In a bid to address the challenges hindering Australia's journey towards ubiquitous connectivity, the Connectivity Innovation Network (CIN), an initiative jointly undertaken by the NSW Telco Authority and The Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, has unveiled its inaugural whitepaper.
Titled "Towards Ubiquitous Connectivity in Australia", the whitepaper delves into the evolving technological landscape and the hurdles Australia faces in achieving seamless connectivity across its vast terrain.
Authored by esteemed academics and CIN representatives, Professor Y Jay Guo, Professor Yonghui Li, and Dr Ian Oppermann, the whitepaper provides a comprehensive overview of emerging technologies with the potential to enable connectivity, including low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), large-area Wi-Fi, and 6G mobile communications.
One of the key highlights of the whitepaper are insights derived from the NSW Telco Authority's Digital Connectivity Index, which shed light on the existing disparities in connectivity across various regions within NSW.
The whitepaper offers a set of recommendations for the NSW Government to enhance connectivity, including sustained support for public-private partnership models to foster local technology innovations and leveraging the research capabilities of local universities to bolster the growth of the industry.
Officially launched at an event hosted by the CIN, where key network members and media had the opportunity to hear directly from one of its authors and CIN Director, Dr Ian Oppermann.
In his address, Dr Oppermann emphasised the imperative of prioritising digital inclusion and meaningful connectivity, echoing the sentiments outlined in the NSW Government's Connectivity Strategy aimed at broadening access to vital services and addressing affordability.
Dr Oppermann underscored the importance of steering technological advancements towards seamless connectivity to be accessible to all - irrespective of location or device.
