Dubbed Future Forums, the first event from the series will be held in Sydney on July 18, 2006.

It will address technical, regulatory and commercial issues relevant to NGNs.

Anne Hurley, chief executive officer of the ACIF, said the discussions will provide strategic input on a range of complex technologies.

"[NGNs] will rely on a variety of access technologies, all of which present complex operational, technical, regulatory and commercial challenges. The workshops can provide valuable input into the strategies the industry needs to pursue," she said.

She said ACIF's position as a representative of the communications industry puts it as leaders of discussion.