Converged communications regulations reviewed by ACMA

The Australian Communications and Media Authority welcomes the comprehensive review of media and communications regulation recently announced by Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

“The promise of super fast networks, global content and applications, widespread smart devices and intelligent networks offers a generational opportunity for Australia,” said ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman.

“As one of the world’s few converged communications regulators, the ACMA is uniquely placed to contribute to the review and we are looking forward to playing an active role.

“Indeed, much of the current work of the ACMA is already being driven through a converged framework. The development of new approaches to numbering, digital services, spectrum allocation and premium telecommunications services are live examples. New delivery infrastructure such as optical fibre and the emergence of all IP networks and devices are already seeing rapid change in consumer usage and industry structure. Some of the implications of this are the subject of a current public inquiry by the ACMA into customer care and complaints handling in what is traditionally described as ‘the telecommunications space’.

“We are genuinely excited about these opportunities and look forward to working with the committee to assist and advise on the development of the framework, its settings and principles so as to ensure Australia has the best chance possible of seizing the immense opportunities that the transition to the digital economy promises.

“The evolution of media and communication services to digital platforms is relentless and many of the concepts which supported earlier industry, sector and consumer needs are rapidly becoming redundant; certainly they are in need of rethinking.

“Coupled with the pressures from the globalisation of media and communications, these changes will challenge us all to modernise and, in some cases, let go of approaches which may have served us well in the past but will need rethinking and fresh insights, if they are to be effective in the new digital era.

“The review is an opportunity to stay ahead of the game and administer modern rules for the modern world,” concluded Chapman.