In This Issue

In this issue of the Journal papers cover public policy, historical events and new technology solutions. The breadth of papers highlights the exciting changes occurring within our industry both locally and internationally.

Fixed Broadband Take-up and Economic Growth presents an interesting look at the causal relationships between fixed broadband take-up, gross capital accumulation, the degree of urbanisation, and economic growth, using panel data from 9 ASEAN member countries in 2003-2016.

Framework for Demystifying M2M Spectrum Regulation proposes a framework that aims to demystify the spectrum policy regulation in the age of machine-to-machine communications and the Internet of Things.

Bitmaps & Bitmasks: Efficient Tools to Compress Deterministic Automata provides an approach to efficiently compress deterministic automata for deep packet inspection.

Communications for the America’s Cup Challenge provides two historic papers from a special issue of the Journal in 1986 featuring the communication requirements for the America’s Cup 1986/87 challenge defence in Fremantle, Australia.

The drive towards a digital economy

The momentum for Australian business and industry to adopt a proactive approach to becoming a part of the global digital economy continues to grow. As the global economies shift from fossil fuels to a range of modern alternatives, there is an underlying shift in the economic focus of the nations, like Australia, that have been major exporters of fossil fuels.

Australia is currently underperforming in the global digital economy and our ranking amongst the 16 most industrialised nations is middle of the pack. Our ranking for global resilience is falling and similarly for our ranking in the global innovation index.

There are a range of factors affecting the nation’s prosperity and one of the factors that will become more important over time is investment in all things digital.

Telecommunications provides the fundamental platform for the global digital economy. To ensure that our participation in the global digital economy increases, a mix of public and private investment should occur over the next decade to enhance the opportunities for business and industry, irrespective of where they’re located.

The drive towards a digital economy requires careful planning and consideration of how to meet the demands of regional and remote Australia, the powerhouse of the Australian economy. It will be through innovative ideas that are supported by public and private funding that the nation will enhance participation outside the urban areas.

The Journal welcomes papers on the digital economy, including, theory, public policy and case studies.

The Journal, Looking Forward

Australian telecommunications is moving forward at a rapid rate, and the introduction of 5G next year will speed up the reach and utilisation of telecommunication services. The Journal is calling for papers on how 5G will affect Australian telecommunications consumers.

The National Broadband Network (NBN) is soon to enter a new phase and papers on what should be done with the NBN are welcomed.

The topics of International Telecommunications Legislation and Regulations and International Mobile Cellular Regulation and Competition are set to continue for some time, as the opportunity to attract papers from around the globe continues. We encourage papers that reflect on where the telecommunications market is now, how it got to where it is, and what is going to happen next.

Papers are invited for upcoming issues. With your contributions, the Journal will continue to provide readers with exciting and informative papers covering a range of local and international topics. The Editorial Advisory Board also values input from our readership, so please let us know what themes you would like to see in the coming year.

All papers related to telecommunications and the digital economy are welcome and will be considered for publication after the double-blind peer-review process.

Mark A Gregory