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Driving a sustainable digital future for Australia

The United Nations' latest Climate Change report has been a timely reminder to the collective responsibility which we all play in driving positive change for the future. Not only has the report demonstrated that this is an incredibly nuanced and multi-faceted challenge, but that it is something which will require systemic transformation across every part of society. It is our fundamental belief that technological innovation and industry collaboration will be critical to addressing our most pressing challenges in ensuring a brighter and sustainable future for all Australians.

Managing Director of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand

Drone flying over a field

Managing Director of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand

Managing Director of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand

Communication is a basic human right

Over the last two years, the pandemic has demonstrated just how vital digital connectivity is when it comes to preserving Australia’s social fabric amidst a period of unprecedented change. This has been a period where long-standing ways of working have been overturned, where innovative approaches to entrepreneurship, healthcare, and education have been trialled and tested.

Digital connectivity and tools have undeniably been pivotal to this phenomenon. And as a result, we are seeing an acceleration to how digital infrastructure is now being perceived – it is now rightfully being considered alongside other essential services like water, electricity, and utilities.

Yet the latest findings from the Australian Digital Inclusion Index highlights the significant number of Australians who are yet to leverage the full benefits of digital technologies. According to the 2021 report, 28% of all Australians are still classified as either ‘highly excluded’ or ‘excluded’.

Australia’s unique geography and topography is a key challenge when it comes to ensuring digital equity for the nation. In order to provide access to true connectivity and digital opportunities, the likes of NBN Co. NBN Co and Ericsson are united by a shared vision and purpose; to bridge the digital gap and provide access to rural and remote communities separated by distances, the equivalent of entire European countries.

Such a unique challenge requires unique solutions, and Ericsson’s world-leading solutions have been powering NBN Co’s Fixed Wireless network for the last 10 years. Together with the advanced managed operations of the SkyMuster TM satellite networks, the combination of these technologies introduced an industry innovation that revolutionised the way remote communities accessed digital services.

For example, teachers and students in outback Australia were able to interact in a virtual classroom setting which enabled proper distance learning for the first time. Up till the 1950s, lessons were physically dispatched with a turnaround time of weeks and months. Ericsson’s partnership with NBN Co brought teachers and students together for the first time and ensured that the latest digital learning materials was at their fingertips.

The sheer scale of this vision cannot be understated. Ericsson has helped NBN Co essentially bring ubiquitous broadband to homes and businesses across Australia which will help to bridge the digital divide and support economic and community growth.

Ericsson’s commitment to this cause is fuelled by our belief that communication is a basic human need, and that all Australians should have access to digital tools and opportunities that will create a better future.

Technological innovation and sustainability

As access to digital technologies continues to grow, the reality is that this will result in a corresponding rise in energy consumption. And as the telecommunications industry continues to pioneer new tools and solutions, there is a real opportunity for the sector to implement and drive positive change.

Ericsson’s research has found that the ICT industry has the potential to reduce global emissions by up to 15% by 2030. This equates to ten times the digital technology industry’s own carbon footprint.

We are committed to putting these values into practice, and Ericsson has since committed to becoming fully carbon neutral by 2030. At the end of 2021, we have already achieved a 57% reduction in carbon emissions. More so, this goal of ours is closely aligned to NBN Co’s Towards-Zero Carbon Ambition, further demonstrating a strong strategic alignment where our collective innovation will continue to drive a sustainable, connected future.

Additionally, Ericsson’s 5G portfolio is expected to be 10 times more energy-efficient than its 4G counterparts - a benefit that will have exponential potential as it is implemented across our customers’ and partners’ networks.

5G has been described as one of the most pivotal changes in digital communications within a single generation, and it is my belief that seamless connectivity will be critical in facilitating the collaboration and innovation required to tackle the most pressing societal challenges around sustainability.

As we look to ensure all Australians have equal access to digital opportunities and tools, it’s evident that an unrelenting drive for innovation will power a sustainable future for the nation.

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At the Ericsson Blog, we provide insight to make complex ideas on technology, innovation and business simple.