Broadband internet urgent for local government: report
See also: 2006 Regional Co-operation and Development Forum
November 27, 2006
A much greater role for local government in helping provide broadband internet services is predicted in a new report on the “state of play” in Australia’s 64 local government areas.
The 158-page State of the Regions 2006-07 Report, released today, was commissioned by the Australian Local Government Association from top research body, National Economics.
The report points out that a trend in recent years by local government to become active in providing broadband backbone infrastructure is expected to grow. (Full details of the average download speeds in the local government regions starts at page 126 in the report.)
These initiatives are often undertaken with help from the federal government. The report discusses such projects in the Coorong, South Australia, Armidale in New South Wales, Bendigo and Mildura in Victoria.
It points out that Australia is at the bottom of international rankings for broadband internet penetration in developed countries but that our take-up rate is growing rapidly.
This is supported by recent comments by the Minister for Communications, Senator Helen Coonan, who says evidence Australia is continuing its strong broadband takeup is reinforced by a report from the OECD.
The OECD has singled out Australia as an example of a country connecting to broadband at a very high rate. We are one of just eight countries that have added more than six subscribers per 100 inhabitants in the past year.
Meanwhile, the State of the Regions report advocates greater activity by local government in these areas, saying that without its efforts it is highly unlikely that commercial operators will look after areas that are not on the top rung for commercial opportunities.
National Economics says the benefits of enhanced telecommunications are manifold.
It points to how better telecommunications can enhance regional competitiveness by providing the infrastructure to attract knowledge-based businesses to the regions and create opportunities for new knowledge-based enterprises.
It also refers to the ability of businesses to compete better in the marketplace when modern communications technology can give firms the ability to supply such techniques as to supply products on demand.
Among the many other benefits is online learning, given the growing trend for people to change their careers every 10 years, making lifelong learning strategies increasingly relevant to both individuals and business. Online-based education and training also provides employment opportunities for regional-based educators both in Australia and overseas.
» 2006-07 State of the Regions report
- Contact
- Amanda Lynch, Director, ALGA Public Affairs - 0419 123 862
- Michael Spencer, National Economics - 0419 123862
