MOBILE ▶▶▶
Sluggish connections stifle farm progress
Having a fast internet connection is essential in getting the most out of farming technology. Future Farming looks at the challenges growers face around the world and some novel solutions
W
hether it is getting real-time data from in-field disease sensors, combine telematics or accessing web tools, the one
essential ingredient for today’s high-tech farmer is having decent access to the digital superhighway. Farmers tend to operate in more remote
areas and are, therefore, often out of reach of the limited fibre optic network. Even mobile signals can be non-existent and the old- fashioned copper phone wire is slow. It leaves growers cut off, unable to use
internet tools or precision farming software. That’s why some farmers have gone to great lengths – paying for premium satellite services or building their own towers to ensure they are not being left behind in the digital revolution.
AUSTRALIA
Farmers have to fill gaps in patchy connectivity BY EMMA LEONARD
business. It is extremely important to 55%. There are two main options for internet
Providing reliable and cost-effective mobile phone and data coverage is a challenge in a vast and often sparsely populated country such as Australia. While the telecommunication companies
are making progress, farmers and rural communities are working to fill the gaps and ensure network access. A recent survey of 1,000 producers across 12
agricultural sectors identified that for three- quarters of respondents, internet connectivity is moderately to extremely important to their
connectivity in Australia – via the mobile network as 3G or 4G or via the National Broadband Network (NBN). Currently, there are three mobile network
operators, all of which are commercial companies – Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. A further 60 or so companies provide mobile plans run on these networks. In contrast, NBN Co Limited is a
government-owned corporation tasked to design, build and operate Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) as a monopoly
Satellite broadband can work well across
rural Australia, but high cost, slow speeds and restrictive plans limit its appeal
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▶ FUTURE FARMING | 9 November 2017
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