The technological and communications changes of the last 50 years have therefore had particular impact on Australia. Australia has invested heavily to ensure that all people in Australia, including those in remote communities, have access on an equitable basis to telephones and payphones. Government policy is to facilitate open market competition in the supply of telecommunications infrastructure and services.
Prices are down and services are expanding.
Pushing for more productivity and customer focus, Australia has exposed its public telephone company to competition and part-privatised it. The development and growth of the Internet has led to it becoming one of the most important services provided by the telecommunications industry. Australians are already important innovators on the Internet. They understand why dissolving distance is important. Distance has always been a defining challenge for Australians.