ECU to research Mid West broadband uptake
Thursday, 19 August 2010
ECU to research Mid West broadband uptake
How people living in rural Western Australia interact with internet technologies will be identified in a study being undertaken by ECU researchers and the Mid West Development Commission (MWDC).
ECU School of Management Senior Lecturer Dr Phil Dobson said the study is particularly timely, with the laying of fibre optic cable from Perth to Geraldton already underway.
“This fibre optic cable will allow the use of “super fast” broadband in the region,” Dr Dobson said. “To understand what factors might prevent its adoption by local residents and businesses, we’ll be interviewing existing users (and non-users) of currently available broadband.”
The study will initially focus on the small community of Morawa near Geraldton – an area with excellent tourism facilities and attractions, strong business incentives and a recently revitalised mining industry.
“Morawa has had access to ADSL broadband for some time,” Dr Dobson said, “and should be an ideal environment to give us an understanding of regional broadband adoption.
“For the purposes of the study, we’ll divide potential users into households and businesses with and without a dial-up connection, and look at government service providers separately.
“We’re doing the study for several reasons: to make a practical and social contribution by identifying and analysing local inhibitors to broadband uptake; to work with MWDC to develop strategies to demonstrate the value of these technologies for rural residents; and to encourage their uptake.
“The economic and social benefits of broadband are well recognised, and the opportunities provided by super-fast broadband are substantial, so it’s in the interests of this growing and prosperous community to be aware of the positive outcomes its widespread adoption could bring.”
When the initial study of Morawa has been completed, the research will be extended to the City of Geraldton-Greenough.
ECU Researchers for the study include Dr Phil Dobson, Dr Paul Jackson and Dr Denise Gengatharen from the Faculty of Business and Law’s School of Management and they will work closely with staff from industry partner MWDC.
The six-month project will get underway in September.