Issue: 15/08

Regional Conference 2008

April 23, 2008

ATUG's 6th Annual Conference on Regional Communications will be held in Canberra on 20-21 May 2008 at the Australian War Memorial.

ATUG’s vision for regional Australia is for users to have access to competitively priced, innovative, quality communication services that improve government services, community life and business outcomes.

ATUG has been part of the journey for communications solutions for Regional Australia - with our Regional Conferences and Regional Roadshows. Starting with Demand Aggregation, HiBIS #1 and the efforts of local communities and governments in working with providers to accelerate and extend access to broadband. Then, with, the Telstra sale legislation passing in 2005 we saw reconfirmation of basic protections -the Universal Service Obligation, Customer Service Guarantee and National Reliability Framework policies, and the introduction of the Telstra Local Presence Plan and the Independent Regional Review process. T3 was also accompanied by a significant increase in funding for services in regional areas.

Since last year's conference there has been a change of Government, new Minister and new Department name all reflecting a new outlook on communications policy and the answers for regional end users. Local and State governments have continued to work to define and develop their individual role and to coordinate outcomes for end users far more effectively.

The debate for Regional Australia has taken a significant turn with the issues remaining alive and growing in importance. New policy and funding decisions are key to current discussions. With the major focus being the National Broadband Network and the Request for Proposals (RFP) to roll-out and operate the National Broadband Network, submissions on NBN regulatory issues and submissions on broadband solutions for remote areas.

ATUG will be representing our members, including regional end users during the submission process and at the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy’s recently announced Telecommunications Consumer Representation Stakeholder Forum.

This year’s ATUG 2008 Annual Conference will cover the latest policy and regulatory updates, FTTP, regional users, applications, state government panel discussions and industry updates.

Confirmed speakers include; The Hon Bruce Billson MP, Shadow Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Alexandra Gartmann, Member, Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee, Michael Cosgrave, Group General Manager, Communications Group, ACCC, Peter Thompson, CEO, Pivit, Simon Bryant, First Assistant Secretary Broadband (Ag) DBCDE, Steve Baxter, Co-founder & Director, PIPE Networks and Russell Workman, CEO, Mensheds Australia.

Please Click Here for updates on the program.
Click Here to register for the conference

Contact kate.schober@atug.org.au for sponsorship opportunities.