“It was a feel-good meeting that didn’t really address any of our problems,” farmer Carolyn Groat said. 

Ms Groat says the key issue is lack of funding, with Telstra reluctant to invest sufficiently in the area as they are concerned about other carriers “piggybacking” on their infrastructure.

Ms Groat says a lack of proper coverage means their business loses money during harvest, as they can’t advertise properly. 

Telstra previously threatened to stop building infrastructure in the Riverina if minor phone carriers are allowed to “piggyback”. The company lambasted an inquiry into mandated roaming forcing it to share network coverage with Optus and Vodafone. 

Area News sought comment from Carolyn’s husband David Groat, Chairman of the Rankins Springs branch of NSW Farmers, but he was working in the paddock and therefore out of mobile range.