Half of the remote Indigenous communities and homelands across Australia do not have access to mobile services, a study has found.
While internet access has improved, 796 of 1505 remote and very remote communities across Australia still lack access to mobile services, the Mapping the Digital Gap report found.
The study conducted by RMIT researchers found a 12 per cent increase in internet access since 2022 alongside a 19 per cent increase in regular internet use in remote communities.
The research team visited 12 Indigenous communities, and lead investigator Daniel Featherstone said more than 60 per cent of people surveyed are using the internet several times a day.
“It’s an improvement but there's still 14 per cent of non-internet users and many sites still struggle with patchy, slow and unreliable services," Dr Featherstone said.
Close to 70 per cent of the people surveyed reported they had to make sacrifices or cut back on other costs to afford internet access, up from 40 per cent in 2022.
Almost all (99 per cent) of mobile phone users said they rely on prepaid credit charges, with low or unreliable incomes limiting uptake of monthly plans.
“As access to mobile technology slowly improves, we’re finding affordability is still a critical barrier to digital inclusion,” Dr Featherstone said.
Engagement online with music, videos and games has risen 17 per cent since 2022, and social media use to connect with family and friends was high.
The use of online banking, government services and online shopping also increased.
“This highlights that First Nations people are engaging in online activities that are relevant to their lives and communities, despite significant barriers around access and affordability,” Dr Featherstone said.
While internet use in some communities had reduced, researchers said it could be due to a 19 per cent drop in the number of households that own computers.
Lack of identification and two-factor authentication plus regular changes in mobile numbers and low use of email impacted online engagement, the study found.
A lack of digital support, poor accessibility and English literacy, and concerns about scams and cyber-safety issues were also among the factors impacting engagement online.
“With so many communities, more expansive programs for digital skills, support and online safety awareness are needed," Dr Featherstone said.
“Without this, the gap in digital ability is likely to further widen, particularly in a period of rapid digital transformation to online service delivery and withdrawal of face-to-face services.”
The study was funded by Telstra and the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society.
