Optical Technology Special Interest Group.
Draft minutes of the meeting held 7 June 1995, Belconnen Library
© prepared by Sandra Henderson, Minute Secretary, OTSIG.
Guest speakers for the meeting were introduced by Andrew Freeman.
The first speaker was Brendan Thomas, of the Department of
Communications and the Arts, who spoke about the Broadband
Services Expert Group. Mr Thomas was a member of the BSEG
Secretariat.
What did BSEG look at? Technical, economic and commercial
pre-conditions for widespread delivery of broadband services to
businesses and schools
When? The Group was convened over the period December 93 -
December 94
Who? There were 12 members, selected by the Minister
How did it operate? Used the resources of the Group itself,
along with community consultation and the assistance of private
sector consultants.
The Group met monthly for a year, with community consultation
sessions in all capitals. Eight consultants were employed, with
various areas of expertise.
What did it produce?
February 1994 - Discussion paper, which resulted in 150
submissions.
July 1994 - Interim report.
December 1994 - Final report.
Through the process a number of consultancy reports (8 in all)
were also produced. They included Demand for Broadband Services,
Commerce in Content (with DIST), Planning for an Information
Society project report (with Telecom).
The Group saw content rather than the technology, as the critical
success factor. The consultants' reports produced no new
information, but reinforced the view that future demand for these
services is still uncertain.
Major findings of the Group.
The current uncertainty requires a flexible response.
Content will be the key element - this represents an economic
opportunity, and high value adding potential. Carriers and
hardware providers are seeing this as an area of high marginal
returns. The BSEG Group strongly supports the content creation
initiatives of the Creative Nation statement.
Universal reach - access through schools, libraries, medical
centres etc is vital.
Role for the government as a "leading edge" user, and a catalyst
for development. The government can provide a positive
demonstration to the private sector, as well as deriving
considerable benefits from the use of these technologies.
The public sector is unable to fund the broadband network, which
is estimated to cost $40 billion.
ŚRecommendations
16 recommendations focus on the development of a national
strategy based on three key elements:
Education and community access. The report called specifically
for a separate strategy for educational services. The best
return will be from the younger generation. The rest of the
community will also need access.
Industry development. Content is the key, but hardware
development is also important.
Role of the government. There are specific recommendations about
the government providing seed money and grants.
The government's response
There has been endorsement of the broad approach, and a
commitment to develop a national strategy. The National
Information Services Council has been established (and an
announcement on membership is expected in the very near future),
and pilots of the education (EDNA) and community (CIN) networks
put in place. Policy advisory bodies have been set up in the
Department and within Cabinet, and a Chief Information Officer
appointed.
There was a question about the level of involvement of community
groups. Mr Thomas pointed out that there is a proposal for a $10
million fund for community projects. If this is approved by
Cabinet, groups will be able to apply for funding for pilot
community projects.
Another question related to funding of the broadband network. Mr
Thomas answered that it was unlikely that the government would
fund optical fibre cabling of the whole country, but would be
encouraging it. The government will probably ensure that all
communities have some links (which may be satellite rather than
optical fibre links). At this stage the demand for full
broadband capability is not strong.
The second speaker was Ian Jones, from the Multimedia and Music
section of the Department of Industry, Science and Technology.
The group was responsible for the Commerce in Content report
(with BSEG), and is about to release Excellence in Content,
prepared by Coopers & Lybrand.
The Commerce in Content report, which fed into the Creative
Nation initiatives, has as its main themes:
.prospects for interactive multimedia
.market size
.a move to online services
.issues to be addressed.
Australian Multimedia Enterprise, a new body to distribute the
$45million allocated for title development, has yet to appoint a
CEO or establish investment guidelines, but hope to have these
issues addressed in the next few months. Money should start
flowing in September, hopefully to have some products on the
market by Christmas.
18 applications were received for the establishment of
Cooperative Multimedia Centres. An assessment panel is still
being assembled, and it is hoped that centres will be identified
by August/September.
DIST is funding/sponsoring a series of Multimedia Forums.
Australia on CD. There have been 166 applications for funding,
of which 100 are regarded as very high quality. Only 10 projects
will be funded, and announcements are expected in July/August
about the successful projects.
Excellence in Content. This is a new report, prepared by Coopers
& Lybrand, which will be released after Ministerial approval.
Recommendations in the report cover:
.establishment of an industry capabilities directory
.ensuring a diverse range of content
.market confidence - the AME should fund only projects which
present "proof of concept"
.quality of content. Australia should set a high standard
.promotion of domestic demand.
.development of international markets - this requires
identification of key
overseas distributors - possibly a role for AUSTRADE.
Other business.
Among those introducing themselves or their products:
DAS - the Common Use Contracts are being put onto CD-ROM. At
present goods and services are covered, I.T. is yet to come.
This CD-ROM service is free to DAS users.
Stuart Meadley - Brambles Records Management
Michael Andrews - Dept Immigration
Colin Archer - Government Technology Users' Assn
Bill McLaughlin - DIEA
Linda Sharp - SMS Consulting
Peter Jones _ Australian Bureau of Statistics
The next meeting of OTSIG is scheduled for Wednesday 2 August
1995, and the guest speaker will be Louise Ali, Acting Director,
Woden Valley Hospital Medical Records dept, who will speak about
the medical records imaging system installed recently at WVH.
Belconnen Library, 10.30am, 2 August.