Talking smart 'info-structure' at the Realising our Broadband Future forum

I was lucky enough to be involved with the 'Smart Infrastructure' stream at this week's 'Realising our Broadband Future' forum in Sydney. What is smart infrastructure? In part it's using sensors and communications technologies to better use and sustain important resources, but I like to think of it as more about empowering people than about playing around with physical infrastructure. Smart 'info-structure' rather than 'infrastructure' perhaps?

With the coming roll-out of the NBN, Australia is perfectly placed to become a leader in the field of sensor networks. We need to make sure we integrate smart technology into our vital infrastructure to achieve things like reduced road congestion, improved water management, and maximised energy efficiency.

Some of the cool ideas we discussed in the stream today included:

• Intelligent road transport systems that can actively manage congestion and breakdowns; and more efficient planning and construction of roading systems using GIS
• Remote sensing and monitoring of water resources that lead to better management of ground and surface water; and more efficient and transparent water markets
• More efficient energy markets and pricing; better demand management, and more efficient management of energy security

The benefits of the application of smart infrastructure in these areas are well documented overseas, but what gets me even more excited are the countless other possibilities that have yet to be invented. As Vint Cerf says, most internet applications are yet to be invented.

So far so good, but what needs to happen for some of these cool ideas to become reality? There are plenty of technology requirements, but there's also the engagement and belief of users. End users have to see the value in systems like smart electricity grids, and they need to retain control of their data in order to feel comfortable participating. By the way, anything that makes life harder than it already is will fail to be adopted in large numbers!

There are a few other requirements that I can see before we'll really be poised for a smart infrastructure future. We'll need to see an even greater mindset shift in both the public and private sector around sharing information, and a commitment to using open standards to stimulate innovation in smart applications. The Gov 2.0 agenda is a great step in the right direction here.

We'll need a regulatory environment in Australia that's conducive to the development of new services.

We'll need enough wireless spectrum to support smart infrastructure which generally runs on a hybrid fibre-spectrum network, and the right regulatory framework around spectrum for the rapid growth of a variety of new devices and services.

And we'll need to address questions around where all of this new data will be managed.

All of this can be achieved by the right kind of collaboration between sectors, and by playing some things a little smarter - for example, let's only dig up ditches once and put the right stuff in them! That kind of cooperative thinking is going to turn this smart infrastructure dream into a reality for all Australians.

The conference organisers encouraged tweeting of the event's proceedings, so you'll find plenty of additional commentary by searching under the tag #bbfuture.

Posted by Alan Noble, head of engineering, Google Australia