Comms Alliance and IBES launch digital economy research project

The Communications Alliance and the University of Melbourne’s Institute for a Broadband-Enabled Society (IBES) have launched a research project that will explore communications regulation in the digital economy.

The project - Communication Regulation in the Digital Economy - comes in response to recent and upcoming changes in the telecommunications and media sectors, such as convergence and the NBN.

It will examine the tools and philosophies needed to optimise converged digital communications in Australia, given these changes.

According to Communications Alliance CEO John Stanton, the project is intended to bring attention to the debate on digital economy strategy, and also provide some food for thought for the government’s 2011 Convergence Review.

IBES research leader Associate Professor Scott McQuire said: “This research will provide a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the telecommunications sector through interviews with a range of key stakeholders, as well as undertake international benchmarking by surveying developments in comparable countries.

“The findings of this research project will be a valuable tool in shaping future policy directions and will help to establish the basis for new regulatory instruments for a converged digital economy,” McQuire said.