Two of Australia's pre-eminent information and communication technology research institutions have joined forces with the ng Connect Program, the multi-industry open innovation ecosystem founded by Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) 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). ng Connect was launched in Australia in October 2013.

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.

Key Facts:

  • ng Connect's 2014 Australian development program is currently scoping collaborative development opportunities and targeting new innovative members in the areas of Health & Wellness; Mining and Smart Transport & Logistics.
  • By providing a framework and resources for commercial solution development, ng Connect, is supporting great Australian innovation reach the marketplace faster.
  • ng Connect and its member community will benefit from and CSIRO and NICTA's leading ICT research programs and the potential to apply research results to prototype commercial services.
  • NICTA will provide connections to relevant spin-out companies.
  • ng Connect, founded by Alcatel-Lucent, is comprised globally of more than 170 members including leading network, consumer electronics, applications, platforms and content providers.

Quotes:

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. ng Connect will be an excellent platform to help identify new opportunities to commercialise our research in Health Services, Smart Secure Infrastructure and Government and Commercial Services in a dynamic commercial development community."

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.

About The ng Connect Program

The ng Connect Program is dedicated to the creation of the new generation connected user experience. With its dynamic multi-industry membership, Alcatel-Lucent's Gravity Centers and Global Customer Innovation Program, the organization drives relevance and new business models through innovation. Founded by Alcatel-Lucent, ng Connect is comprised of more than 170 members including leading network, consumer electronics, application and content providers. For a full list of members please visit: http://www.ngconnect.org/members/index.htm and for more information on the ng Connect Program, visit: www.ngconnect.org. Follow Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ngConnect.

About the CSIRO Digital Productivity and Services Flagship

CSIRO is Australia's applied research agency and one of the largest and most diverse of its kind in the world. CSIRO tackles national and global challenges which have a significant, positive impact on the future of Australia and humanity. The Digital Productivity and Services Flagship is Australia's response to the national challenge of productivity decline, through technology and services innovation in the digital era. With our industry and government partners, we research, develop and deliver digitally-enabled solutions for Australia's economic and social wellbeing.

About NICTA

NICTA (National ICT Australia Ltd) is Australia's Information and Communications Technology Research Centre of Excellence. NICTA develops technologies that generate economic, social and environmental benefits for Australia. NICTA collaborates with industry on joint projects, creates new companies, and provides new talent to the ICT sector through a NICTA-enhanced PhD program. With five laboratories around Australia and over 700 people, NICTA is the largest organisation in Australia dedicated to ICT research.

NICTA is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Communications and the Australian Research Council through the ICT Centre of Excellence Program. NICTA is also funded and supported by the Australian Capital Territory, the New South Wales, Queensland and Victorian Governments, the Australian National University, the University of New South Wales, the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland, the University of Sydney, Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, Monash University and other university partners.

Alcatel-Lucent Press Contact

Tim Marshall

tim.marshall@alcatel-lucent.com
+61 400 00 5373

CSIRO Press Contact

Sarah Klistorner

Sarah.Klistorner@csiro.au

+61 2 9372 4662

NICTA Press Contact

Dorothy Kennedy

dorothy.kennedy@nicta.com.au

+ 61 2 9376 2098

distributed by