This paper explores the impact of 3G mobile phones on Indigenous communities in remote Australia, focusing on how these technologies assist in bridging the digital divide. It highlights community-driven projects that leverage mobile access to enhance cultural engagement and communication while preserving Indigenous culture. The research emphasizes the importance of collaboration and the potential for creative development through locative media.

1. Remotely connected,
remotely creative:
Leapfrogging the
digital divide
Tracey Benson
Adjunct Postdoctoral Fellow
The Australian National University
School of Music
bytetime@gmail.com

2. Abstract
What does locative media from remote
Australian Indigenous communities look like?
How does access to 3G mobile phones impact
communications? What media is being
created on these devices?
This paper discusses some of the strategies
and technologies being used in remote
Australia to leapfrog the digital divide; scoping
the potential to introduce tools that encourage
creative development and collaborative
cultural engagement focused on skills sharing.

3. Background

Interest in accessible and usable web design for
flexible delivery

Massive takeup of 3G phones in remote
Indigenous communities

Volunteering for Indigenous Community
Volunteers

4. Identifying a potential need

The National Broadband Network is user pays
and will not be available in many areas

People are already leapfrogging the digital
divide in areas where there is 3G access

Increased access to online communities via
mobiles facilitate a range of benefits – preserving
culture, increasing literacy, communicating with
family

5. Some facts and figures

6. Cultural need for appropriate
engagement

The benefits of working collaboratively

Projects driven by community need and owned
by the community

Why is it so important?

7. Relevant research

Massive takeup of 3G phones in remote
Indigenous communities even where there is no
coverage

One study reported that in three communities
where there was no mobile network access that
an average of 60% of residents owned a mobile
phone

8. A mobile revolution
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BZ47884msw

9. Indigenous owned
media production

10. About RIPIA: Remote Indigenous
Public Internet Access
In 2010 the Project
was delivered to 19
Indigenous
communities. In
2011 the Project
will be delivered to
40 Indigenous
communities
including the 19
communities from
2010.

11. NT Library Wiki

12. Acknowledements
Community software

13. Social Media
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-MucVWo-Pw

14. Next Steps

Focusing on collaboration with people in
remote communities to co-create tools for
sharing culture and promoting community
projects

Working closely with RIPIA communities

Monitoring implementation of 3G and
satellite broadband networks

16. This diagram is a great
representation of the
research process so
far – except I haven't
quite made it to the
end yet!!

17. Acknowledgements
Thanks to Martin Drury, Bronwyn Pollock, Andrew,
Taylor, Nicholas Kirlew, Jim Best, Metta Young, Susan
Schuller, Julie Hodgkinson, Aaron Corn, Catherine
Wohlan, Clare Maclean, Inge Kral, Fiona Sivyer, and
Liam Campbell