The Future of the Internet Project

Over the past decade, the Internet has become critical global infrastructure, supporting business, social and technological progress.

The Future of the Internet is a research project that commenced in early 2007 and involves analysis of the long-term public policy aspects of the future of the Internet. The project is being undertaken to develop Australian input for the Organisation of Economic and Cooperative Development (OECD) 2008 Ministerial Meeting: The Future of the Internet Economy, to be held in Seoul, Republic of Korea in June 2008.

OECD 2008 Ministerial Meeting: The Future of the Internet Economy

The OECD Ministerial Meeting provides an opportunity for communication and information technology ministers to discuss the opportunities and challenges of the future of the Internet from a global perspective.

The themes for the Ministerial Meeting include enabling the Internet as a catalyst to improve future economic performance and social development and leveraging the evolution of the Internet to:

• maximise the benefits from the convergence of what were separate platforms (video, telephony and data) to the Internet;
• promote creativity and enhance the role of the Internet as a source and a tool for stimulating innovation and growth; and
• build confidence in the Internet as a trusted infrastructure to conduct economic and social activities.

The Ministerial Meeting aims to develop a shared global vision for the future of the Internet economy.

The proposed key outputs of the Ministerial Meeting include a Declaration by Ministers on principles for guiding the development of the Internet, a Policy Framework of recommendations for the future of the Internet and a future work agenda for the OECD.

The Department's research to date

To date, the Department’s research has involved analysis of the opportunities and challenges of the future of the Internet and assessment of the related public policy implications.

The Department’s research has included consultation and coordination with other key Government agencies and activities such as the National Broadband Development Group and the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

During 2007, and as part of this project, the Department contracted research and analytical work by expert consultants on key public policy implications of the future of the Internet. The completed consultancy report: Reliability of the Internet by SIFT Pty Ltd covers the 10 years to 2017. The report is available through the link in the column on the right.

Related Department publications and information, such as the ICT and Productivity summary booklet of 2007 are also available through the links in the column on the right. Other ongoing research will be published here when completed.

• Document ID: 75670 |
• Last modified: 8 July 2008, 2:33pm