Minister's message
Welcome to the second issue of Communications News.
Broadband is increasingly seen as critical for both business and individuals to operate in a modern global economy—whether you use it to check your email, download movies or run your business.
The Australian Government has recognised the importance of broadband to all Australians and so has taken a strategic approach to ensuring everyone can access the technology they need at a price they can afford.
The $1.1 billion Connect Australia package to give Australians faster broadband, better mobile phone coverage and to ensure our schools, hospitals and universities have better communications services is a key part of this approach. As is the $2 billion Communications Fund the Australian Government has invested to ensure we can afford to upgrade communications services in the future.
But we must also ensure that investment in communications infrastructure made by the private sector, as well as state, territory and local governments, is done in a strategic and targeted way so none of the money is wasted and Australians get the services they need and want.
This is where the Australian Government's Broadband Blueprint comes in. The Blueprint provides valuable facts on Australia's broadband performance as well as what each government is doing to further improve broadband take-up and speeds.
The Blueprint will help to coordinate efforts across all jurisdictions, with clearly defined roles for Australian, state, territory and local governments to ensure that Australia becomes a world leader in the effective use of broadband.
But the telecommunications industry also has a part to play. I recently welcomed the announcement by Optus that it would invest up to $800 million to boost the capabilities of its 3G mobile communications network and extend it to 96 per cent of the population. Optus joins Telstra, Vodafone and ‘3’ as 3G providers.
Next generation networks enable consumers to access advanced voice and data services that can support innovative applications such as wireless broadband and video phone services and consumers are increasingly demanding the always-on, anywhere freedom that next generation networks offer.
Investments such as this and Telstra's investment in its 3G network show the system is working well and by encouraging competition and choice in the telecommunications market, the Australian Government is helping to deliver lower prices and better services for Australian consumers.
Also in this issue of Communications News you can read about the additional funding the ABC will receive for more local content, how the ‘use it or lose it’ guidelines will ensure Australians get to see more sport on television, we will introduce the new Chair of the ABC Mr Maurice Newman AC, show how you can improve your e-security and we also profile the media and telecommunications regulator—the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
I hope you enjoy the second issue of Communications News.
Kind Regards,
HELEN COONAN
Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the ArtsDeputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
$19 million to further build on local and regional broadcasting initiative
I was pleased to recently announce more than $19 million in additional funding to support and strengthen the delivery of ABC services to regional Australia.
This funding increases the national broadcaster's capacity to provide locally relevant television and radio coverage for all Australians.
Since it began in 2000–01, the Regional and Local Programming initiative has seen more ABC regional radio stations, increased radio and television program production in regional areas and expanded online content.
The initiative has commissioned 1235 hours of television, an additional 9400 hours per year of new local radio content and funded four new regional radio stations. Australian Government funding for the ABC is at record levels and over this triennium the ABC will receive more than $2.5 billion in funding.
New TV guidelines a win for sports fans
To ensure that Australians get to see more sport on television I recently released ‘use it or lose it’ guidelines that will apply to sporting events on the anti-siphoning list.
The anti-siphoning scheme was introduced so that sporting events of national significance would continue to be available on free-to-air television after the introduction of pay television.
Under the anti-siphoning scheme, free to air broadcasters have first access to the television rights of listed events—but this does not force them to buy those rights, or to show the events live.
The new ‘use it or lose it’ guidelines mean that listed events that do not receive adequate coverage, or which are not acquired by free to air broadcasters, may be considered for permanent (or partial) removal from the anti-siphoning list to ensure they get shown to the widest audience possible.
New ABC Chair appointed
Mr Maurice Newman AC has started his five year term as the Chair of the Board of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation after his appointment was announced late last year.
I believe Mr Newman's considerable experience across the corporate and community sectors and his previous experience as a Director on the ABC Board has him well placed to lead a national broadcaster.
The position of Chairman of the ABC will continue to play an important role as the ABC, like all broadcasters, faces the challenges of an increasingly converged and global media landscape in the drive towards digital broadcasting in Australia.
Mr Newman succeeds Mr Donald McDonald AC, who retired as Chair of the ABC on 31 December 2006. Mr McDonald had served as Chair since 24 July 1996.
Read more about the achievements of Mr Donald McDonald or the appointment of Mr Maurice Newman.
Phone and PC precautions
After Christmas, there will be many people enjoying using new mobile phones, computers or other high tech gadgets that they may have received as gifts or purchased over the holidays.
But a new phone may also raise concerns about the potential for costly mobile phone bills. The last issue of Communications News included details of an industry scheme covering mobile premium services, however if you are worried about high mobile bills, it is important to note that telecommunication companies must offer customers ways of managing their spending, such as usage caps, call barring, or prepaid facilities.
If you do receive an unexpected high bill, you should immediately contact your service provider. If you cannot resolve the issue directly with the service provider, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman can also investigate.
For those using new PCs, some simple steps will go a long way to help you improve your online security.
- Protect your computer—install security software and keep it up to date.
- Think before you click—use your common sense. Don't open suspicious emails or attachments from unknown sources or emails requesting your personal details.
- Stay informed—visit the Stay Smart Online website to find more top tips and sign up to receive the latest advice on emerging issues and online security threats.
- Visit the SCAMwatch website for details on common mobile phone or internet scams.
News in brief
Update on the .au domain review
In August 2006, I announced a review of the .au internet domain to examine the broader operation of the domain and ensure that it continues to reflect the needs of industry stakeholders and the wider Internet community. A discussion paper (PDF, 275Kb) was released in October 2006, and the period for comments has now closed. 19 submissions were received and public submissions are now available from my Department's website.
IT secrets soon to be revealed
The Australian Government is once again supporting the Secrets of Australian ICT Innovation Competition. The competition is jointly supported by government and industry and is a major showcase for Australia to demonstrate Australian ICT innovation and ingenuity to a global audience.
Entries were recently short listed, with 62 companies now vying to win awards across seven categories. The winners will be announced in March 2007.
This is a great opportunity for ICT companies to increase business by presenting their innovations at a major national and international level.
Portfolio profile—the Australian Communications and Media Authority
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is the Australian Government's communications regulator, with responsibility for regulating telecommunications, broadcasting, radiocommunications and online content.
ACMA was created in 2005 when the Australian Communications Authority and the Australian Broadcasting Authority merged. ACMA was formed because it was no longer desirable to have two separate regulators, one of which focused primarily on infrastructure and carriage issues, while the other focused chiefly on content issues.
ACMA provides a coordinated regulatory response to converging technologies and services, and to the long-term management of spectrum.
ACMA is currently working on implementing a number of policies from the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio. They include the Protecting Australian Families Online package which will give parents the tools and information they need to protect their children when using the Internet and the Do Not Call Register which will crack down on unsolicited telemarketing calls.