Illegal internet boosters block rural access, adding insult to injury for farmers with poor coverage

Access to the internet and a phone service are basic requirements to run a business, but both are in short supply in many rural communities. With mobile black spots across the rural countryside, and residents already stressed by unreliable access to internet, additional connectivity problems are seen to be adding insult to injury. According to Ms Lyons, she has not had reliable internet and mobile phone coverage for the past four months, and she said Telstra, her service provider, had not given adequate assistance to help to sort out the problem. Mrs Lyons said the technician told her the internet problem had been caused by interference from internet repeaters which did not comply with Australian specifications. Difficult problem to resolve Telstra Countrywide north-west regional manager Catherine Smith said the internet and mobile interference at Gulargambone had proved difficult to resolve.