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The impact of ICT developments on the telecommunications sector

The impact of ICT developments on the telecommunications sector. Colin Oliver General Manager, International Branch Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Overview. Mapping the new environment: Opportunities and challenges Policy objectives

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The impact of ICT developments on the telecommunications sector

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  1. The impact of ICT developments on the telecommunications sector Colin Oliver General Manager, International Branch Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts

  2. Overview • Mapping the new environment: • Opportunities and challenges • Policy objectives • The Australian Environment: cities, suburbs, regional and rural • General policy options and Australian Government Response

  3. Telecommunications Quality of Service Universal connectivity User-friendly Slow technological change Secure Inertia – slow to change Major investment by carriers in the core network Information technology ‘Best efforts’ quality Limited connectivity Services for specific users Rapid technological change Insecure Creative, innovative Major investment by users in terminal devices & services The new environment

  4. NGN challenges • Convergence of ICT & IP technology with public networks • Variety of integrated services • Broadband platforms – higher costs for networks • High demand for quality • Mid & long term investment challenges • Technology change/ consumer demands outpace institutional development & policy response • New competition issues • New consumer issues

  5. NGN: key directions NGNs support IP-based applications and services NGN access networksprovide bandwidth NGN core network simple structure  (“pancakes, not noodles”)

  6. Opportunities & policy objectives • Economic development and productivity • Improved business performance and international competitiveness • Increase in civic participation • Improved government service delivery

  7. Policy & regulatory measures Competitive market • Need to avoid distorting the market • Preference for industry solutions Competition policy • Structures for access regime • Deals with abuse of market power • Operational separation • Leadership • Government services • Converged regulator • Targeted funding

  8. The Australian context

  9. Business networks • Fixed networks “the infrastructure of globalisation” • Underpinning outsourcing • Enterprise networks – virtual private networks • Voice and video conferencing • Electronic mail and messaging • Common “look and feel” in each office • A highly competitive global market • Cellular mobile is distinct • Voice with some messaging • Little use for enterprise applications • Corporate mobility is achieved by: • Wi-Fi hot-spots, fixed broadband and dial -up From Ewan SutherlandITU-GSR Presentation

  10. Australian cities • Competitive market - private sector investment • 157 telecommunications carrier licences - including local operators • High speed broadband networks • More than 600 internet service providers • Cost-based interconnection • Specialised business services • Rapid innovation

  11. Beyond the cities Sparse population & large areas high costs of coverage Australia Connected - key elements - • A new national wholesale network: OPEL will extend high speed broadband to 99 per cent of households and businesses using a mix of fibre optic, ADSL2+ and wireless broadband. • Supporting initiatives: Australian Broadband Guarantee; Broadband Now, Communications Fund.

  12. Australian suburbs Most Australians live in suburbs • Policy framework - Competition & safety nets • New commercial high speed broadband infrastructure for cities and larger regional centres via an open and transparent competitive assessment process, public consultation, and subsequent legislation - Assessment conducted by an Expert Task Force

  13. Policy options • Many market players – • Focus on facilitating innovation • Competition to maximise choice and welfare • Few market players – • Focus on managing relationships • Intervention to maximise choice and welfare • Avoid abuse of market power • Maximise competition for services and applications • Questions of risk, balance, transparency • Scope for industry-based solutions

  14. Responsive government framework Australian Government’s Policy principles: Open competition designed to encourage new markets entrants and reduce barriers to competition, investment and innovation Technology neutrality (e.g., no distinction between fixed and mobile licences) Industry-based solutions with a strong emphasis on industry self-regulation Separation of policy formation and regulation Sound resource management of spectrum & numbers

  15. Australia’s institutional arrangements for regulation MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE ARTS Senator the Hon Helen Coonan Content Carriage POLICY ADVICE INDUSTRY BODIES WITH CO-REGULATORY FUNCTIONS INDUSTRY BODIES WITH CO-REGULATORY FUNCTIONS Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Free TV Australia(Commercial Television Industry Body) Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman GOVERNMENT REGULATORS Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Communications Alliance (formerly ACIF) Australian Subscription TV and Radio Association (ASTRA) Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) OPERATORS • Carriers • Telephone Service Providers • Internet Service Providers • Broadcast Transmission • Providers • National Broadcasters • Commercial Broadcasters • Community Broadcasters • Subscription Broadcasters • Narrowcasters Internet Industry Association (IIA) Industry & User Groups Consumer Groups USERS Regulation Accountability

  16. Policy reviews: Universal Service Obligation (2007) Broadband Review by Expert Task Force (2007) Regional services (2008) Telecommunication competition framework (2009) Recent reports: Voice over IP Converged devices Current studies: Spectrum management Next generation networks Australian government reviews and studies

  17. Changing approaches to consumer issues Consumer protections & price controls designed for telephone services Question of applicability to NGN and broadband New problems and responses Protecting Australian Families Online (PAFO), Do Not Call, Anti-Spam, Convergent Devices Protection

  18. Closing remarks The Way Forward…. Focus on economic competitiveness, innovation, and consumer welfare Establish good process and consult widely Strengthen Government policy and regulatory capacity Monitor market power in new services and markets Explore and support industry solutions and self-regulatory options Regulation not a gate keeper: focus on general objectives – security, consumer protection etc.

  19. Thank you Colin Oliver General Manager, International Branch Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Artswww.dcita.gov.au

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