Thursday, 22 March 2007 - The Australian Computer Society (ACS), the peak professional body for the IT sector, today welcomed comments on the need for investment into broadband infrastructure from the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator the Helen Coonan and Shadow Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Senator Stephen Conroy.

Dennis Furini, CEO, ACS responded to the Minister and Shadow Minister’s plans to improve Australia’s broadband infrastructure and access, and said that provision of affordable high speed broadband is essential to populace being globally competitive.

“The important point is that equitable and affordable access to broadband is achieved – how that’s achieved is of secondary importance in our view. We are pleased that both sides of politics maintain a focus on broadband access as a critical national issue and we commend them for moving the issue of broadband infrastructure up the agenda. This reinforces the position taken this week at the Wireless World Conference in Sydney, when the ACS called for the Federal Government to implement best practice, world class broadband infrastructure for all Australian communities as an immediate national priority.

“The ACS believes that high speed broadband infrastructure will have a catalysing effect on content, product and service innovation. We are calling for 30 G/bps minimum to every household by 2015. Mobile communications and hardware convergence will create new user markets and a market for software and content: areas where Australian ICT is strong and provides leading solutions. However without a consistent, reliable, high speed national broadband infrastructure that employs the latest technologies, Australia’s economic growth will suffer,” said Mr Furini.

“We urge both sides of politics to consider minimising the inevitable city/rural digital divide and to ensure that both rural and urban broadband services are affordable and that they are economically viable in the medium to long term. Importantly, a comprehensive state of the art e-security framework for Australia must be undertaken as a complementary component of introducing ubiquitous broadband infrastructure.

“We are pleased to see discussion around the benefits of broadband, in particular teleworking - technology changes will shape the future of our Australian workforce and already offer many solutions to employers looking for ways to increase flexibility and productivity. There should also be a focus on telecottaging - a form of teleworking that blends the advantages of working at home with the factors that home workers often miss, such as social interaction with their work colleagues. Telecottaging also offers employers significant economies in terms of infrastructure provision and worker amenities that home working does not accommodate.

“Technology will also have a far reaching influence in creating a new ‘uncollared workforce’ – playing an even greater role in productivity, cost-efficiency staff retention outcomes. As outlined in the ACS’s Uncollared Workforce policy, workers from the tech savvy Generation Y are the first to adapt to the work/life options made available by new communications technologies – they have a strong desire for career mobility, integrating technology into work and home life, to enhance the quality of their professional lives and provide balance in their social relationships. They will seek out employers who best meet their work/life requirements.

“The benefits of broadband to the nation are infinite – the ACS has long taken a stand for the impact of Information and communications Technology (ICT) to be acknowledged as underpinning the state of the Australian economy. Broadband infrastructure is conducive to innovation and technological proficiency, so we encourage further debate and action, including industry support, for the broadband issue, as connection is key to our international competitiveness and our survival,” Mr Furini said.

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Media information:

Fleur Brown (02) 9270 0241 or mobile: 0419 270 863

About the ACS:

The ACS (Australian Computer Society) is the recognised professional association for those working in Information and Communications Technology, seeking to raise the standing of ICT professionals and represent their views to government, industry and the community. A member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the ICT sector, committed to ensuring the beneficial use of ICT for all Australians. It provides both members and non-members with opportunities for professional education, networking and certification, as well as enabling them to contribute to the development of their profession. Visit www.acs.org.au for more information.

About the ACS Foundation:

An initiative of the Australian Computer Society (ACS) the ACS Foundation was established in August 2001 to encourage both private and public sponsorship of IT scholarships, higher education and research projects.

The ACS Foundation receives funding from more than 150 sponsors – including ICT companies, industry associations, Government bodies, individuals and the ACS itself.

Since the ACS Foundation’s inception, it has raised over $9 million in cash and in-kind sponsorship for scholarships and research, awarding more than 600 scholarships to high achievers and people who are disadvantaged in some way.