Continued government support needed to avoid regional digital divide
20 August 2004
Continued government support is likely to remain important if a digital divide disadvantaging councils, businesses and individuals in regional areas, a new report has found.
The report - Broadband adoption by agriculture and local government councils - was conducted by Wondu Business and Technology Services for the Australian Local Government Association and the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.
The report said adoption of broadband could enable disadvantaged councils to take 'a large leap forward' by having access to low-cost broadband. Broadband access could improve efficiency and productivity, encourage research and online education and facilitate access to data-intensive consumer applications.
A survey of 200 councils across Australia, carried out as part of the report, found that all councils had Internet access. However, 89% of urban councils were on broadband compared to 59% of those in rural areas. Across the country as a whole, 68% of councils were on broadband and 32% on dial up. By early 2005, 85% of councils were predicted to be on broadband.
Nearly 40% of those councils not on broadband (equivalent to 10% of all councils) said they had no plans upgrade or did not know when they would do so. The reasons given for remaining on dial-up were: broadband not available (62%); dial up perceived to be cheaper (15%); and dial up best for their needs (11%).
The report recommended that higher speed and lower cost broadband satellite services or services that can compete with satellite should be developed as a priority.
ALGA President, Cr Mike Montgomery, said that further Australian Government support was needed to help councils and local communities access the full benefits that broadband access can bring.
"Funding provided by the Australian Government under the Networking the Nation program is having a tremendously positive impact on local government. We need to maintain the momentum and build on what we have achieved to date," Cr Montgomery said.
The report can be accessed at: http://connect.alga.asn.au/
