Australian national digital strategy raises questions about Canada’s place in the digital economy, experts say

Canadian experts say the Australian government's newly released national digital economy strategy is a bold effort that recognizes the social importance of broadband connectivity—but also demonstrates how far behind Canada is. “They want to make the investment and support particularly the social importance of broadband,” Bill St. Arnaud, an independent technology consultant in Ottawa, said in an interview. “There's no question this will make them a leader ... In terms of the broad adoption of digital applications and so forth, they clearly will be up there with the Dutch or the Swedes.” Stephen Conroy, the Australian government's minister for broadband, communications and the digital economy, announced the country's national digital strategy Tuesday, pledging that, “by 2020, Australia will rank in the top five nations in the OECD in the portion of households that connect to broadband at home.” According to the most recent OECD data, Canada ranks tenth in the percentage of homes with broadband access, at 66.9 per cent, and Australia ranks 16th at 62 per cent. Korea and Iceland rank first and second, respectively, at 96 and 87 per cent. The Australian digital strategy laid out eight goals to meet by 2020, including pledges to: -create the necessary connectivity for Australian schools, universities and other educational institutions to “develop and collaborate on innovative educational services that will extend the opportunities for online learning”; -ensure that 90 per cent of “high priority consumers,” including older Australians, mothers, babies and those with chronic diseases, will have use of electronic health records; -double Australia's level of teleworking so that at least 12 per cent of employees can work away from the office; -ensure that four of five Australians engage with the government through the Internet or other online services. The minority Australian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Julia Gillard, is on course for a 10-year transition to a publicly-owned National Broadband Network. The strategy Tuesday announced nearly $60 million AU in program spending to help meet its digital economy objectives. That funding comes in addition to the $27.5 billion AU the government plans to spend towards a national fibre network that is estimated to cost a total of $35.9 billion AU. Following the announcement Tuesday, the government began aggressively promoting its digital strategy, arguing that it will boost productivity, competitiveness, and enhance health and education services. It announced the creation of a team of 20 “broadband champions,” including public and private sector leaders, to promote the plan. Also on Tuesday, Canadian Industry Minister Christian Paradis delivered his first public speech in his new portfolio. But Paradis' speech came short of offering any new details about the federal government's long-awaited national digital economy strategy. Although Prime Minister Stephen Harper's strategy is expected soon, a national digital strategy has been in the works for years. The government held a wide-ranging consultation on the strategy last summer, and said it intended to announce the plan this spring—but that was before a federal election interrupted parliamentary business. Many observers are hoping for, if not expecting, a comprehensive strategy that will incorporate various digital policy issues including spectrum auction rules, broadband funding and speed targets, copyright reform, digital skills training and digital literacy programs, and technology adoption. Catherine Middleton, the Canada research chair in communication technologies in the information society at Ryerson University, said in an interview that it took the Australian government significant time to draft its strategy, noting that it is mostly the outcome of a consultation forum called “Realising Our Broadband Future” held two years ago in December 2009 in Sydney. She also noted that the Australian government announced its plan for a national fibre network before it announced its strategy. Still, experts say they do not expect anything groundbreaking anytime soon from Industry Canada. “I'm not holding my breath,” St. Arnaud said. Middleton added, with a hint of irony: “In contrast to the Canadian strategy, the Australian government has rolled one out.” St. Arnaud suggested that there may be lessons for Canada in the Australian model, particularly in its emphasis on the social importance of broadband connectivity. The Australian government defines the “digital economy” as “the global network of economic and social activities that are enabled by information and communications technologies, such as the internet, mobile and sensor networks.” Its strategy said about 26 per cent of Australians 15 years and older did not use the Internet in 2008–09, a figure that is higher for retired people, low-income earners, indigenous Australians and people living in remote areas. “Targeted action is required to minimise the extent to which digital exclusion overlaps with, and exacerbates, social exclusion and to maximise the extent to which the benefits outlined above are enjoyed by all Australian families and communities,” the strategy said. Broadband usage develops a “cognitive surplus,” it added, a reference to the creativity and knowledge that connectivity fosters. “ 10 per cent increase in Australians using the internet is estimated to produce an increase of 0.44 per cent to Australia’s Gross Domestic Product,” the strategy said. In an initial phase, the government will create “digital hubs” in 40 communities to teach local residents about the services and technologies available to them through the national broadband network. It said digital skills training will be delivered through group sessions and one-on-one tutorials to help people learn basic online activities like setting up an email account; conducting Internet searches; participating in e-commerce and online shopping; accessing government services; and connecting with family and friends. “The hubs will also demonstrate the benefits provided by the NBN-empowered digital economy including e-health, digital education, ways to save money by participating online and tools for person-to-person visual communication online,” the strategy said. The government is also providing $12.4 million AU over three years for a “Digital Enterprise” initiative to help small- and medium-sized businesses and non-profit organizations in the 40 communities better understand online opportunities. “The program will provide advice to businesses on how to use the NBN to diversify their operations by allowing them to improve their online presence, offer new products and services, expand their market, improve their competitiveness, and increase their means of communicating with customers and suppliers,” the strategy said. The government also laid out an initiative called “Smart Grid, Smart City,” which will incorporate intelligent technology systems into transport and power infrastructure. The technologies will provide monitoring and information systems that will lead to more efficient electricity usage and more reliable and cost-saving transport systems, the government said. Middleton said the strategy is positive because it lays out specific goals and ways to achieve them. “People will say that these are motherhood statements and of course these are things we should have, but I think it's important to note that these objectives are put on the record by government with an intent to monitor progress towards achieving them,” she said. Although the Canadian government may announce a strategy soon, she said it has not consulted as extensively with the public as the Australians did. “We're still a long way from having a strategy with very specific goals and measurable outcomes in place.” sdoyle@thewirereport.ca

Australian national digital strategy raises questions about Canada’s place in the digital economy, experts say

News | June 1, 2011

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