Learning from International Experience
Tuesday, 25th February 2020
There is a great amount of data and other information flowing about international broadband developments, much of which is being used to critique the status of Australia’s NBN. But what does this information really mean, particularly for the end-user? What can we learn from this international experience to assist the planning for the NBN’s future, given where we now stand? This forum will seek to explore the possible learnings through a review of plans and outcomes amongst, primarily, Australia’s major trading partners, specific examination of the New Zealand experience, and identification of key issues and learnings.
Dr Richard Ferrers will review Australia’s status in relation to other OECD countries and particularly Australia’s major trading partners, identify where Australia will likely be placed at completion of rollout, and examine the proposition that countries may be differentiated by aggressive or passive approaches to the implementation of broadband infrastructure.
Dr Murray Milner (Milner Consulting) will review the policy intentions, economics and outcomes of New Zealand’s Ultrafast Broadband program. He will outline the means of implementation, and identify some of the difficulties which have been experienced along the 10 year journey. During the execution of the program, several extensions have been initiated to ensure that all New Zealanders get improved broadband services. These extensions will be described in the context of the overall policy objectives.
Dr Jim Holmes (Incyte Consulting) will draw out learnings that might be taken from these presentations for the Australian situation as it is now, with a view to encouraging discussion.
Attendance is free for all TelSoc members and members of affiliated organisations such as Engineers Australia, IEEE, IET. We request that TelSoc members register for the event via the registration button "Book A Seat" shown above (please ensure you are logged in on the website first). All others can register via Eventbrite: eventbrite.com.au/e/91204480055
We encourage those attendees who are not members of TelSoc to consider joining. The modest annual membership fee contribution is needed to ensure that TelSoc is able to achieve its mission and progress the cause of telecommunications within the nation. Please see https://telsoc.org/membership for further details on becoming a member of TelSoc.
Zoom details for those unable to attend in person:
Topic: TelSoc NBN Futures Forum
Time: Feb 25, 2020 12:00 noon Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (Zoom session starts at 12, ready for presentations commencing at 12:15)
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https://zoom.us/j/282279292
Meeting ID: 282 279 292
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Meeting ID: 282 279 292
For Sydney participants:
For those physically located in Sydney, there is a plan to provide a "networking opportunity" aligned with viewing the forum via Zoom. Peter Hitchiner has requested that those interested in this option should contact him directly via email: PeterHitchiner at gmail.com
A room in Sydney has been booked at UTS: room 11.05.200
Date and Time
Tue, 25 Feb 2020
12:15 - 13:45 AEDT
Location
Presenter(s)
Richard is a Research Data Analyst at Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC), and is passionate about bringing a deep understanding of innovation, technology and industry transitions to solve important problems, and improve local innovation practices and drive consumer value.
Richard aims to promote consumer value (as a driver of innovation) by developing forward facing consumer value management practices in a dynamic and challenging environment.
Dr Milner has spent over 40 years in the ICT industry. He is widely recognised within his profession for his leadership in ICT development in New Zealand. He has been awarded Fellowships to work and study in both the UK and USA during his career. He is a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering NZ, an active member of IET and a Senior Member of IEEE and is on the editorial board for the Australian Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy.
After spending much of his career with Telecom New Zealand, Dr Milner now runs a busy consulting practice in New Zealand and works extensively with central government, local government and enterprises on ICT strategy, economics and infrastructure development. He is currently Chair of Harmonic Analytics Limited, Chair of the Whole of Government Radio Network Governance Board (WGRN GB) and a member of the Capital Investment Committee (CIC) for Health.
He recently stood down as a Director of Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIP - formerly Crown Fibre Holdings), after 9 years of being responsible for the rollout of the Ultrafast Broadband (UFB) initiative across New Zealand. He was involved in this initiative since its conceptual beginnings in 2007 and undertook much of the techno-economic analysis of Fibre to the Premise prior to government adoption.
Jim Holmes is an international telecommunications consultant providing telecommunications policy, regulatory and legal advice to the sector, mainly to Governments and to regulators. His work over the past 25 years has included the development of regulatory and organisational frameworks to deliver telecommunications outcomes. Prior to that Jim was a senior manager in Telstra and its predecessor organisations, and until his departure in 1994 was involved in substantial reorganisations and Government reviews of the sector on Telstra’s behalf, including reviews of universal service delivery and policy, regulation and corporate governance.