Other policy priorities and interests

Next generation networks and services

Next generation networks (NGNs) (File size: 66Kb) are new communication networks that are emerging through the deployment of new technologies, particularly Internet Protocol, on existing networks. NGNs are likely to seamlessly offer voice, video and data transmission at increasingly high speeds.

Telecommunications carriers and the Internet sector are beginning to deploy NGNs, facilitating convergence between traditional and new networks to provide new data rich services and efficient and diverse services, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP).

Industry and regulatory issues arising from NGNs are the subject of discussions with the Australian Communications Industry Forum. The Department is consulting with the regulatory authorities, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Australian Communications Authority, in scoping regulatory issues raised by NGNs. These developments are also a matter for discussion in international fora like the OECD and the International Telecommunications Union.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a forum for research and information on a wide range of emerging issues, has 30 member countries, including Australia.

Australia participates in the OECD's Committee on Information, Computer and Communications Policy (ICCP) which addresses issues arising from the 'digital economy,' global information infrastructure and a global information society.

The Department sits on the Working Party on Telecommunication and Information Services Policy (TISP) which deals with telecommunications and Internet policy. A key focus is regulatory reform and the convergence of telecommunications, Internet, cable television and broadcasting networks over fixed and wireless networks. Public OECD papers and reports on these issues are available from the OECD.

• Document ID: 7400 |
• Last modified: 6 February 2008, 1:53pm