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Conroy claims OECD stats prove Australians pay too much for broadband

Australia doesn't stack up well by comparison with other countries broadband subscription prices

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, claims new statistics released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) highlight the critical need for the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Senator Conroy said the latest statistics confirm Australians pay more for broadband than people in most other OECD countries.

"These OECD statistics are further evidence that Australia cannot afford to stand idly by with our ageing copper network and sub-standard broadband services," Senator Conroy said.

"The NBN will provide Australia with world-class broadband infrastructure. It will open up a genuine choice of services and drive competitive prices for consumers, whether they live in a capital city or in regional, rural or remote areas."

According to the OECD statistics regarding average broadband subscription prices, Australia is:

  • 3rd most expensive for very low-speed connections (out of 24 countries)
  • 14th most expensive for high-speed connections (out of 33 countries)
  • 12th most expensive for very high-speed connections (out of 28 countries)

Senator Conroy said the recent passage through both Houses of Parliament of the National Broadband Network Companies Bills 2010 and the Telecommunications Legislation Amendments (National Broadband Network Measures-Access Arrangements Bill 2011) would help reduce broadband prices for all Australians.

The OECD broadband statistics can be found here.

Nominations for the 2012 ARN IT Industry Awards open on Tuesday, June 12.

More about: etwork, OECD

Comments

1

Quodd

Fri 15/04/2011 - 13:06

Oh snap! we are not in the top ten most expensive for High Speed and Very High Speed Categories!

You are right Mr Conroy we do need the NBN, we definitely need to pick up our game in these areas and the NBN will be sure to pick us up a top 5 spot!

2

Mike ELLIOTT

Fri 15/04/2011 - 13:52

The NBN cost if it has to be passed on the users should get us into the top of the list position.....

3

Richard Bourke

Sat 16/04/2011 - 15:13

Great, so Conroy is now promising to lower the cost of broadband!

I pay $14.50 per month (no contract) giving me 2Gb quota at about 7mbps.

How much cheaper will I get that from the NBN?!

4

frednerk

Thu 28/04/2011 - 20:16

i'm using wireless who needs nbn and a lot of holes in the ground

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