The audience of more than 850 people from the local ICT industry, government, media and broader community heard first hand Mr Trujillo's vision for Australia, which includes Telstra's recently-launched Next G™ network, Australia's fastest and largest mobile broadband network.

Mr Trujillo echoed the sentiments of AIIA’s Chief Executive Officer, Sheryle Moon, who argued that the “real revolution is about to begin… ICT will literally transform every aspect of business, life and society.”

“I want the idea of an ‘ICT revolution’ to be stamped on everyone’s heads, to help you articulate the value of the industry now and into the future,” Mr Trujillo said.

As the central nervous system of the Australian economy, Telstra is helping to shape the ICT revolution.

Australia’s leading telecommunications company is making the most significant contribution to advance Australia’s infrastructure that our country has ever seen, Mr Trujillo said.

In October, Telstra launched its Next G™ wireless broadband network, which gives 98 per cent of Australia’s population the ability to share experiences over their mobile phones and through their computers using Next G™ turbo cards.

Next G™ is the next step in Telstra’s vision of the future: a vision of ‘wall to wall connectivity’.

Mr Trujillo outlined a number of Telstra projects which were investing in the local community – such as the capital and skills investments in Queensland which would help both the local and national economies.

One of the most exciting projects is the largest property leasing arrangement in Brisbane’s history - a 50,000 square metre, 10-year lease agreement with leading property developer Charter Hall.  The agreement is expected to create around 2,000 construction jobs over the next two years, and reinforces Telstra’s ongoing commitment to Queensland.

Telstra is working hand-in-hand with businesses and community groups around Australia to harness the powers of ICT, Mr Trujillo explained.  Customers can call one number to order a Dominos Pizza anywhere in Australia, while fire-fighters in Victoria were able to access real-time connectivity through the Next G™ network this weekend.

The message is clear: ICT is transforming businesses, communities and the way we live.  Government, industry and the wider community must embrace and apply technology to continue driving the growth of the Australian economy.
 

Speaking at the luncheon today in Brisbane, AIIA's Chief Executive Officer, Sheryle Moon told the audience that the ICT revolution has just begun.

"There is strong evidence that the last 20 years was just the warm up as the tools that enable collaboration and connection were forged, sharpened and distributed," Ms Moon said.

EDS’ Vice President of Applications Delivery for Australia & New Zealand and Asia, Scott Ayer, has been appointed Chairman of AIIA in South Australia.

On Friday, AIIA acknowledged that the new changes to the machinery of government in Victoria will elevate the status of the ICT industry across the whole of government.

Following the introduction of the Gateway Review Process by the Australian Government mid year, AIIA members have been asking about the process, particularly the potential impact on suppliers who do business with government.

The first of three changes to the Trade Practices Act has now been passed and will come into law early in the New Year.  Guest contributor, David Lieberman of David Lieberman and Associates, provides a brief summary of some of the key changes.