Wednesday, 23 September 2020 14:20

How much of a problem is slow rural internet?

Written by  Staff Reporters
Federated Farmers say many new technologies employed on farms require connectivity. Federated Farmers say many new technologies employed on farms require connectivity.

Federated Farmers’ latest connectivity survey offers a glimpse into how common slow internet is for rural families and businesses.

Around 68% of the survey’s respondents have download speeds of 20Mbps or less, and nearly 24% are enduring download speeds of just 0-5Mbps.

"We had nearly 900 responses from our members from every farm type and geographical spread but a bitter irony was that several more couldn’t complete the on-line questions because they didn’t have internet access or connectivity was too patchy or slow," Federated Farmers president and telecommunications spokesperson Andrew Hoggard said.

"While around a third are on unlimited download monthly plans, many of those on capped plans complain they’d like to go unlimited but their ISP - often their only choice of ISP - doesn’t provide that option.

"It’s interesting that a number of respondents told us that during the level 4 COVID-19 lockdown some providers extended unlimited downloads to them. This would seem to indicate it’s not technical issues getting in the way of offering unlimited plans to these rural clients," said Hoggard.

Around one in three farms surveyed said only up to 50% of their farm gets a mobile connection. Almost a quarter get 25% of farm coverage or less.

"And yet 92% of these farmers had a smartphone, and around 75% told us they use smartphone apps to support the farm business," said Hoggard.

While in many of the connectivity measures there have been improvements since the Feds’ 2019 survey, it’s usually only by a percent or two.

"The task ahead is less one of pushing broadband into ever more isolated and remote locations and more one of addressing the gaps in coverage and constraints on capacity of earlier builds. More targeted investment towards bespoke builds would go a long way towards addressing connection speed and reliability concerns," said Hoggard.

"Competition is a concern with many members finding they only have the one provider and have to take it or leave it as regards price and quality of service.

"We’ve got to achieve faster improvements in this space."

Federated Farmers say many of the new technologies employed on farms, whether cloud software or smartphone applications, require connectivity to realise and maximise the benefits of their use to the farm business.

The farmer lobby says farmers are also increasingly expected to engage electronically with business services and government agencies, such as banks, IRD and local councils. It says that just like urban families, the farm owner’s home - and the on-farm houses of staff - have partners and children trying to get on-line to look up information, do homework and engage in social media.

"Connectivity is a vital means of connecting with loved ones and maintaining relationships beyond the farm gate. This is especially relevant for the families of those who work on the farm that would otherwise struggle with geographical isolation, and is a factor in securing and retaining farm staff and their families," said Hoggard.

More like this

'A complete dog

OPINION: It's not just a rural banking inquiry that farmers want. Freshwater farm plans are another major headache for farmers.

Action, not words

OPINION: The new Government may be farmer friendly, but it's not love, rather action that farmers want.

Drought classification welcome news - Feds

Federated Farmers Marlborough Province says it welcomes the announcement yesterday that current dry weather in the top of the South Island would be classified as a medium-scale adverse event.

Featured

Govt urged to reduce ETS units

The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as possible.

Dairy sheep, goat woes mount

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Alliance's Pure South cuts win gold

Meat co-operative Alliance Group has bagged four gold medals at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, achieving top honours for every cut entered.

Dairy demand on the rise

There is increasing evidence that dairy demand is on the upswing, according to Rabobank senior agricultural analyst Emma Higgins.

National

Machinery & Products

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…

Kubota tests diesel engines

Kubota last month used the UK LAMMA Show to test the water with its new 200hp, four-cylinder 09-series diesel engines.

Claas rings up some big numbers

The Claas Group finished fiscal year 2023 with a substantial leap in sales that reflected the high demand for agricultural…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Too late?

OPINION: Your canine crusader reckons moves by the new government to try and breathe new life into the country's ailing…

Going rogue!

OPINION: This old mutt suggests the new government is going to have to move fast to rein in a number…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter