Software Defined Networks

The recent pandemic underscored the Australians’ increasing reliance on digital infrastructure to support the social infrastructure. Government services, education, healthcare, amongst other basic community services are moving online. As such access to the internet is increasingly regarded as an essential service.

However, despite the crucial role of digital technologies in everyday activities, there remains the issue of the digital divide. The digital divide pertains to the significant gap between those who are connected and those who are not. In Australia, while the majority are increasingly using devices and living in connected homes, approximately 2.5 million Australians are still not connected to the internet. This disparity can lead to social and economic disadvantages for those impacted, especially those living in rural and remote areas.

Closing the digital divide means getting the full benefits of digital development for governments, business, and communities. These benefits encompass a range of the sustainable development goals, including productivity and efficiency, and social and economic inclusion.

Reducing the complex obstacles to access – also including affordability – require a combination of innovations in policy-making and managing digital infrastructures. As such, addressing the the digital divide requires a concerted effort from business, government, and communities; and is central to attaining the global goals. In this project, UNOVA is working with key actors from industry and government to explore the role of emerging technologies in bridging the digital divide. Recent developments in networking and automation can reduce the risk of costly network misconfigurations, as well as reduce bottomline costs for individual consumers. Outcomes of this project can assist in the uptake of these emerging technologies, with the potential benefits not just of more efficient network architectures, but more broadly, a more digitally inclusive society.