The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, launched AMTA’s new publication, Staying Connected, at AMTA’s Technology Showcase at Parliament House, Canberra, on Wednesday evening. AMTA’s Members exhibited their latest mobile telecommunications technology at the Showcase, giving MPs and Senators an opportunity to experience first hand their equipment’s capabilities.

AMTA Chair, Louise Sexton, welcomed the Minister and invited him to address the Showcase. Below is the Minister’s speech:

“Thank you, Chris [Althaus]. Thank you, Louise [Sexton].

And thanks to everyone for taking the time to attend this showcase today.

I am very pleased to be with you to help launch this event and AMTA’s corporate social responsibility report.

I must convey apologies from the Prime Minister, who was invited to attend but who has other commitments at this time.

The technology on display here today is genuinely exciting.

It is staggering to consider the impact that mobile communications technologies are having on Australian society.

The Australian Communication and Media Authority reports there were 21.26 million mobile phone subscriptions in Australia at 30 June 2007—representing 107 per cent of the population.1

This was up from 19.76 million a year earlier and represents growth of 7.6 per cent over that period.

Meanwhile, 3G devices are accelerating the use of mobile data.

5% of users report accessing the internet via their mobile device and 20% us multimedia messaging.

Take-up can only rise as more converged applications and devices come to market.

Amidst the rapid technological development, uptake and constant innovation, it is important to set out some values that guide our progress.

I have read with interest Staying Connected—AMTA’s corporate social responsibility update.

I appreciate the effort to set out some basic guidelines that will help your industry to operate successfully in this dynamic sector.

Economic effects

In understanding the scale and significance of the mobile industry, the research by Access Economics published in Staying Connected makes interesting reading.

The research indicates that the recent phenomenal growth in mobile phone subscriptions and data services has resulted in enormous productivity gains.2

There is a direct contribution to the economy, estimated by Access Economics for 2007 at $6.47 billion.

In 2006–2007 over 22,000 workers employed by mobile carriers and resellers earned $1.8 billion in wages.

Then there is the indirect benefit of improved productivity that mobile technologies deliver across all sectors of the economy.

According to the Access Economics study, the indirect benefit of mobile technologies to the economy last year was $7.73 billion.

If trends continue, it expects that figure to grow to $8.1 billion this year and $9.3 billion in 2010.

Consumer issues

I note that the primary theme in Staying Connected is the industry’s commitment to community responsibility—in such areas as the environment, accessibility and promoting confidence in mobile products and services.

These relate directly to the Government’s policy priorities for the sector.

Consumer protection

In reaping the benefits of the growth of mobile markets, the industry must remain responsive to consumer needs.

While mobile technologies clearly provide a range of useful options to consumers, there are concerns about an increasing number of consumer complaints.

In particular, I have observed a continuing increase in complaints about premium mobile services.

The Government will monitor the issue closely but I am heartened by industry efforts to achieve a positive outcome.

I appreciate the hard work the industry is putting in through efforts such as the Mobile Premium Services Industry scheme, which provides protection to consumers.

Consumers are also concerned about the cost of international roaming.

The House of Representatives Communications Committee is currently inquiring into whether international mobile roaming charges are fair.

I will await those findings with interest.

Conclusion

While there is much to discuss regarding these matters, I am encouraged by the steps that the industry is taking—through AMTA—to work in concert with the community and the Government.

All of this underpins the continued development of what is clearly one of the country’s more innovative and dynamic industry sectors.

The products and services on show today demonstrate just how far mobile technology has come since its Australian launch in 1987.

And, AMTA’s report released today, demonstrates the increasing contribution of the mobile industry to the overall economy.

All of us here are users of mobile technologies.

They have become an invaluable tool for everyday family and work life.

Certainly, I can’t imagine a Government functioning without the flexibility that mobile technologies provide.

I commend AMTA for putting together this showcase and preparing the Staying Connected report and invite you all to enjoy the demonstrations on offer.

Thank you.”