ICT and Electronics
Adelaide is Australia's number one cost-competitive city for software and web/multimedia development.1
ICT activities centre on:
• software
• ICT services
• hardware/electronics
• creative industries
• telecommunications
South Australian ICT businesses provide innovative products and services to global customers. These range from enterprise and industrial systems, business intelligence and financial services through to health, education, mining, defence, mobile and satellite telecommunications, transport, internet and web 2.0 services and entertainment.
South Australia has a strong electronics sector specialising in the design and manufacture of sophisticated defence, communication and instrumentation systems, sensors and medical devices.
Overview
South Australia’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector is forecast to achieve high growth rates on the back of the State's resources and defence industry expansion over the next five years, making it an exciting investment location.
Adelaide is an innovative telecommunications hub. Next generation high-speed broadband internet is available throughout the city. Adelaide was one of the first cities to offer free wireless broadband access, which now covers large areas of central Adelaide on a par with cities like San Francisco and Chicago. Citylan provides people using a wireless-enabled computer or hand held PDA to undertake 'free web browsing'.
Construction of SABRENet, an 80 km-long ultra high-speed optic cable, was completed in 2007 and now links all universities, research institutes and major hospitals. Broadband is also available throughout much of regional South Australia.
Adelaide is home to some of Australia's leading critical application outsourcing providers with their own secure infrastructure, including Hostworks and Internode.
In support of the growing creative industries sector, the South Australian Government provides financial incentives to companies developing new creative content, including mobile applications, animation and games. Filmmakers shooting in South Australia are also eligible for location a incentives, while also having direct access to the renowned South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) for ongoing support.
Output
• Estimated to be $5 billion in 2007-08.2
Exports
• $2.1 billion interstate and overseas in 2003-04.
• Key export markets are the USA, UK, Canada, the Middle East and New Zealand.
Employment
• 19,000 + people employed in 2007.
Number of businesses
• 1,100 businesses.
• More than 50% of businesses are involved in software and ICT services.
Research and development
• Four universities (Adelaide, Flinders, Uni SA and Carnegie Mellon) provide undergraduate and post-graduate computer engineering and associated IT management degrees.
• Three universities (Adelaide, Flinders and Uni SA) have strong co-ordinated research programs.
• Construction completed on SABRENet – an 80-kilometre, $63 million, ultra high-speed optic cable linking all universities, research institutes and major hospitals.
• One of the first cities in the world to offer free WiFi access.
• Digital media companies have access to Cine.net; a super-fast broadband communication network.
• Next generation high-speed broadband available throughout Adelaide.
• Adelaide-based M.Net Corporation works with national and global organisations to develop new mobile internet services.
Geographic focus
• Most ICT firms are located in Adelaide.
Source: SA Centre for Economic Studies 2005.
Companies
Key multinationals that have set up software development centres in Adelaide include BAE Systems, Saab Systems, EDS, CSC and Fujitsu.
Major Australian companies with development teams in Adelaide include, Mincom, DWS and Krome Studios.
Case studies
EDS
MGM Wireless
Rising Sun Pictures
Rocket Reader
Strategic Data Management
Industry groups
Australian Industry Group
Australian Information Industry Association
Australian Interactive Media Industry Association
Australian Telecommunications Users Group
Electronics Industry Association
Game Developers Association of Australia
ICT Council of South Australia
South Australian Film Corporation
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