-We are in line with most OECD countries in placing broadband rollout at the forefront of out communications policy," Alston said, dismissing claims the provision of broadband in Australia was not inline with other OECD countries.
To support his statements, Alston choose to focus on the extent to which Australian's have access to broadband services, rather than the number of people accessing the services.
-The key measure is the availability of the service rather than adoption rates," Alston said, drawing the conclusion that the principal reason for slow take up was a lack of compelling content. He also expressed concern that any pricing controls placed on the industry, would inhibit investment.
In saying that broadband take up in the residential market would be predominantly entertainment-driven, he discounted any idea that the Federal Government may play a role in encouraging domestic use of broadband.
-It would be premature to assume that this push should be government supported," Alston said. However, he went on to underline the importance of broadcasting technologies in the provision of broadband connectivity describing the pay TV sector as a key component of the broadband sector.
-Our supply side approach, designed to promote competition and new market models, has been successful," Alston said. -Australia is well placed to take up broadband, given the infrastructure already in place and our propensity to take up new technologies."
Alston failed to indicate when the Broadband Advisory Group announced at the World Congress on IT last week would conveine, nor give any further indication who might take part, although he did recap on a litany of government spending aimed at developing broadband offerings and applications.
-Consumers are waiting for compelling content to give them the incentive to switch to broadband," Alston said.
Yes we need more content and apps to take advantage of broadband.
We need streaming media(both audio and video),
Ability to share and transfer files,
Abilty to communicate and collaborate with one another,
Online gaming,
Browsing,
Email,
etc...
Wait a sec .... these are here now!!!!
Hmmm, why isn't there more take up?????
Is it infrastructure, nope, that can't be it. Everyone has access to BB.
Hmmm, what else could it be???
Reliability??? Price????
Naaa, that can't be it. Could it????