DIRECTOR’S REPORT Peter Lamont Director ACRS and Senior Policy Advisor Peter.Lamont@neca.asn.au
IT IS THE START OF A NEW YEAR AND WE ALL LOOK FORWARD TO GREATER FREEDOMS, BETTER HEALTH AND STARTING TO GET OUR BUSINESSES THRIVING AGAIN. ONE THING COVID-19 HAS SHOWN US, IS THE VALUE OF DATA AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES. THERE HAS BEEN A QUANTUM SHIFT IN WORK PATTERNS, WITH SO MUCH MORE WORK NOW CONDUCTED ONLINE THROUGH TECHNOLOGICAL MEDIUMS AND MANY MORE PEOPLE WORKING FROM HOME. It’s not just work that has changed. Social interactions and keeping in touch with people now also relies heavily on technological mediums. The challenges facing industry during COVID-19 have affected offices, homes, events, hospitals, schools and public places.
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Survey data coming out of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is also telling us that it is not just young people who are using new and enhanced technology. People of all ages have improved their technological literacy and taken a liking to social media. In fact, ACMA found
that the age group with the highest increase in usage was the over 60s.
Industry shows COVID-19 has also meant that our industry partners have not been able to bring their new and developing technology to industry shows to keep you up to date with what is coming to the market. The last two years have seen consecutive cancellations of state-of-the art trade shows like Integrate and Security. Both shows are planning to be bigger and better in 2022, and are scheduled to occur from 17-19 August at the Sydney International Convention Centre, where they will provide everyone with a chance to see the latest innovations. One of the interesting innovations that will be on show will be touchless and secure entrances, which mitigate workplace health and safety risks (including the spread of COVID-19), as well as managing building populations by keeping track of all visitors and staff entering the premises. Melbourne ran an event from 8 to 10 March with the innovative Comms Connect, which included live events, speakers and a trade show.
The Australian Cabling Registration Service (ACRS) is one of five registered cabling registration providers approved by the Australian Media and Communications Authority (ACMA). ACRS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NECA and as well as providing cabling provider registration services, ACRS provides access to regular and timely up-to-date information on the state of the data and telecommunication industry, and makes representations to the Federal Government on behalf of the industry on policy and compliance matters.
April 2022
