Major gaps in coverage of the NBN and mobile phones have been identified in the North East when compared to metropolitan areas.
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The Ovens Murray Regional Partnership this week released its digital plan, which it said would be used to advocate to governments for funding to help reduce what it says is a "digital divide".
It found Chiltern and Sawmill Settlement, near Mount Buller, had a "major supply shortfall" for fixed NBN access.
Fourteen other areas - Wodonga, Albury, Wangaratta, Benalla, Mansfield, Beechworth, Myrtleford, Bright, Rutherglen, Baranduda, Mount Beauty-Tawonga South, Corryong, Yackandandah and Oxley - also had a "supply shortage".
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The OMRP found many businesses were unaware of the benefits digital technology could provide, but the exception was the health industry.
Tele-health technology at Alpine Health was used as an example, where someone who suffers a heart attack in Bright, Mount Beauty or Myrtleford could be admitted to their closest hospital, while being remotely monitored by Ambulance Victoria and specialists at Wangaratta hospital.
An analysis of 4G mobile coverage maps found service was "generally good" in population centres, but stories of the "lived experience" of people was very different.
"There is a persistent and significant divide in the quality of mobile services available to regional users compared to metropolitan users with important implications for public safety, economic development and general liveability," the report stated.
While the region is increasingly being recognised for its achievements in digital innovation, many people are being left behind.
- Irene Grant and Susan Benedyka
OMRP chair Irene Grant and digital portfolio lead Susan Benedyka said they hoped the plan would be the first step in a longer process to reduce the digital divide.
"Technology is moving fast and whilst the region is increasingly being recognised for its achievements in digital innovation, many people are being left behind," they said.
"The data tells us that many people in our region don't have basic digital skills and are not engaging with digital technology.
"This is a major concern, as we are increasingly required to go online for our everyday living and work needs."