Farmers are urging Sydneysiders to prepare for worse mobile phone services as they embark on road trips around NSW this Easter long weekend.
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said it was critical those in the cities prepared themselves for the poor - or non-existent - mobile phone services plaguing farming communities as they packed up to visit destinations across rural and regional NSW.
"We are so excited to welcome our city friends back into the country for the Easter holidays, but things might not be the way you remember them," Mr Martin said.
"The shutdown of the 3G phone network has been a downgrade - not an upgrade - and it has created a lot of new blackspots, while congestion on the 4G network means even when you have bars you might have slow service.
"If you or your kids want to be able to watch your favourite shows, or listen to music or podcasts, it's best to download them to your devices before you leave home."
The warning for holiday makers came as NSW Farmers encouraged people across the state to write to political candidates and raise the issue of poor connectivity during the federal election campaign.
"This is a safety issue, it's a liveability issue, it's a business issue," Mr Martin said.
"If this was happening to people in Sydney it would have been fixed immediately, so why should the people who literally feed the nation be treated any differently?
"We want the major parties to outline their practical plans to fix this problem, and for people to vote accordingly."
While being disconnected from social media might cause teenagers more chills than the cool Easter mornings, Mr Martin said it did present a great opportunity to unwind and reconnect with the real Australia.
"As farmers we're truly blessed to be part of this beautiful landscape, and you'd be shocked at how quickly the kids forget the phone and instead go searching for possums after dinner or looking for a platypus in the creek," Mr Martin said.
"Tell the kids they might not be able to jump on social media or stream their favourite show when they're out here in the country, but they will get some cracking photos to share once they're back home."
