News

Nine additional communities on the Sunshine Coast can now switch to the National Broadband Network (NBN) after services recently went live in the following areas: Mapleton (surrounds) North Arm Browns Creek Cooloolabin Eumundi West Pomona (surrounds) Black Mountain (surrounds) Cooroy (surrounds) Tinbeerwah West Construction has also started in Bli Bli (surrounds) with homes and businesses in this area able to connect to the NBN in the coming 12 months. Residents can check if their home or business is in an NBN coverage area. How to connect to the NBN Step 1: Order a service Contact your preferred telephone company or…

The Federal Government has released a policy paper outlining a roadmap for telecommunications regulatory and structural reform including a response to the recommendations of the independent cost-benefit analysis of broadband and review of regulation, led by Dr Michael Vertigan AC. Telecommunications Regulatory and Structural Reform (PDF, 644.7 KB) The Government will implement policy reforms that include: a phased implementation process that will deliver a more competitively-neutral market structure long term requiring networks competing with NBN Co to offer wholesale services on a non-discriminatory structurally separated basis legislating that NBN Co be the infrastructure provider of last resort replacing NBN Co's…

The Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts (DSITIA) is conducting a state-wide survey of the digital industry. Its aim is to produce a Queensland Digital Industry Profile report that covers industry size, business structures, locations (particularly regional distribution), revenues, employment, ownership, markets served, exporting and research and development activities, funding, skill shortages, industry engagement with the government's four pillars, and future policy priorities. This is the first state-wide survey of organisations operating in the digital industry since 2006-7. Some organisations may have already received an email from Antony Skinner, the Queensland Government Statistician, inviting their organisation to…

The Sunshine Coast is already at the forefront of the digital economy, providing the platform for businesses and communities to thrive well into the future. Regional Development Australia (RDA) Sunshine Coast CEO Russell Mason said businesses, community groups and leaders were actively leading initiatives and a range of programs to ensure the region responded to the challenges and opportunities of digital disruption. “These efforts have been recognised with the Sunshine Coast being named one of the world’s Smart21 Communities of 2014 and 2015, as well as receiving the Queensland Google eTown Award for 2013,” he said. “We are part of…

BizDojo has announced a new partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) with the launch of a coworking space in Brisbane scheduled for mid-2015, followed by a series of centres throughout the State. New Zealand-based BizDojo cofounders Nick Shewring and Jonah Merchant will bring the culture of connectivity and community into Australia to support the small business landscape, strengthening the knowledge economy and shaking up how people work in shared spaces. “As well as introducing our way of activating space to a city ripe for a new approach, we see potential for CCIQ’s innovation centres to serve…

NBN Co has announced another 46,600 premises on the Sunshine Coast are set to receive the National Broadband Network (NBN) under its new national rollout plan. The construction work scheduled from December 2014 includes Beerwah (surrounds), Maleny (surrounds), Nambour, Pomona (surrounds), Maroochydore and Wurtulla. The plan reflects the company's new, flexible multi-technology approach and provides an indication of scheduled construction work up to June 2016. This approach means that for most households and businesses: If already served by the Optus or Telstra Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) cable networks - these areas will likely receive fast broadband over an upgraded HFC…

The Sunshine Coast is ripe for economic expansion driven by community collaboration and clever business ideas, according to a special report into the impact of the region’s first Startup Weekend in May. Startup Weekends are 54-hour entrepreneurial events where people with diverse skills and business backgrounds meet to pitch ideas, test new venture concepts and build startup companies. The report found the Startup Weekend Sunshine Coast event raised public awareness of entrepreneurship in the region and formed #SiliconCoast, a supportive entrepreneurial community where experienced entrepreneurs mentor new startups. The Impact Report, released last week by School of Business Lecturer in…

Moving beyond business-as-usual online experiences and driving more favourable market conditions to advance digital are the cornerstones of pushing Australia to the top of the leading digital nations, according to the 2014 Digital Australia Report. It says monitoring the digital environment in order to respond to changes as they happen is integral to success. “The leaders in this area will be from organisations where innovation is expected and encouraged, where digital is firmly integrated into business strategy, and where their value proposition is based on being quick to respond to new customer behaviours while working to create new ones.” The Digital…

One of the biggest challenges for SMEs is finding ways to get more productive and grow without being bogged down in time consuming and costly approaches. Increasingly technology is providing solutions – allowing businesses and individuals to become more productive and efficient. But the challenge lies in equipping your SME with the right tools. The free eBook, Five ways to get productive and grow with technology solutions, is designed to showcase these findings and demonstrate how SMEs can increase their productivity without enormous costs. You’ll also learn: What SMEs find challenging about adopting new technology How SMEs can overcome a lack of…

The following article by BRW highlights 10 of the most interesting facts from the SEQ Startup Ecosystem Report, which estimates the economic impact of disruptive technology in 2025 could be more than $96 billion, or roughly 24% of the state’s future economy: There is a debate about whether governments should encourage entrepreneurship and innovation all around Australia, or focus on creating an Australian version of Silicon Valley. Mike Cannon-Brookes, co-founder of one of Australia’s greatest start-up success stories Atlassian, recently argued that Australia needs to back one city to be the hub of start-up activity and that it should be Sydney. Zach…