TelSoc Online Event: Kristy Sparrow (BIRRR) and Sam Dimarco (NBN Co)
No Choice, No Voice: How Lack of Competition Has Shaped Regional Connectivity
Wednesday, 19 November 2025 – from 12.30 to 1.30 pm AEDT
TelSoc has pleasure in announcing its next online webinar on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, from 12.30 p.m. with Kristy Sparrow of Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia (BIRRR), and Sam Dimarco, General Manager Regional & Remote, NBN Co. They will share with us insights gained from their work and experience in the telecom sector in regional, rural and remote Australia.
Regional, rural and remote telecommunications have long been shaped by the legacy of a monopoly provider, leaving consumers with limited choice and low awareness of what is available to them. Layered on top is a confusing maze of protections, obligations, rules, legislation and regulatory instruments that even industry struggles to navigate. Combined with the complexity of regional telecommunications technologies, retail plans and frequent migrations, this has created a significant barrier to getting and staying connected.
Consumers are often disempowered, unaware of their rights, and unable to overcome these challenges. Kristy Sparrow will explore the barriers — including sales biases, misinformation, procurement issues and a piecemeal approach to regional investment — that have undermined outcomes. She will also introduce the concept of “connectivity literacy” as a pathway to empower consumers and ensure technology upgrades are fully leveraged to deliver real benefits for the bush.
Sam Dimarco will share some examples of what NBN Co is doing to assist with these challenges.
As with all TelSoc lunchtime events, the presentation will be followed by a Q&A session in which TelSoc members and industry colleagues will be able to raise questions and issues – and get some answers. The presentations and the Q&A session will be well worth your while.
Registration process:
- Click on the website telsoc.org/events and select the event “No Choice, No Voice”. Click the “Book a Seat” button and click on “Book” in the pop-up window.
- You will be asked to login (if you are not already). If you are a TelSoc member, login in and your booking will be confirmed. You will receive a confirmatory email.
- If you are not a current financial member, you will be invited to join by creating a new account. Please consider doing so. The objectives of TelSoc and benefits of joining are set out elsewhere on the website. at Membership | Telsoc.
- If you are not a financial member and do not wish to join right now, or if you are having any difficulty registering, please send your name and email contact to jim.holmes@telsoc.org and he will register you manually – provided he hears from you before 5 pm on 18 November 2025.
Date and Time
Wed, 19 Nov 2025
12:30 - 13:30 AEDT
Location
Presenter(s)
Kristy Sparrow lives on a beef cattle property near Alpha in Central Queensland and is widely recognised for her knowledge of regional telecommunications issues and the challenges faced by rural and remote communities. As co-founder of Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia (BIRRR), she has been a leading advocate for inclusive and future-focused solutions to address regional connectivity challenges. Kristy served as Deputy Chair of the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee and was a member of the 2024 Committee, as well as being a founding member of the Rural, Regional & Remote Communications Coalition. She also introduced the concept of “connectivity literacy,” now central to digital inclusion discussions.
Sam Dimarco is General Manager Regional & Remote at NBN Co.
He leads a team that is responsible for connecting people and powering progress within key market segments with the view to stimulate the economy and social wellbeing of regional Australians.
Sam started his 30+ year career in the telecommunications sector designing, building and maintaining networks to later focus on communications and stakeholder relations. Having spent many years focused on Regional Australia, Sam has developed a passion for customer experience and delivering services that positively impact the lives of those in the regions.