In four out of seven farm deaths on the NSW southern tablelands over recent years, there was no mobile reception to raise the alarm.
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"That is a horrific thought: to have to leave because you can't get mobile reception to call for help," Regional Tech Hub manager Jennifer Medway told AAP.
The hub, a federal government initiative run by the National Farmers' Federation and the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, is on a mission to help rural people understand how to get connected.
The independent and free support service helps rural Australians overcome technical issues and navigate a multitude of satellite, fixed wireless and mobile options.
After 18 months of operation and 100,000 requests for help across the country, the hub received $6 million in the October federal budget to expand its service.
Along with the influential volunteer group Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia, the hub wants to turn the narrative about country connectivity on its head.
Ms Medway said while two-thirds of the Australian landmass doesn't have mobile coverage, new technology is improving access, though awareness remains low.
"Back in the day people were saying 'government, put a tower up, fix my connectivity'.
"Now anyone who can see the sky can get a satellite service."
But some may be influenced by past bad experiences with providers and technology, or rely too heavily on community information.
"Just because your neighbour can get a service doesn't mean you can - there might be a hill, or just one tree that will stop you.
"We do the legwork, we can search all the options you've got."
A rural telecommunications report released by the coalition government this year urged for connectivity to be given the same priority as energy and roads.
An Infrastructure Australia review in March said it was in the top five gaps in regional areas, alongside housing, water security, education and public transport.
Launching the hub's Connectivity Month campaign, Ms Medway said work to improve connectivity literacy is critical for regional Australia's future.
"We want the regions to be a great place to come and live and work but if we don't have good connectivity, that argument falls in a hole.
"It's a furphy that we should expect a worse internet service just because we live regionally."
Australian Associated Press
