State communications
Addressing the communications needs of Western Australians.
- State Communications Policy
- Our role
- Telecommunications Needs Assessment
- Regional Telecommunications Independent Review
- Related links
- Contact us
State Communications Policy
Western Australia – A connected community: state communications policy (PDF 1.9 MB) provides a coherent approach by the State Government to addressing the communications needs of Western Australians.
Communications services are critical to the economic and social development of Western Australia (WA).
WA, its residents and the business community, must have access to effective and affordable advanced communications services and infrastructure. Communications – telecommunications and broadcasting – are essential services.
The policy was developed by the department with input from many other State Government agencies, community and industry associations.
Our role
Under the Australian Constitution, the Commonwealth Government has responsibility for the regulation and development of communications infrastructure. Because communications are of such fundamental importance to the State, the State Government, through the department will continue to actively ensure that the needs of Western Australians are met.
The department is focusing on using the following levers available to State Government, to address communications issues:
- Ensuring that we receive the best possible advantage from Commonwealth resources available for telecommunications enhancement
- Encouraging competition
- Using Government’s purchasing power, planning powers and assets
- Providing targeted funding for strategic outcomes.
In particular, the department’s responsibilities include:
- Developing, analysing and advising on policy and projects relating to telecommunications and broadcasting
- Working with other jurisdictions, across government and with industry and the community to develop coordinated and strategic approaches to addressing communications issues
- Championing industry issues that have strategic implications for WA
- Advocating strongly for the communications needs of all Western Australians with the Commonwealth and in other appropriate forums
- Facilitating and coordinating the implementation of major strategic telecommunications projects across the State.
Note. Internal government telecommunications is the responsibility of the Office of e-Government.
Telecommunications Needs Assessment
The Western Australian Government produced its second telecommunications needs assessment in 2002/2003. It is a successor to a report produced in 1997 (the Boshe Report). It focuses on telephone, Internet and data services as well as broadcasting. The study assessed the level of communications services available to people in regional areas, and their needs for basic and advanced services. It focused on the nine regional development areas with a control group in the Perth metropolitan area.
The audit provided valuable data for the creation and funding of projects such as IT Skilling for Outback WA, the Kimberley Broadband Solutions (for remote Indigenous communities) and the State Communications Policy.
To obtain a copy of the assessment telecommunications needs assessment please contact us.
Regional Telecommunications Independent Review
Related links
Following are links to telecommunications-related councils, groups, forums and unions:
- Australian Communications and Media Authority (www.acma.gov.au/) - Australia’s regulator for broadcasting, the internet, radiocommunications and telecommunications
- Australian Telecommunications Users Group (www.atug.com.au/) - a not-for-profit membership-based organisation of Australian telecommunications users that works for better choice, value and services in the sector
- Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (www.dbcde.gov.au/) - activities include ensuring the telecommunications, broadcasting and radio-communications sectors meet the needs of all Australians and are internationally competitive; creating ICT industry opportunities for Australia; and promoting Australia through international and regional telecommunications agencies and organisations
- International Telecommunication Union (www.itu.int/) - activities undertaken by the ITU cover all aspects of telecommunications, from setting standards that facilitate seamless interworking of equipment and systems on a global basis to adopting operational procedures for the vast and growing array of wireless services and designing
- Office of E-Government (www.egov.dpc.wa.gov.au/) develops whole-of-government policies to maximise efficiencies in the public sector’s collective ICT capability, while at the same time assisting individual agencies to develop and implement their own e-government initiatives.
Contact us
For more information on the department's work to improve state telecommunications please contact us.