Developing Connectivity Across the North
Tracks
Concurrent Room 4
| Thursday, August 6, 2026 |
| 2:25 PM - 2:45 PM |
| Concurrent Room 4 |
Overview
Naomi Evans, NBN
Details
1. Treat digital connectivity as core economic and community infrastructure.
2. Convert connectivity upgrades into real outcomes through readiness and collaboration.
3. Actively align local plans and expectations with how connectivity is delivered
Speaker
Mr Gavin Williams
Chief Development Officer
Nbnco
Developing Connectivity across the North
Presentation Overview
Northern Australia is rich in opportunity, culture and ambition—but connectivity is now one of the most critical enablers of whether that potential can be fully realised. As industries modernise, services digitise and communities grow more connected to global markets, reliable and high capacity broadband is no longer a “nice to have”; it is essential infrastructure.
In this session, nbn will share key learnings from delivering and upgrading connectivity across some of Australia’s most remote, regional and climatically challenging environments. The presentation will begin by exploring why connectivity matters—not just from an economic perspective, but for community resilience, access to education and healthcare, cultural connection, workforce participation and social inclusion. Northern Australians are increasingly digital first in how they live and work, and expectations of connectivity now mirror those in metropolitan areas.
The session will then turn to how connectivity is delivered across the North, and what has been learned along the way. nbn will outline how a mix of technologies—fibre, fixed wireless and satellite—are used to meet diverse regional needs, and how recent and ongoing network upgrades are designed to support future demand, not just today’s usage. This includes lessons from working with local governments, businesses, First Nations communities and regional organisations to ensure upgrades translate into real outcomes on the ground.
Importantly, the presentation will highlight that infrastructure alone is not enough. To truly unlock the benefits of improved connectivity, regions need clear digital plans, readiness to adopt new technologies, and collaboration across government, industry and community.
This session will provide practical insights for policymakers, regional leaders and developers on how connectivity can be leveraged as a catalyst for sustainable growth—ensuring Northern Australia is not just connected, but positioned to thrive in a digital future.
In this session, nbn will share key learnings from delivering and upgrading connectivity across some of Australia’s most remote, regional and climatically challenging environments. The presentation will begin by exploring why connectivity matters—not just from an economic perspective, but for community resilience, access to education and healthcare, cultural connection, workforce participation and social inclusion. Northern Australians are increasingly digital first in how they live and work, and expectations of connectivity now mirror those in metropolitan areas.
The session will then turn to how connectivity is delivered across the North, and what has been learned along the way. nbn will outline how a mix of technologies—fibre, fixed wireless and satellite—are used to meet diverse regional needs, and how recent and ongoing network upgrades are designed to support future demand, not just today’s usage. This includes lessons from working with local governments, businesses, First Nations communities and regional organisations to ensure upgrades translate into real outcomes on the ground.
Importantly, the presentation will highlight that infrastructure alone is not enough. To truly unlock the benefits of improved connectivity, regions need clear digital plans, readiness to adopt new technologies, and collaboration across government, industry and community.
This session will provide practical insights for policymakers, regional leaders and developers on how connectivity can be leveraged as a catalyst for sustainable growth—ensuring Northern Australia is not just connected, but positioned to thrive in a digital future.
Biography
Gavin was appointed Chief Development Officer Regional and Remote in October 2019, bringing more than ten (10) years of experience at NBN Co, and has more than 35 years’ experience within the telecommunications industry across Australia.
In this role, Gavin has broad oversight of NBN Co’s activities in regional and remote Australia including the development of infrastructure and capability, along with the community and stakeholder engagement functions pertaining to regional Australia.
Gavin is NBN Co’s Executive Sponsor for its First Nations engagement strategy and Reconciliation Action Plan.
Gavin has held leadership roles that have spanned engineering, product management, marketing and strategy disciplines across consumer, business and wholesale markets.
Prior to joining NBN Co, Gavin held positions in Telstra and Optus and was principal of an independent consultancy. He was a Board Director of Southern Cross Cable and is currently a Director of Regional Arts Australia.
Gavin holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Business Administration from Macquarie University. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
