Labor's plan for a high-speed fibre to the premises network was ambitious and costly - as it turned out even costlier than it was originally envisaged.

The Coalition's preference for a fibre-to-the-node network was slated as being cheaper. However, the plan to use existing cables meant it failed to provide the infrastructure Australia needs. Not only this, but it was also increasingly costly and has become one of the Abbott-Turnbull government's most unpopular decisions.

High-speed internet is crucial for future economic growth. It is crucial for improvements in education and healthcare. Good infrastructure should be seen as a sound investment not merely a budget cost.

Yet Australia is being dealt out what seems to be a second-rate broadband system.

Not only that, but the rollout has been delayed again and again. The NBN rollout map shows a majority of Canberra residents still don't have access to the network.

No doubt many are angry. Perhaps they should link arms with the Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition (RRRCC), formed late last year to lobby governments and service providers to improve the provision of internet connectivity and mobile phone service to rural areas.

The impacts on the regions are serious. Local economies are hindered. Better communications could boost productivity in agriculture. They would also vastly improve access to health and education services available online elsewhere.

Businesses are also obviously hit by the data drought and the massive mobile black spot problems, particularly in Western NSW. It has been estimated that half of the Parkes federal electorate has black spots.

The regions have been complaining for years. Local politicians have been pushing Canberra to fix the problems.

Certainly, some improvements have been made … but they are nowhere nearly enough. The federal government possibly sees the task of delivering communications equity to the regions as a bottomless money pit.

But, if really top-flight internet and mobile services will generate additional wealth for the nation (and our part of it), Canberra ought to make delivering them an unalterable 2017 resolution.