The mobile industry is a significant - and growing - contributor to Australia’s productivity and its economy. It is a key plank in enabling Australians to participate in the digital economy, AMTA told a House of Representatives Committee hearing in Melbourne today.

AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus, appeared before the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, which is inquiring into raising the level of productivity growth in the Australian economy.

“As the government has identified, access to broadband is critical if Australian businesses and individuals are to reap the full benefits of participation in the global digital economy. The geographic and demographic conditions in Australia dictate that wireless broadband service is even more important here than in many

otherwise comparable nations,” he said.

“Given future demand projections, there is a critical need to address future mobile growth trends from an infrastructure perspective. Radiofrequency spectrum is fundamental infrastructure for the provision of mobile telecommunication services.

“Without it, mobile service is not possible.

“Government must ensure that sufficient and appropriate radiofrequency spectrum is made available to the mobile telecommunications industry to allow it to meet future mobile growth demand. This includes spectrum from the digital dividend as well as spectrum in the 2.6 GHz band. It must also provide certainty about spectrum licence reissue.”