A new industry group has been formed in Australia to plot the path forward on convergence issues including VoIP and next generation networks.

The Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) will hold its first meeting on August 11.

Anne Hurley, chief executive officer of the group, said it will recommend solutions, hold forums and develop codes and standards for industry.

"The convergence of multiple technologies is blurring the boundaries of the various regulatory regimes and creating new challenges which the industry needs to address," she said.

"We are certainly entering an area of dynamic flux which will require some new and imaginative responses from a regulatory perspective.

"The ACIF convergence group will offer the opportunity for a broad cross-section of interested parties to sit down together and come up with some practical solutions without the need for government intervention."

Membership to the group has been drawn from the converged regulatory and technical environment as well as the traditional telecommunications sector. There are representatives from broadcasting, content providers, ISPs and regulators.