• Thomas Apperley
• Institute for a Broadband-Enabled Society

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17 June 2011This report is based on data and opinions gathered in 23 semi-structured interviews with 26 professionals in key positions in the telecommunications and media industries. The interviews covered a number of topics of import to the telecommunications sector, including the current Convergence Review, which is here reported on. Interviews were conducted in person in Sydney and Melbourne, and by telephone between February 10 and May 4 2011.

This report covers the major findings from the interview data. These findings suggest that the framework in which the Convergence Review has been set may limit the capacity of the Committee to advise Government on the a policy framework that can cope with the demands of the rapidly changing convergent environment. While there is a strong consensus that such a review is timely and appropriate, there is also a common concern that any resulting policy framework should be based on principles that are both appropriate for the convergent environment and sufficiently flexible to cope with its dynamism. While the Committee has scope to advise Government to introduce radically new frameworks, many industry professionals are skeptical about the directions that the Terms of Reference provide the Committee because they believe this will impede the thoroughness of the deliberations.