Building a Resilient Digital Future: Harnessing Technology for Economic and Social Growth in Northern Australia
Tracks
Concurrent Room 4
| Thursday, August 6, 2026 |
| 2:50 PM - 3:10 PM |
| Concurrent Room 4 |
Overview
Kathryn Jones, Telstra InfraCo
Details
1. Investing in advanced digital infrastructure is crucial for Northern Australia's economic and social development, enabling both regional and urban communities to thrive in a connected world.
2. Australia's leadership in innovative technology solutions and data growth is attracting global attention, demonstrating the importance of collaboration and forward-thinking strategies.
3. Practical applications showcase how harnessing technology can drive efficiency, resilience, and sustainable growth in key industries.
Speaker
Kathryn Jones
Executive, National Infrastructure Projects
Telstra Infraco
Building a Resilient Digital Future: Harnessing Technology for Economic and Social Growth in Northern Australia
Presentation Overview
We are living in an era of rapid digital transformation, where technological innovations are reshaping our world at an unprecedented pace. Innovations in AI, machine learning, the Internet of Things, and 5G connectivity, are dramatically reshaping Australia’s industries and communities. These advancements present tremendous opportunities for growth, but realising their full potential depends on having robust and resilient digital infrastructure in place.
Telstra InfraCo is committed to building a digital ecosystem that supports growth for all Australians, no matter where they live. Telstra InfraCo’s ~$1.6bn investment to build the Aura Network, a bigger and better digital highway across Australia is making steady progress with construction crews currently building in and around Alice Springs to deliver the Darwin to Adelaide route.
With its considerable resources, land and geographic location, Northern Australia is in a very strong position to take advantage of the significant opportunities the digital economy has to offer. From driving innovations in remote and autonomous machinery in the mining sector, to leveraging robotics in manufacturing and agriculture to providing access to real time remote health care technologies that will revolutionise the health care of people living in regional areas.
Despite the opportunities, Australia faces challenges in keeping pace with global leaders in digital readiness. We must address gaps in infrastructure, research and development, workforce skills, and governance to remain competitive on the world stage. The surge in data generation and consumption makes resilient infrastructure more important than ever.
The time for preparation, investment and bold thinking is now to give Northern Australia the best chance to set itself up as a leader for digital innovation that will support the economies of today and those in the future.
Telstra InfraCo is committed to building a digital ecosystem that supports growth for all Australians, no matter where they live. Telstra InfraCo’s ~$1.6bn investment to build the Aura Network, a bigger and better digital highway across Australia is making steady progress with construction crews currently building in and around Alice Springs to deliver the Darwin to Adelaide route.
With its considerable resources, land and geographic location, Northern Australia is in a very strong position to take advantage of the significant opportunities the digital economy has to offer. From driving innovations in remote and autonomous machinery in the mining sector, to leveraging robotics in manufacturing and agriculture to providing access to real time remote health care technologies that will revolutionise the health care of people living in regional areas.
Despite the opportunities, Australia faces challenges in keeping pace with global leaders in digital readiness. We must address gaps in infrastructure, research and development, workforce skills, and governance to remain competitive on the world stage. The surge in data generation and consumption makes resilient infrastructure more important than ever.
The time for preparation, investment and bold thinking is now to give Northern Australia the best chance to set itself up as a leader for digital innovation that will support the economies of today and those in the future.
Biography
Kathryn has worked at Telstra for more than 2 decades across customer facing commercial, sales and operational delivery roles. As Executive of Telstra InfraCo’s National Infrastructure Projects, Kathryn leads the delivery of a complex portfolio of strategic and major capital projects above $500m TCV that present new offers to market and long-term future proof growth options for Telstra, including the ~$1.6BN Telstra Aura Network and the Copper Recovery Program. As a results-focused and relationship-driven Executive, Kathryn brings more than 20 years experience and proven success in leading growth and transformation for Australia’s biggest technology and communications services provider (Telstra).
