Tomorrow's technology starts with today's spectrum planning

Spectrum is an exciting field, albeit that it has been somewhat of a comparative 'sleeper'. Now its time has come as we (the government, the Department, the regulator and industry participants), collectively, embark on various initiatives, reforms and developments that will ensure that spectrum delivers for Australia the maximum benefit possible from a scarce national resource. ACMA is committed to delivering on this legislative objective. At the last RadComms conference, I spoke of a typical day in my life and how it was affected by spectrum. In a similar vein, on this occasion I would like to look at the seemingly 'small' things my spectrum planners do and how these 'small' things may make a material contribution to enabling momentous change in the world of tomorrow: be it 10 or 20 years hence. Please bear in mind that these are things I think may eventuate; there are no guarantees, nor are they intended as any pre-emption. In setting some context for discussions over the next few days, I simply wish to explore the role of spectrum and its management in the greater scheme of things. So, let's have some fun for a moment, cast ourselves into the future, and take a peek at the effect of today's decisions many years down the track.