Zetifi, the Australian start-up behind the technology, estimates poor mobile reception and internet coverage could reduce farm profitability by about $5/hectare across the grain belt of the Wimmera/Mallee region, equivalent to $15,000 a year for the average (3000 ha) Victorian grain property.
Cameron and Rachel Ferrier farm 1600 ha between Birchip and Sea Lake in the southern Mallee, and said Zetifi’s technology allowed them to make phone calls and access the internet across about 85 per cent of the farm, compared to about 60 per cent previously.
“Every second counts in farming, and at sowing, harvest or when you’ve got a couple of hundred tonnes of fertiliser to spread before it rains, even the slightest delays can cost you thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars,” Mr Ferrier said.
“You don’t want to be running around the farm trying to find reception or dropping calls to suppliers or truck drivers.”
The pair took part in a pilot study testing the company’s long-range solar-powered wi-fi hotspots and portable wi-fi repeaters.
“Using the gateway, I can comfortably make phone calls and access the internet from anywhere inside the house as well as the shearing shed and workshop,” Mr Ferrier said.
“Using the Rover, I can also make calls from here to Sea Lake or Swan Hill, which there was no way I could do before. It’s made a huge difference to use.”
Zetifi founder Dan Winson said reliable internet coverage was an “enormous challenge” for countries around the world.
“We recognise the challenges and frustrations poor connectivity presents to farmers, who are being offered increasingly sophisticated technology in the likes of agricultural machinery but lack the access to the connectivity to take full advantage of it,” Mr Winson said.
“We know access to reliable internet and phone coverage is a game-changer for these areas, increasing productivity and profitability for farm businesses, as well as enhancing quality of life and the safety of rural residents, particularly on the farm and on the roads.”
With this new injection of funds, Mr Winson is ready to spread the innovations that worked in rural Victoria to farms across the country and the world.
“Connectivity is not only an issue for rural and regional Australia, it’s an enormous challenge for countries around the world, including the United States,” he said.
