The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association was this week invited to be part of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy’s “Talking Heads” program and was given the opportunity to address 120 Departmental staff and outline the policies and programs of the mobile telecommunications industry.

AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus, addressed the forum on Wednesday at the Department’s headquarters in Canberra after receiving the invitation from the Departmental Secretary, Patricia Scott.

He gave an outline of the drivers in the mobile telecommunications industry and the rapid growth in 3G technology, providing access across multi-media functions such as the internet, music, video, email, SMS, instant messaging, photography, mobile office, mobile TV as well as the all-important voice telephony functions.

“3G is providing consumers with the latest mobile telecommunications functionality and further opportunities for business to boost productivity by allowing streamlined business processes, enhanced customer service and increased efficiency,” he said.

Mr Althaus said the growth of mobile phones had been spectacular over the past two decades and the mobile telecommunications industry had a greater impact on the Australian economy than the free-to-air television industry and the newspaper printing and publishing industry.

He said the mobile telecommunication industry was committed to working with the Department and other agencies to deliver an industry that was environmentally sustainable, economically successful and socially responsible and in step with community needs and expectations.

“AMTA is a willing partner with governments and a source of information and advice to assist in the implementation of practical and workable policy solutions,” Mr Althaus said.

“Innovations in mobile telecommunications in the past few years have focused on the convergence of communication, media and information technologies in order to facilitate wider and more integrated methods for information distribution,” he said. “This convergence means that governments should have a consistent and integrated set of policies and regulations that will not inhibit, but rather facilitate, rapid uptake of emerging ICTs by households and businesses.

“Where possible, such policies could be developed through a cooperative approach and engagement with industry. Only then can mobile telecommunications continue to foster productivity gains across Australian industries and assist in closing the productivity gap between Australia and leading edge countries like the US.”