Terms of reference

The National Broadband Development Group (NBDG) was established in 2007 as a Working Group of the Online and Communications Council (OCC).

Its primary objectives are to develop national policy settings and to support cooperative arrangements and a strategic approach to stimulating sustainable industry investment in scalable next generation broadband infrastructure for the economic, social and environmental benefit of Australia. In this context, it is recognised that there is still work to be done to ensure availability of basic broadband access for all Australians.

Specifically, the NDBG will:

• Identify and develop opportunities for cross-sectoral and cross-jurisdictional cooperation to achieve better outcomes for broadband development, with a focus on:
• • infrastructure and development
  • maximising the benefits of broadband through the growth and development of content and services in key sectors
  • equity of access to, and effective use of, broadband
  • new and emerging issues
  • collaborative arrangements for government intervention
• Act as a primary contributor of information and policy advice to the OCC, other relevant ministerial councils and jurisdictional policy development organisations to enable emerging broadband issues to be built into current and future policy processes.
• Ensure that the Australian community is kept informed of its operations and achievements in promoting broadband services in Australia.
• Report to the OCC, including on measures of the access to, and use of, broadband in Australia.