Charles Sturt University researcher and senior lecturer Holly Randell-Moon needs residents in Dubbo, Gilgandra, Narromine, Wellington and Peak Hill to complete a questionnaire on smart technologies.

Her research includes examining consumer rights in relation to remote data monitoring and how smart technologies will be implemented in their towns.

"A lot of research and policy focuses on smart technology in cities, and we hope to put some focus on smart tech in rural and regional areas," Dr Randell-Moon, who is based at the Dubbo CSU campus, said.

"The majority of research literature on smart technologies and services focuses on smart 'cities'. Assumptions of smart applications for 'city' areas is evidenced in the Australian Government's Smart Cities and Suburbs Program.

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"Part of the metropolitan dominance is that internet access is assumed for smart capability."

The Regional and Rural Consumers of Smart Technology Questionnaire, which is funded by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, poses pertinent questions for smart technology consumers in the region.

"Have you used a smart app like the COVID safe check-in or had a smart water meter installed on your property?" Dr Randell-Moon asked.

"Who owns your data? You? The government? The manufacturer of the app? Take the questionnaire and learn about your smart tech rights."

The answers to the smart technology questionnaire will provide information on the digital experiences, and smart literacy of regional and rural telecommunications consumers, which will be used to better understand how smart services can be applied.

"Regional areas have witnessed the gradual implementation of smart technologies ranging from smart water meters to wi-fi access points to gather traffic data," Dr Randell-Moon said.

One example is Dubbo Regional Council which is connecting 17,700 homes and 2300 businesses to smart water metres.

Dr Randell-Moon said regional and rural telecommunications consumers were one of the least understood market segments for smart services with reliability and capability reported as significant issues.

Five locational case studies have been selected for the project: Dubbo, Gilgandra, Wellington, Peak Hill and Narromine.

Completing the questionnaire will enable participants to go into the draw to win either a $200 JB Hi-Fi or Woolworths voucher. Participants will also unlock five unique facts about the participating towns.

The Regional and Rural Consumers of Smart Technology Questionnaire can be undertaken by going to smartregions.csu.domains.