High-profile speakers confirmed for RadComms 2016

The Communications Minister and ITU Secretary-General are both confirmed to give keynote addresses at RadComms 2016 in Sydney from 9–10 March.

High-profile speakers such as the Minister for Communications and the Arts, Senator Mitch Fifield, and Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Houlin Zhao, are confirmed to give keynote addresses at RadComms 2016 in Sydney from 9–10 March.

The conference will explore how spectrum reform will enable innovation and the digital transformation of Australia.

Senator Fifield will be joined by an impressive line-up of private and public sector experts, including Houlin Zhao, who will be visiting Australia for the first time as Secretary-General. It will be Zhao’s only public engagement.

The former chief executive of News Corporation Australia and FOXTEL, Kim Williams, will also deliver a keynote speech about broadcasting and digital disruption, while Productivity Commissioner Jonathon Coppel will speak about the final report by the commission on public safety mobile broadband.

“The theme of RadComms 2016 is ‘Spectrum Reform-Enabling Innovation’, which couldn’t be more appropriate at a time of ongoing but major reassessment of priorities for spectrum management over the next few years,” said ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman.

“The ACMA’s mobile broadband strategy, the Productivity Commission report on public safety mobile broadband, implementing the outcomes of the spectrum review and the impact of superfast streaming on broadcasting and associated industries are just some of the fascinating challenges that the ACMA and the industry will again face this year.”

Event details

RadComms 2016 — now in its tenth year — is a must-attend spectrum management conference in Australia for radiocommunications stakeholders to meet with key decision-makers while hearing about spectrum developments from government, industry and the ACMA.

The conference will include presentations from private and public sector experts and give delegates the opportunity to find out about a range of emerging and innovative developments and technologies, including 5G and Intelligent Transport Systems. With the outcomes of the Spectrum Review announced in August 2015 and the World Radiocommunications Conference held in November 2015, the conference is expected to  provide a timely opportunity to engage with industry about spectrum reform initiatives, and spectrum management and its utilisation.

The program sessions include:

• Mobile Broadband: Focused on both the ACMA’s mobile broadband strategy and the final report to government by the Productivity Commission on public safety mobile broadband.
• Seizing Opportunity — Fostering Innovation: A look at emerging and innovative technologies in the spectrum area, including 5G and small satellites.
• Broadcasting and Superfast Broadband: How will technology and business models evolve in and around traditional broadcasting?
• Policy Reform — Framework for the Future: Implementing the government’s spectrum reform agenda.
• Smart Everything: A range of spectrum-related developments framed around the maturity of the Internet of Things.
• Innovation as Usual: The traditional end-of-conference ACMA wrap-up, which will include a report on recent achievements and set out priorities for the year ahead, interleaved with industry speakers who will be able to provide their perspective on both recent achievements and work in progress.

The full RadComms 2016 program is expected to be released soon. Registrations close on 29 February. To register, click here.

Pictured: Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary-General. Courtesy ITU