This section provides Audit data, analysis, projections and findings for telecommunications infrastructure at a national level. It identifies key issues that will need to be considered in the development of future telecommunications initiatives and provides observations on the part that telecommunication assets and services play in delivering the connectivity role of Australia's Infrastructure.
This section is set out as follows:
■ existing capacity and services;
■ projected demand; and
■ sector outlook.
The telecommunications sector encompasses voice and data services provided over fixed and mobile networks. It includes infrastructure for fixed and mobile customer access networks, backhaul and transmission networks. Service providers in the sector include carriers, carriage service providers, content service providers and application developers.
Telecommunications services are a key enabler for all parts of the economy. If Australia is to remain an internationally competitive nation, telecommunications infrastructure providers need to increase capacity and continue to update technology.