This report by the Bureau of Communications Research provides an overview of the communications sector’s impact and influence as a critical enabler of economic and social activity in Australia.

The report discusses three main developments that are affecting the sector, including the merging of media content and communications technology; the increasing ubiquity of online platforms; and the emergence of over-the-top (OTT) services, such as Netflix.

While telecommunications remains dominant—accounting for around half of the sector’s output—OTT services are increasingly challenging traditional broadcasters in response to consumer demand for faster connectivity.

The report identifies a range of developments that will impact the sector in the near future, including the internet of things, 5G, virtual/augmented reality, blockchain, bots and eSIMS.