Connectivity Innovation Network Releases Whitepaper Addressing Connectivity Challenges in New South Wales, Australia

Connectivity Innovation Network (CIN), an initiative of NSW Telco Authority and The Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, has released its first whitepaper exploring the challenges facing Australia in achieving ubiquitous connectivity amidst a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

The whitepaper, ’Towards Ubiquitous Connectivity in Australia,’ examines the characteristics of connectivity that are important for digital services and presents an overview of emerging technologies with the potential and capacity to provide fit-for-purpose ubiquitous connectivity to remote and rural areas throughout Australia. These emerging technologies include low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), large-area wi-fi and 6G mobile communications.

The whitepaper has been authored by esteemed academics and CIN representatives, Professor Y Jay Guo, Professor Yonghui Li and Dr Ian Oppermann and developed in consultation with telecommunications experts, industry leaders and governmental bodies.

Key findings from the whitepaper include insights from the NSW Telco Authority’s Digital Connectivity Index, which underscores the disparities in connectivity across regions within NSW.

CIN Technical Director, Professor Y. Jay Guo, said despite progress, the digital divide in Australia persists, hindering access to essential services, education and employment opportunities.

“In an era marked by rapid technological advancement, the whitepaper delves into the ongoing challenges faced by parts of Australia, particularly rural NSW, in achieving ubiquitous connectivity,” Professor Guo said.

“The new publication emphasises the importance of prioritising digital inclusion and meaningful connectivity and outlines the NSW Government’s Connectivity Strategy, aimed at broadening access to vital services and addressing affordability.”

The whitepaper provides recommendations for the NSW Government to improve the current state of connectivity. These recommendations include continued support for public and private partnership models to invest in local technology innovations, leveraging local universities’ research capabilities to nurture the growth of local industry and establishing audacious goals in collaboration with the governments of allied countries to create a regional or global market.

Recommendations also include the development of rapidly deployable communication networks for emergency situations, investment in technologies as HAPS and drone-enabled communications to provide extended coverage in remote or disaster-stricken areas, as well as the use of wireless sensing for early detection and monitoring of natural disasters.

CIN Director Dr Oppermann, said the release of the whitepaper marks a significant milestone in the journey towards a fully connected NSW and sets the stage for transformative advancements in technology and digital inclusion.

“We aim to use the release of the whitepaper to help steer the development of   innovative solutions towards ubiquitous connectivity, where devices are seamlessly connected, able to process data without interruption and are accessible by everyone on any device, in any location and in any format,” Dr Oppermann said.