Technology Developments in the Digital Economy

Smartphones are expected to drive significant future growth in mobile communications and further unlock major opportunities in the digital economy for innovative content and applications for consumers, business, government and non-government organisations, according to a report on technology developments by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

The report, Technology developments in the digital economy, is an analysis of major developments in information and communications technologies and explores the implications of these changes.

ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman says digital technologies are really starting to have an enormous effect on the interactivity of individuals and organisations that now communicate using multiple forms of media in environments that are mobile, fast, and virtual.

Chapman says the report assists the ACMA, government, industry and the community to understand just how rapid is the pace of technology change, how it is impacting Australia and how to ensure all Australians reap the benefits.

The report says the combining of location-based information with other information sources in the digital community has provided a range of rich commercial and social applications that provide features beyond those of the original information sources—but the consumer experience of these enhanced features is equally raising interest in their privacy and security impacts.

It says citizens and consumers, government, business and non-government organisations, as well as professional media organisations, are developing and maintaining new forms of influence through social media.

As well it says the reputation of organisations can be harmed or enhanced through consumers sharing their bad or good experiences on social networking and social media sites.

A copy of the report is available on the ACMA’s website at www.acma.gov.au