The take-up of broadband services is approaching three million connections, according to the latest Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Snapshot of Broadband Deployment issued today

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Snapshot of Broadband Deployment was issued today. “The report shows that as at the end of December 2005, there were 2 785 000 broadband services connected across Australia.  Of these, more than two million were ADSL connections”, ACCC Commissioner, Mr Ed Willett, said.

Total quarterly growth in broadband was 12.1 percent for the December 2005 quarter.”The December results complete the overall trend of consistent growth in broadband take-up throughout 2005.  Although growth in the December quarter was down on previous quarters, 2005 saw the take-up of broadband services increase by 85 percent, which amounted to an increase of over 1.25 million customers.

“In 2005, it was the take-up of DSL broadband that by far exhibited the strongest growth. However, there was also steady growth in the take-up of broadband delivered by other technologies, including satellite and cable.  There are also signs that take-up of wireless broadband services is beginning to increase, albeit off a limited base”.
  
Main report findings

As at 31 December 2005 total broadband take-up was 2 785 000 

Broadband take-up has increased by 1 280 100, or 85 percent, from the December 2004 figure of 1 504 900  

The take-up of ADSL services is now at 2 013 300 

Growth of DSL-based services continues to be significant 

The take-up of wireless broadband services appeared to increase in the December quarter. However, as not all wireless providers have provided data to the ACCC, the take-up figures are incomplete, although the ACCC does not expect that this is to a material extent 

Total quarterly growth in broadband was at 12.1 percent for the December 2005 quarter:- this is down from the September 2005 figure (18 percent)