Gen nbn™: 2020 and Beyond: The Future of a Connected Australia

The nbn™ network is an essential piece of national infrastructure that enhances connectivity throughout Australia’s vast continental landmass. Connectivity is arguably the quintessential resource of the new century: more important than natural resources, military power or industrial manufacturing. Each order-of-magnitude increase in digital capacity changes how people, businesses and institutions think and live connectivity, translating niche or boutique digital experiences into mainstream practices. The nbn™ network is one of many conditions required for sustainable and significant change. To take advantage of the unprecedented potential that the nbn™ network brings, Australia is expected to see advances in areas such as education, training, digital literacy, and community engagement. With careful attention to these areas, the rollout of the nbn™ network raises prospects for the realisation of new economic and cultural possibilities. Just as the move from dial-up narrowband to always-on broadband has, in less than two decades, created habits, expectations, dependencies and connections, we anticipate the expansion of fast broadband will create powerful opportunities for gen nbn™. Australians continue to adopt the internet at extraordinary rates. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports six in every seven households had internet at home in 2015 – up from two-thirds in 2007/08. Conservative estimates see these figures growing to 94 per cent of households by 2020, encompassing virtually all households by 2030 will be connected across a mix of nbn broadband, 4G mobile internet and other internet services. The nbn™ network will match much of this demand, delivering access to remote and densely populated areas across the continent The opportunities are many, but they are mirrored by challenges that we must collectively address. Movements away from and towards major and regional urban centres, in part facilitated by connectivity, rejuvenate some communities and place strains on others. Lowered thresholds for start-ups pose competitive challenges for established firms in health, energy and media. There is great potential to consolidate many Australians’ digital habits of social and multimedia consumption and enable them to move up the ‘ladder of opportunity’. But without the necessary interventions, it is possible that Australia’s digital divide will deepen. Australians need to anticipate and solve the challenges that confront us so we can optimise the significant cultural, political and economic benefits that potentially accompany greater connectivity afforded by the nbn™ network. Acknowledging these challenges, this report also outlines the many opportunities to which fast broadband via the nbn™ network will enable. It focuses on the likely impacts on lifestyle, consumption, work, wellbeing and learning. Australia is a technologically advanced country. Australians are early adopters of technological development, integrating technology into work and other life-activities. With government, community and corporate investment in innovation, Australia is poised to play a leading role in the development of the technology sector globally. By mobilising individuals and communities in the project of activating the potential of the nbn™ network delivery platform, Australia is well placed to be the most integrated, digitally connected continent on the planet. Australia is currently at a tipping point. National high-speed connectivity opens up an array of possibilities for economic prosperity and social benefit. But if the nation is to maximise the opportunities and meet the challenges, this will require a collective effort that builds upon and strengthens existing face-to-face connections and community-based engagement. The nbn™ network is a key digital platform. How we use it will matter