AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus, says the influence and contribution of mobile telecommunications to the digital economy continues to grow as technologies, services and applications reach further into all sectors of our economy and society, providing significant - and growing - social and economic benefits for all Australians.

His comments came as the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today released a consultation draft on the future directions of Australia's digital economy.

Mr Althaus said mobile applications are currently helping to connect remote communities, enabling remote medical diagnosis, delivering educational benefits, facilitating logistics and personnel planning and assisting with criminal investigations. Individuals and organisations also enjoy the social and productivity benefits associated with mobile connectivity via voice telephony, data services and internet access.

“The rapid rise of mobile data services is being strongly supported by consumers and the industry has responded through strong competition driving enhanced consumer value and choice via an increasingly diverse range of latest generation products and services,” he said.

“Mobile broadband is a star performer and has huge potential to further extend the key role of mobile telecommunications in all facets of life through the union of two of the most influential technological developments of the digital age – the mobile phone and the internet.

“However, given demand projections, there is a critical need to address future infrastructure needs. Radiofrequency spectrum is fundamental infrastructure for the provision of mobile telecommunication services. Without it, mobile service is not possible. Further, the type and amount of radiofrequency spectrum made available for mobile telecommunications will influence performance and service levels.

“The future of mobile telecommunications is will significantly influence Australia’s future – including our capacity to compete in the global marketplace, our capacity to drive productivity via the digital economy and our capacity to meet the connectivity needs of Australian businesses, families and individuals.”

Today, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, Conroy released a consultation draft on the future direction of Australia’s digital economy.

"The digital economy promises many opportunities for raising productivity and driving efficiency across all sectors of society," Senator Conroy said.

"The Rudd Government is laying the foundations for our digital economy and it is important that we act now to ensure we make the most of those investments."

Senator Conroy called for contributions on the Digital Economy Future Directions Paper consultation draft. The draft follows discussions with industry, business and other stakeholders throughout 2008 and a series of workshops and a forum in September.

"This draft paper identifies the themes and suggestions to drive Australia's digital economy raised through our initial consultations," Senator Conroy said.

"The Rudd Government wants to engage with all interested parties on the future of Australia's digital economy."

"We are currently conducting the Government's first trial online consultation via the Digital Economy Blog and I now welcome contributions on this draft paper as the next step towards publishing our final directions paper in 2009."

"The Digital Economy Future Directions Paper will outline the opportunities and challenges posed by the digital economy and the potential roles of government, industry and others in ensuring Australia gains maximum benefit."

The consultation draft for the Digital Economy Future Directions Paper is available from: www.dbcde.gov.au. Contributions should be sent to DEFutureDirections@dbcde.gov.au by 11 February 2009.

The Digital Economy Blog is online: www.dbcde.gov.au/digitaleconomyblog