Page 888 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 9 April 2014
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technology to improve how health care is practised, delivered and monitored. In solar, NICTA’s Canberra laboratory is teaming up with solar energy experts from the ANU, ActewAGL and local ACT companies Armada Solar and LAROS Technologies to develop ways of predicting the expected power output from rooftop solar energy systems.
This work offers the potential of major efficiencies and savings for government, growth for business and improvements to the way our community can access vital services. Importantly, this is not just our claim. An independent analysis by Deloitte estimates NICTA’s economic impact to the nation at $2 billion per year through productivity and efficiency savings. Clearly, NICTA is a leader in Canberra’s evolution as a digital city.
Equally, good digital access for Canberrans and visitors is an increasingly important part of our city and economic life. Cities around the world have implemented public wireless broadband capabilities, improving the city’s image, social inclusion and enhancing their overall experience. Free public wi-fi is based on an international standard that makes it easy to connect to using mobile services and means. We can address the digital divide by delivering universal access. Tourists will not have to pay premium roaming charges when visiting Canberra. No more 3G congestion in town centres during peaks times, particularly at bus interchanges. Mobile workers will be able to do their work on the move, delivering more efficient services to the community.
Free public wi-fi will allow Canberrans to become more intensive users of the internet, anytime. Specifically, it will help people to participate online for free, regardless of age or socio-economic status, access online services and make online transactions. Free public wi-fi is a key enabler of a connected society. It will increase digital engagement. We already know the link between digital engagement and commercial success has been well documented.
Businesses using digital technologies are able to lower communication costs, find new customers and international markets and access information and other outputs more easily. Consumers want and expect faster access to products and services and employees increasingly expect greater flexibility in regards to their work location. What we need to remember is that digital technology is no longer a perk for the highly educated and highly paid but a vital ingredient for opportunity in our community.
Upcoming milestones in our education system illustrate the vital importance high speed internet has taken on in the classroom. E-books in ACT schools through the library management system will be piloted in June 2014, pilots of Google apps for education and Microsoft 365 cloud-based services will occur with eight schools in 2014, and a further expansion of safe and secure wireless access will create better access for students from their own personal devices.
At the tertiary level, the importance of a strong digital presence is also growing. The government’s study Canberra initiative, which the Chief Minister is also promoting in China this week, is now showcased online by a new website available in both English and Chinese. It reflects a concerted shift in university education to the online
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