Friday, October 02, 2009

Australian Telecommunications Reform

The Australian Telecommunications Users Group (ATUG) is hosting "Focus Forum on 2009 Telecommunications Reform Package" at NICTA in Canberra on 14 October. I will be speaking for the Australian Computer Society on what the Australian Government and industry should be doing. The National Broadband Network has implications for the telecommunications and broadcasting industry and changes will be needed if the community is to get an economic and social return on this large investment.

In 2007 I talked in Tasmania about "Demystifying Broadband options for Tasmania". This cast doubt on the feasibility of the then national government's broadband strategy. That strategy was replaced by the new government with its NBN strategy. A few weeks ago I returned to Tasmania and asked what the new network could be used for in "Green Broadband Jobs". The ACS does it bit by exporting green education online from Tasmania.

One element missing from the national telecommunications strategy is access to affordable wireless data networks. There is a profound change happening now in the way people use the Internet. It is changing from a fixed to wireless service and low cost smart phones and netbooks become available. This will change how education, government and business is done. This change will become apparent during 2010. Telcos charging monopoly prices to artificiality restrict access to wireless Internet would impede internationally in this new part of the economy.

The forum will also be at other cities:
ATUG 2009 Focus Forum - Perspectives on the Telecom Reforms Package

CANBERRA

14th October

NICTA Research Laboratory, 7 London Circuit, Canberra

12.30 Light Lunch
1.00pm – 1.15pm Welcome – Forum Chair, David Swift, ATUG Chairman
1.15pm – 1.45pm Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy Perspective
1.45 pm – 2.15am Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Speaker
2.15 pm– 2.45 pm Holly Raiche – Executive Director, Internet Society of Australia
2.45pm – 3.30pm Afternoon Tea
3.30pm-4.00 pm Gibson Quai AAS Speaker
4.00pm – 4.30pm Ravi Bhatia – CEO Primus Telecom
4.30pm – 5pm Forum Wrap up and Conclusion

Cost: ATUG Members and Guests $100.00 incl. GST
Non Member $175.00 incl. GST

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