Any confusion about mobile network access for rural users will be over in less than a fortnight: after April 28, you will be able to use Telstra's Next G network, or you won't.
With the closure of the CDMA network on April 28 now a fact, the next question is how well Telstra will support rural mobile users with inadequate Next G service.
NSW Farmers Association president, Jock Laurie, acknowledges that problems still exist, but is optimistic that Telstra is committed to addressing ongoing issues despite the fact that the CDMA network closure leaves rural phone users without any political leverage on Telstra.
"(Telstra Country Wide NSW State manager) Brett Riley and his team have worked pretty hard to address the issues to date, and I don't see any likelihood of that changing," Mr Laurie said.
His own assessment is that some users are better off under Next G, some are worse off, "and a big band in the middle have service equal to the service that had with CDMA".
President of the South Australian Farmers Federation (SAFF), Wayne Cornish, is similarly happy with his organisation's ability to work with Telstra Country Wide in his State.
"In terms of our ability to put a foot on Telstra's neck, so as to speak, we've never had a complete impasse with Telstra," Mr Cornish said.
"I'd have to say that the people we're dealing with are sincere about making the network as good as it can possibly be."
Mr Laurie and Mr Cornish believe there will be an ongoing effort to fix reception issues where practicable, and that nothing would have been gained by attempting to stall the CDMA network closure again.
"We're dealing with a reality that might be unpalatable, but it's with us," Mr Cornish said.
SOURCE: The Land, NSW.
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