About Telecommunications

Information and Communications Technologies are fast becoming a ubiquitous component of everyday life. During the course of a single day, one is likely to use or be affected by many different telecommunications technologies. Examples abound:

  • Broadcast radio and television, relying on terrestrial and satellite microwave links;
  • Cellular telephones, no longer used only for voice communications, but a platform for multimedia messaging and entertainment, relying on infrastructure networks;
  • Internet access to a growing number of multimedia applications such as music downloads and streaming video, enabled by high-speed data transfer over optical fibers and consumer broadband digital modems connecting to cable or digital subscriber line;
  • Access to public, corporate and private computer networks or the Internet, via ethernet or wireless LAN equipment;
  • Synchronization of a personal digital assistant or cellphone with a laptop using wireless or infra-red links.

Provision of Telecommunications services involves a wide spectrum of commercial interests: service providers, network operators, equipment manufacturers, regulators, consumer goods manufacturers to name a few. Telecommunications is without a doubt one of the most critical infrastructure technologies of this century. It is well accepted that Information and Communication Technology is a key contributor to national productivity and growth.

Use the navigation options on the left hand side to find more about the telecommunication industry and research areas.