What is the Telecommunications Industry

The telecommunications industry covers a number of areas including cabling, wireless, switching, transmission, RF and optical communications, media and IP networks.

Advances in digital and IP networking technologies have had a dramatic effect on the demand for better, faster and more bandwidth for ICT communications to serve the Australian economy and community.

 These applications include:

• Escalating use of social networking applications such as facebook, wikis and twitter

• Smart homes and home integration technologies

• Increasing use of IP technologies such as VoIP, IPTV and smart phones

• The proliferation of home networks, home entertainment and smart home technologies

• Superior and more advanced broadband networks such as the NBN. These initiatives will boost the Australian economy through eHealth, eEducation, eTravel and hospitality

• New approaches to media distribution through the internet

• The switchover to the new digital economy

One of the major Australian Government initiatives for the telecommunications industry is the National Broadband Network (NBN). This represents the largest ever infrastructure project undertaken in this country which will deliver high speed broadband to all Australians. The NBN will involve the laying of fibre optic cabling to at least 90 per cent of Australian homes, schools and businesses, capable of delivering speeds of 100 megabits per second, or up to 100 times faster than many people experience today.

Another major initiative is the switching over to digital television. By the end of 2013, all free-to-air television broadcasters in Australia will have converted from analog to digital transmission. As broadcasting is one of the most powerful ways of delivering information, entertainment and education the government is taking an active role in enhancing the quality and diversity of television and radio broadcasting services for all Australians. The switch to digital television will free up scarce spectrum, which new communications services such as high-speed wireless broadband can use.