Communications Alliance’s third annual Broadband and Beyond conference opened in Sydney this morning with addresses by Communications Alliance Chairman, Michael Lee, Seven Network Director, Ryan Stokes, and NBN Co Executive Chairman and CEO, Mike Quigley.
Communications Alliance Chairman Michael Lee, welcomed conference participants and outlined the importance of today’s discussions for the future of communications in Australia.
“The nations that invest in better communications will give their companies, their workers and their students and researchers an advantage over all the rest”.
Mr Lee also said: “It is hard to think of a bigger idea, or a bigger enterprise, than upgrading Australia’s communications for the 21st Century - or one that has more potential to benefit the nation for decades to come.
In his address to Broadband and Beyond 2010, Ryan Stokes said: “Broadband provides connected and converged communications, information, entertainment, services, and social engagement. These are frequently summed up using the crude moniker of ‘content’. Content however, is not just what fills the pipes connecting customers, it is the reason why consumers connect at all.
Today for media companies content creation is more important than ever. Enabling technologies mean it is no longer enough to simply own the rights; media companies must create the content to ensure better control on value realisation,” Mr Stokes commented.
The conference continues throughout the day with sessions featuring:
- Nigel Milan, Royal Flying Doctor Service CEO;
- Alan Noble, Google Australia’s Engineering Director;
- Hugh F. Durrant-Whyte, Research Director for the Centre of Excellence for Autonomous Systems;
- Angela Clark, Macquarie Radio Network Consultant;
- David Roffe, CIO of St Vincent’s Hospital;
- Hugh Baldwin, Digital Media Director for Nickelodeon;
- Mike Walsh, Tomorrow CEO;
- Greg Sneddon, Sales Director for Village Roadshow; and
- David Skellern, National ICT Australia CEO.
ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS ALLIANCE
Communications Alliance is the peak body for the Australian communications industry. It presents a unified voice for its members in public policy, facilitates industry solutions to industry issues, and provides up-to-date information on industry issues. Communications Alliance is also leading the industry's response to the National Broadband Network implementation. For further information see www.commsalliance.com.au