Two of Australia’s pre-eminent information and communication technology research institutions – CSIRO and NICTA – have joined forces with the ng Connect Program, the multi-industry open innovation ecosystem founded by Alcatel-Lucent to create new ultra-broadband end user experiences.
CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency through its Digital Productivity and Services Flagship and NICTA, Australia’s ICT Research Centre of Excellence, have announced their participation in ng Connect, the multi-industry open innovation ecosystem created to foster collaborative development of new service and business models.
Through ng Connect, CSIRO and NICTA will access a vibrant multi-industry membership of Australian and international innovators, building on existing research and market activity to accelerate the validation and commercialisation of concepts that create new value and productivity.
CSIRO and NICTA join a growing Australian ng Connect membership, including more than 20 commercial players, as well as NBN Co and the Institute for a Broadband-Enabled Society (IBES). Involvement in the ng Connect ecosystem builds on existing collaboration between CSIRO, NICTA and NBN Co in initiatives such as the Australian Centre for Broadband Innovation (ACBI) by providing new partnering opportunities and routes to market for Australia’s broadband innovators.
Hugh Durrant-Whyte, CEO of NICTA, said: “Industry collaboration and commercialisation are key focus areas for NICTA as we seek to build market impact with our leading ICT research. ng Connect offers an exciting opportunity for NICTA to engage with leading commercial innovators in critical areas such as health and transport and logistics, and I look forward to working together with other members to establish new commercial opportunities.”
Dr Ian Oppermann, Director of CSIRO’s Digital Productivity & Services Flagship, said: “CSIRO’s Digital Productivity Flagship is Australia’s response to the national challenge of productivity decline and we have a clear goal to build additional value in the Australian economy by developing and delivering more efficient and innovative services. Working closely with industry is an important element in all innovation.”
Liza Noonan, Alcatel-Lucent Australia Market Development and ng Connect Australia Director, said: “With significant ultra-broadband investments and a dynamic innovation community, Australia is uniquely placed to lead the development of new service and business models that enhance user experiences while providing new sources of value within the development ecosystem. By providing a unique framework for collaboration, we hope ng Connect, working with members like NICTA and CSIRO, can be a valuable industry-led contributor to Australia’s future digital landscape.