7.3 Recommendation 

Fully realise the digital economic dividend by better enabling emerging technologies such as 5G, the Internet of Things and smart cities across Australia through regulation, investment and coordination. 

Proposed sponsor: Australian Communications and Media Authority

When this should impact:

Where this should impact:

7.3.1 Ensure Australian communities and businesses can rapidly access competitive, sustainable and contiguous 5G coverage in urban centres across Australia by increasing spectrum flexibility, ensuring sustainable pricing and simplifying planning processes. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications

Enable maximum contiguous coverage of Australia's emergent 5G networks by creating more affordable ways for network operators to locate 5G small cells on public assets (such as street furniture, public buildings and road trenches) in a way that resembles the arrangements made for other major utilities, with nominal or zero rental costs and wider facility-sharing of public infrastructure. 

Proposed lead: state and territory planning departments 

Supported by: State and territory transport departments, local governments

Provide communities with commercially viable, unobtrusive and contiguous coverage across Australia's suburbs by encouraging local governments to build telecommunications towers and poles (for network operators to mount small cells) for the public good in key suburbs and precincts. 

Proposed lead: State and territory planning departments 

Supported by: Local governments

Facilitate the introduction of 5G to regional areas by giving flexibility to operators to utilise any low-band spectrum to roll out 5G coverage in these areas. 

Proposed lead: Australian Communications and Media Authority

Consider adding the adoption of 5G technology to the evaluation criteria for regional Mobile Black Spot Program funding applications. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications

Increase access to choice in connectivity for mobile and smart applications by accelerating the rollout of Open Radio Area Network technology, including by prioritising this technology in regional connectivity programs and 5G pilot programs. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications

7.3.2 Improve the sustainability, liveability and efficiency of Australian communities by adopting a strategic approach to smart cities and the Internet of Things that facilitates investment and enables scalable projects. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: Australian Communications and Media Authority

Enable a smart infrastructure step-change by adopting best-practice policies that reduce friction and increase interoperability at a place level, including policies addressing: 

•  shared applications 

•  systems and processes 

•  capabilities 

•  data exchange, storage and federation. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: Local governments, state and territory planning departments

Accelerate the delivery of smart places through a refresh of the Smart Cities and Suburbs Program to focus on co-funding high initial cost, yet scalable, regional initiatives that align with the national digital infrastructure roadmap. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: State and territory planning departments

7.3.3 Protect and educate all corners of society to become more digitally confident as new technology continues to evolve, with the launch of national initiatives addressing health concerns, data privacy, technology risks, cybercrime and digital confidence. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: Australian Cyber Security Centre

Ensure the Australian Privacy Principles are ready to deal with an entirely new generation of processing capabilities, with a review of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) to consider the risks presented by artificial intelligence, quantum computing and machine learning. 

Proposed lead: State and territory Attorneys-General 

Supported by: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

Protect the public from misinformation and cyber risks by investing in public education and communication programs addressing 5G health concerns, data privacy, technology risks and cybercrime. The engagement should extend previously successful public education and engagement campaigns around digital innovation. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: Australian Communications and Media Authority, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, Department of Health, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner