Media Release
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity
Latest OECD broadband rankings reinforce the need for the NBN
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today said that the latest OECD broadband figures reinforce the need for the National Broadband Network.
The OECD ranks Australia 21st out of 34 for fixed line broadband penetration.
“The OECD’s figures continue to demonstrate the importance of rolling out the NBN to all Australians,” Senator Conroy said.
“Australia’s future economic and social prosperity will increasingly be tied to the digital economy.
“The Gillard Government’s investment in the NBN will ensure Australia is not left behind other developed and emerging economies in the years ahead. It will foster innovation and drive productivity gains, bringing significant benefits to the wider economy.
“The NBN’s fast, affordable and reliable broadband will help Australia rise up the OECD broadband rankings, even as other OECD countries develop their own super-fast broadband capabilities.
“The rollout of the NBN is gathering pace, with work expected to be underway or completed for over 750,000 premises by the end of the year and 3.5 million homes, businesses, schools and hospitals by 2015,” Senator Conroy said.
For more information about the OECD broadband rankings go to: www.oecd.org/sti/ict/broadband
Date: 18 July 2012
Contact: Adam Sims 0408 258 457
