RadComms 2024 and WISPAU
Recently WISPAU President, Adrian Robertson, attended RadComms 2024 in Melbourne
RadComms 2024 conference theme of Supporting the present, empowering the future provided a unique opportunity to explore spectrum as an economic enabler for the digital and connected economy and to consider how spectrum will help deliver the applications and technologies that will shape our futures.
Over 2 days government and industry specialists, analysts, researchers, journalists and delegates interested in spectrum developments provided expert opinions and the event also provided networking opportunities.
The event highlighted the Australian Governments ambition to achieve a connected Australia and to reduce the digital divide and allow all Australians, no matter their location, access to broadband services.
The event highlighted the importance and the growing need to connect regional and rural areas whilst still looking towards the changing needs for higher capacity in the metro areas.
Of note was a discussion on Day One of the conference in regards to Connecting our regions. Panelists noted that there is a proportionally higher greater economic impact that occurs in remote in regional areas where broadband services are reliable and of a standard that allows these areas better access to the Internet.
Ian Kelly from the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee noted in the session that in some areas however, despite Government funding, there is still a gap in delivering services to members in the remote and regional areas being delivered by MNO’s and the national carrier.
The event also discussed the importance of spectrum management (in particular 6Ghz) and there is still much work to be done by the ACMA in regards to getting the balance right so that the spectrum is best used for Australians now and into the future (WISPAU has been a part of this conversation with the ACMA and will continue to work with the ACMA for the benefit of WISP members).
WISP’s are part of the Connectivity Puzzle in Australia
As was discussed at the event, copper lines can degrade over time and the practicality of having fiber ‘everywhere’ is not financially viable. Likewise LEO, whilst it presents exciting opportunities, also has its limitations. There is no one ‘silver bullet‘ for communications in Australia.
Thus, it is important to recognise Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISP’s) in all areas of Australia and the incredible part that they play in achieving the Governments vision of a fully connected Australia. Again whilst WISP’s may not be the total answer – WISP’s are most definitely part of the solution to achieve the vision of connectivity for all in Australia.
WISP’s in local areas provide broadband services and are more often than not, local businesses that support the local community. They engage in education, economic growth, employment opportunities and community in the regions that they cover.
They provide critical services to customers including wifi calling, broadband connectivity and IoT. They invest back into the local network, continuously improving services not only because they have a inherit drive to refine and enhance these services for customers, but also to provide choice to consumers in areas where at most times there is a lack of such options.
WISPAU will continue to discuss with Government, ACMA, and all organisations of the importance of WISP’s in Australia and continue to advocate on behalf of its WISPs members that are assisting to achieve the vision that so may at the RadComms event had in common – achieving greater connectivity for all in this country.
