BUREAU OF COMMUNICATIONS RESEARCHDR PAUL PATERSONChief Economist and Head of the BCR8 OCTOBER 2014

Comms Day Congress Melbourne

Purpose of the Bureau

To identify, assess and explain developments in digital technologies, communications networks and services, and the operation of communications markets, to inform strategic policy directions

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To achieve this objective, BCR will

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Provide

• robust, independent, expert economic and technological research and analysis to inform policy development

Pu

blish

• authoritative, easy to digest research and analysis on developments across the digital technology and communications sectors

Pro

acti

vely

• engage with stakeholders across industry, public sector and research areas:• d

evelop a focussed, needs-driven research agenda

• provide useful intelligence to the Minister and the department

• stimulate informed discussion on policy and regulatory issues

What is the Bureau of Communications Research?>A professionally independent economic and

statistical research unit within the Department of Communications

>Formed to strengthen the Department’s: – Research capacity, – Fact base – Policy capability – to prioritise and develop – Stakeholder engagement – Strategic advice

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What is the Bureau of Communications Research? (cont.)

>Established on 1 September 2014 with 20 staff drawn from across the Department covering the breadth of the portfolio – telecoms, media, post and ICT

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What is the Bureau of Communications Research? (cont.)

> Is establishing its research program and a robust QA process, enabling government to consider its findings at arms length

>As the first “born-digital” government research unit, the BCR will use a range of online tools extensively and support government open data policies

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BCR strategic framework•Role and contribution of Australia’s ‘digital platform’ to national productivity and output growth – strengthen understanding in government

Elevated Recognition

•Identify key blockers to and enablers of coms sector innovation, development and efficient market operations

Barriers & Enablers

•Focus research on top-priorities for reform to enable markets to operate as efficiently as possible, stimulating innovation, consumer choice and lower prices

Policy Priorities

•Enhance intelligence and insights on sector developments, trends, policy initiatives and regulatory frameworks

Evidence & Analysis 7

Elevate the importance and policy significance given to Australia’s ‘digital platform’ as a core factor of production

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> Economic basis of impact on growth in national productivity

& output > Size of this impact > Advocacy - greater

national attention

Identify barriers to, and enablers of, comms sector innovation, industry development and efficient market operations

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> Industry structures that distort price signals and hamper

innovation> Government-

imposed market

distortions > Regulatory failure

Focus on top priority policy changes that will enable markets to operate as efficiently as possible

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>Materiality >Adoptability >Consultation

Enhance knowledge of research results, sector trends, change points, policy and regulatory options

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> Leading indicators

> Market trends

> Policy comparisons

> Research results

CollectCurate

NarrateDisseminate

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Leading Indicators

> Growth trends in uptake of new technologies and infrastructure, transitioning away from traditional tonew platforms

> For example:• Retail trade data from NAB and ABS• Indicative statistics from NBN Co• Internet access and mobile activity data

> We will be comparing and analysing data to identify drivers and barriers for uptake of technologies and associated policy and regulatory implications 13

Invitation

Encourage contact with the BCR

Send feedback on the BCR’s strategic framework

Contact uscommunications.gov.au/bcr bcr@communications.gov.au

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