Today, Kristy Sparrow’s internet connectivity is a very different story. Lobbying for the quality of country internet and simplifying the often confusing world of bush broadband options and issues is the work of Kristy’s organisation Rural, Regional and Remote Australia for Better Internet (BIRRR). Alongside Kylie Stretton from Charters Towers, Kristy built the business in 2014. The ‘one-stop’ shop for all things bush telecommunications, BIRRR offers support, independent advice, advocacy and negotiates the often confusing bush broadband options and issues.
BIRRR now has over 13,000 members across the country. It’s had some huge wins including advocating for nbn Sky Muster Plus which Kristy describes as a ‘game changer’ for many regional people. In her own home town, Alpha residents now have access to the NBN via a FttP (Fibre to the Premises) connection, one of the very few communities in Australia to have this level of service access thanks to her work with the Barcaldine Regional Council in applying for a Federal Government Regional Connectivity Program grant.
Regional telecommunication remains an issue right across Western Queensland and rural Australia but Kristy is determined to ensure small communities aren’t left behind in the progression to the digital age.
Local mayor Sean Dillon paid special tribute to Kristy Sparrow for her tireless advocacy.
“Kristy has developed a unique understanding of communication issues in regional Australia and her knowledge and drive led this project to the level where it was mature enough to receive funding,” Sean said.
So when it comes to advocating for change in regional communities to the powers that be, how has BIRRR been so successful? By using more honey than vinegar.
“We believe in respectful advocacy. There's no point getting angry and irate at people that can actually make change in this space,” Kristy says.
“We believe first of all in identifying what the actual issue is, and second, who can solve that issue for you. And finally, we do the research and offer solutions because often the people that can make the decisions aren't aware of practical solutions for regional people.”
It can be a confusing area for many people and while we’ve all heard the term ‘digital literacy’, Kristy says it’s not that simple. In her experience, it’s not people who can’t send emails who reach out for BIRRR’s help. It’s a mixture of people, including intelligent, digital savvy people who simply don’t know how to get connected to the right technology, find a good provider and choose the right plan.
BIRRR recently advocated for a digital hub to take over the volunteer role they have been performing for the past seven years. In late 2020 the Regional tech Hub was established, operated by the National Farmers Federation, and BIRRR is in the process of passing on all its independent troubleshooting advice to the newly formed hub.
Kristy recalls a couple in their 80s who were ‘like kids in a candy shop’ after BIRRR stepped in. The couple was operating on very poor 3G but after being hooked up to nbn Sky Muster, they spent the first three weeks in internet paradise.
“They Netflixed, bought cattle on AuctionsPlus, watched the AFL grand final on Kayo and then rang and said ‘it’s really slow’,” Kristy said.
“I had put them on a really low plan because I didn’t think they would ever use that much data but they said ‘this is great, we’ve never done anything like this before’ so we upped the plan and they haven’t looked back.”
In a post-pandemic world, regional Australia is booming. In 2020 enough people in NSW alone moved from the cities to create a second Cobar. Just like water, sewerage and electricity, BIRRR believes connectivity is just another essential piece of the bush’s infrastructure.
“People just want to be able to use their connection like they would anywhere they lived,” Kristy says.
“There’s no reason why people shouldn’t have that.”