Enhancing connectivity in Queensland: a case study approach to collaborative strategies for social impact in rural, regional and remote communities

Purpose To highlight the consequences of fragmented planning, ineffective investment and a lack of strategic oversight in telecommunications decisions across rural, regional and remote (RRR) Queensland. This paper aims to demonstrate how these issues can lead to poor outcomes, increased costs and low take-up of services. Case studies identify the urgent need for informed, collaborative, strategic and collective approaches to regional telecommunications that prioritise community engagement, independent advice and forward-thinking investment strategies. Design/methodology/approach Partnering with industry experts, this paper used a participatory and relationships approach through story-based evaluation (Dart and Davies, 2003) of Government-led independent review submissions, anecdotal conversations and Netnography (Kozinets and Kozinets, 2015) to assess the effectiveness of current Government telecommunications investment in Queensland. Findings The paper provides useful examples of how procurement issues, lack of collaboration and fragmented planning can lead to poorly tailored solutions and low levels of telecommunications take-up, directly impacting the quality of public services and the safety of RRR residents. It highlights the difficulty in getting Government services and housing connected in RRR areas and underscores the need for streamlined and efficient procurement processes that prioritise the needs of consumers and businesses. Addressing procurement challenges and implementing appropriate planning, engagement and investment strategies, Governments can ensure essential telecommunication services in remote areas are not compromised, ultimately contributing to the social impact of residents in remote communities. Research limitations/implications Story-based evaluation has limitations, such as potential subjectivity, difficulty in generalising findings and challenges in data analysis, which may be evident in this paper. Practical implications Addressing procurement challenges and implementing appropriate planning, engagement and investment strategies, governments can ensure essential telecommunication services in remote areas are not compromised, ultimately contributing to the social impact of residents in remote communities. Originality/value Drawing on lived experiences of RRR people, this paper provides insight needed for a more strategic, inclusive, collaborative and community-focused approach to telecommunications investment and planning in Queensland. Addressing systemic issues will ensure that investments lead to sustainable, high-quality connectivity solutions that meet the unique needs of RRR communities.