This report is the first in a series written to inform the development of the Telecommunications Sector Risk and Resilience Profile project. It presents the results and findings of the first stage of the project, providing an evaluation of Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental factors that influence the Australian telecommunications sector.

The report highlights areas of opportunity and potential challenges for telecommunications resilience by synthesising findings from consultations with Federal government, State and Territory governments, industry and academia across the country. 

The objectives of the Telecommunications Sector Risk and Resilience Profile project are to develop a sector-wide telecommunications risk and resilience profile taking an all-hazards approach, and to provide an independent evidence base for future policy decisions. The project focuses on risk and resilience of the telecommunications sector in areas of existing connectivity and draws on the collective expertise of government, industry, utility providers, emergency services, the disaster management community, and academia. This report details the outcomes of stage one of the project, a Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental (PESTLE) analysis that will inform subsequent stages.

Findings

• Policy: Australian governments have worked to enhance competition and access in telecommunications over the past 25 years, but issues like concentrated ownership, high prices, and rising consumer complaints remain.
• Economics: Challenges like consumer dependence, labor shortages, global competition, and rural investment disparities, necessitate strategic interventions to ensure equitable access and promote economic growth.
• Social: Access to reliable telecommunications services is crucial for all Australians, serving as the foundation for business operations, government services, social interaction, and public safety.
• Technological: The sector is undergoing significant transformation due to new technologies and changing infrastructure. Rising data demands require costly upgrades to existing infrastructure, while competitive pressures from over-the-top providers increase.
• Legal: Multiple bodies and overlapping jurisdictions lead to conflicting regulations at state, federal, and territory levels. Additionally, the legislative framework struggles to keep up with rapid technological advancements, complicating regulation and highlighting the need to repeal outdated laws rather than just amend them.
• Environmental: Australia’s changing climate is creating significant challenges for the telecommunications sector due to heightened average temperatures, shifts in rainfall patterns and a sharp increase in the frequency and severity of natural disasters.