The aptly-named Beyond 2020 Alliance brings together the peak body for Open Source communities in Australia, Linux Australia, with Information Technology Professionals Australia, a not-for-profit organisation established to advance the understanding of ICT, Internet Australia representing Internet users, and the Telecommunications Association, a multidisciplinary society with the aim of promoting knowledge, understanding and excellence in telecommunications and its applications including the digital economy.

The name Beyond 2020 has been chosen in recognition that the year 2020 is the nominal date by which the Australian Government believes that the NBN is completed.

Internet Australia secretary George Fong says the aim of the Alliance is to ensure that there is a broad technical and social discussion, “which engages the Australian community, about what outcomes are needed from an ever evolving digitally enabled world” – and “how we facilitate the achievement of those outcomes technically”.

“Further, the Alliance is committed to optimising the utilisation, coordination and integration of the digital infrastructure technology mix for maximum benefit to Australia, and Australians.”

According to Fong, years of vocal political debate and argument in respect of the shape and form of the NBN have left the Australian public in need of a “longer term conversation that seeks to shape the technical, and importantly, social, digital infrastructure of Australia, beyond 2020”.

“That discussion is intended to include, but span beyond the NBN network and must take in the evolving and converging mesh of technologies and infrastructure (fixed line, mobile/5G, fixed wireless, narrowband and satellite) in this country.

“Given that the starting point is 2020, the Alliance will reflect on the anticipated technical position of broadband, Internet and communications infrastructure at that point, and will provide a comprehensive examination and discussion of what will serve this country and her peoples' best beyond that time, over time.

“The Beyond 2020 Alliance is not a lobbying group. It has no political alliances and eschews political or partisan debate about the science and technologies of the digitally enabled economy and the infrastructure that supports it,” Fong said.

Fong outlined the intentions of the Alliance to build up what he said would be a combined body of evidence-based and research-backed sources and knowledge, “openly accessible by the Australian community, that arises out of the discussion, debate and exploration by participants”.

He says the Alliance hopes to inform the community of the choices of technology and most sustainable strategies to ensure that Australia’s growing needs are “both met and are capable of long term evolution and growth”.

“The Alliance aspires to become a well-regarded reference group and a highly respected, objective and sought after source of knowledge and information about the technical aspects and social impact of the digitally enabled economy and Infrastructure in this country beyond 2020.”