NSW Telco Authority (NSWTA) developed the Digital Connectivity Principles (DCP), a key initiative of the NSW Digital Connectivity Strategy, in consultation with government, industry and other key stakeholders.
The DCP are high-level principles, as opposed to standards, and are intended to guide and support digital infrastructure planning for construction projects. Given that infrastructure projects are diverse, the digital connectivity needs of customers who use the infrastructure varies between asset classes, and therefore the DCP recognise that there is no one-size fits all approach.
However, the implementation of each principle is informed by drawing upon a range of technical guidance and supporting tools, including standards, specifications and guidelines drawn from regulation, industry and standards bodies.
The goals of the DCP are to:
The DCP were implemented on 1 March 2024 for mandatory application to all new NSW government-funded infrastructure projects and upgrades that require a business case. They do not apply retrospectively to completed or funded, in-train projects.
Compliance with the DCP Policy by NSW Government agencies is mandated by a DCS Circular (DCS-2024-01 Digital Connectivity Principles Policy for NSW government-funded infrastructure projects) under the NSW Government’s Administrative Requirements Framework.
Compliance with the DCP is not mandatory for state-owned corporations or local government authorities, however, their adoption in infrastructure project planning processes is encouraged, given the goals and benefits of the DCP translate equivalently to non-government infrastructure.
References to compliance with the DCP Policy will be included in Treasury’s updated Business Case Guidelines which are scheduled for release in late 2024.
Digital connectivity provides access to digital services, applications, online platforms, data, Internet-of-things (IoT) devices and more that support participation in the digital economy and enable access government services. Good digital connectivity is essential for productivity, safety and equitable engagement in an increasingly digital society.
Digital connectivity infrastructure is the ‘digital plumbing’ that enables interconnection with digital connectivity delivery networks, such as fixed and mobile broadband, satellite, IoT, smart infrastructure and the Public Safety Network for emergency management communications.
However, while digital connectivity is increasingly seen as a critical utility, like water, electricity and sewerage services, it is not considered to the same level in the planning and design stages for infrastructure projects, resulting in digital connectivity infrastructure being overlooked, seen as optional or being poorly considered.
The DCP seek to embed digital connectivity infrastructure requirements into the earliest stages of project planning and design to ensure digital service needs are met, opportunities for efficiencies are identified and solutions are included in project budgets. This will reduce the need for significantly more expensive retrofitting of digital connectivity infrastructure.
There are five DCP, with DCP1 covering consideration of general digital connectivity requirements. The remaining four DCP support DCP1 and are intended to expand considerations to important themes that may not otherwise receive significant attention in project planning.
| No | Digital Connectivity Principle | Purpose |
| 1 | Assess, plan and provide for the digital connectivity that will meet the needs of infrastructure customers. |
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| 2 | Ensure the Public Safety Network (PSN)* is available in critical locations, being areas of mass congregation or critical infrastructure. PSN In-Building Coverage (IBC) systems may be necessary where macro coverage is insufficient. * The PSN is used by emergency services organisations, government agencies, emergency management entities, utilities and others with sanctioned roles in public safety and emergency management to communicate while performing their functions of keeping people safe and protecting property | To ensure:
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| 3 | Ensure digital connectivity infrastructure is resilient and secure. | To ensure:
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| 4 | Design infrastructure so that it is enabled to include smart technologies. | To support:
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| 5 | Optimise planning and place-based outcomes through accessible data on digital connectivity infrastructure. | To support:
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