Evolution of the Net (7) : even in Australia

In the first quarter of 2003, it was estimated that 75% of Australians 16 years and over had access to the Internet.
Sweden (90%), U.S.A. (86%), France (55%)

Online time per user per month averaged 10 hours over 18 sessions.

Broadband penetration continues to be low

86% of connections still by modem

Cable available only in affluent suburbs in Sydney and Melbourne, plus a proportion of Canberra

ADSL is only feasible within 3-4 km of a proportion of telephone exchanges

In many areas, far less than 56Kbps from dial-up connections

Government (June 2003) : 19.2Kbps = acceptable target minimum transmission speed

Broadband penetration, because of high pricing and incomplete availability, continues to be low, with 86% of connections still by modem (but including a few ISDN users). Cable is available only in affluent suburbs in Sydney and Melbourne, plus a proportion of Canberra, and ADSL is only feasible within 3-4 km of a proportion of telephone exchanges. SDSL is only now becoming available. Satellite is even more expensive than the other broadband alternatives. See also Sale (2001).

Moreover, users in many areas where broadband is unavailable or excessively expensive get far less than 56Kbps from their dial-up connections. The Government has been successful in its endeavours to avoid survey information about achieved dial-up speeds becoming publicly available. As late as June 2003, in its response to the Regional Telecommunications (Estens) Inquiry, it made clear that it still regards 19.2Kbps as being acceptable as a target minimum transmission speed for regional and rural Australia, and even for less fortunate urban areas.

http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/II/OzI04.html