Media Release

Australians still pay too much for broadband

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

Senator Conroy said the latest statistics confirm once again that 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); and
• 12th most expensive for very high-speed connections (out of 28 countries)

Senator Conroy said the recent passage through both Houses of Parliament of theNational Broadband Network Companies Bills 2010 and the Telecommunications Legislation Amendments (National Broadband Network Measures-Access Arrangements Bill 2011) will further assist in reducing broadband prices for all Australians.

"The Government expects retail prices for high speed broadband services offered on the NBN will be both affordable and very competitive for all Australians no matter where they live," Senator Conroy said.

"If Australia wants to remain competitive in our region as the world moves to a 21st century digital economy, then we need to act now. The NBN is about investing in the future and the Gillard Government is getting on with delivering it."

The OECD broadband statistics can be found at www.oecd.org