GLOSSARY

ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)

A connection based transfer system which sends information in cells of a fixed size.

Broadband

Defined by the ABS as an 'always on' internet connection with an access speed equal to or greater than 256kbps.

Cable

Describes those technologies including coaxial cable, fibre optic cable and hybrid coaxial cable which are capable of transmitting data at speeds of up to 10Gbps.

Collaboration

Active joint participation with other organisations which involves some sharing of technical or commercial risk. Straight fee-for-service arrangements are not deemed to be collaborative and are therefore excluded.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

More properly referred to as xDSL as this covers several digital technologies (e.g. Asymmetric DSL or ADSL and Symmetric DSL or SDSL) for fast two-way data connections over the public switched telecommunications network.

Finance

• Debt finance includes any finance the business must repay.
• Equity finance includes finance provided in exchange for a share in the ownership of the business.

Financial reference period

Financial year ended 30 June 2016. Businesses with a different financial year were asked to report for a 12 month period which ended between 1 October 2015 and 30 September 2016.

Fixed Wireless Internet access

Point to point microwave link, generally building to building or tower to building which allows subscribers within the receiving building to access the Internet. Sender and receiver must be within line of sight and no more than 22 kilometres apart, although newer generations of this technology have overcome some of these obstacles. Examples of technologies included as fixed wireless are fixed WiMax, LMDS and MMDS.

Foreign Ownership

Businesses were asked to report their percentage of foreign ownership as at 30 June 2016 by selecting one of the four available options. A definition of foreign ownership was not specified.

Frame Relay

Communications protocol used to ensure that data is delivered correctly over a packet-switching system transmitting at up to 2Mbps.

Franchising Agreements

Businesses were asked whether they were involved in any franchising agreements during the year ended 30 June 2016. Businesses could be identified as a franchisee (i.e. operated a franchise), franchisor (i.e. controlled a franchise system) or both.

Geographic Markets (in which businesses sold goods or services)

Businesses were asked to identify in which geographic markets they sold their goods or services during the year ended 30 June 2016. There were four options: local (the immediate area, town or city in which the business is located), outside of local area but within the state/territory, outside of state/territory but within Australia, and overseas. Multiple responses could be provided.

Innovation

An innovation is the introduction of a new or significantly improved good or service; operational process; organisational/managerial process; or marketing method.

Innovative activity

Innovative activity includes any work that was intended to, or did, result in the introduction of an innovation.

Intellectual property

Refers to the ownership of ideas and control over the tangible or virtual representation of those ideas.

Internet

A world-wide public computer network. Organisations and individuals can connect their computers to this network and exchange information across a country and/or across the world. The internet provides access to a number of communication services including the World Wide Web and carries email, news, entertainment and data files.

Main source of business income

Businesses were asked to identify their main source of income from the sale of goods or services during the year ended 30 June 2016. A list of sources was provided, however, definitions for large businesses or organisations and small and/or medium businesses or organisations were not.

Main supplier of goods or services

Businesses were asked to identify their main supplier of goods or services for the year ended 30 June 2016. A list or suppliers was provided, however, definitions for large businesses or organisations and small and/or medium businesses or organisations were not.

Measures of business innovation

Two measures of business innovation are included in this release:

• Innovating businesses - businesses which introduced any type of innovation during the reference period.
• Innovation-active businesses - businesses which had undertaken any innovative activity during the reference period including: introduction of any type of innovation; and/or the development or introduction either still in progress or abandoned.

Non innovation-active businesses

Businesses which did not undertake any innovative activity in the reference period.

Order

A commitment to purchase goods or services.

Other broadband

Includes ATM and Frame Relay.

Social media

Social media presence includes web and mobile-based technologies which are used to turn communication into interactive dialogue among organisations, communities and individuals.

Web presence

Web presence includes a website, home page or, in the case of a presence on another entity's website, it is included, providing the business has substantial control over the content. A website or home page is an electronic document that is accessed via a unique address on the World Wide Web. The document provides information in a textual, graphical or multimedia format. Web presence excludes online listings or directories.

Working arrangements

Businesses were asked to identify the working arrangements they offered to their employees during the year ended 30 June 2016. Businesses were asked to report all of the arrangements that applied from the list provided.