Alarming increase in Aussie households’ telco costs, according to AAPT survey

Staff Writers
Thursday, 19 February 2009 16:35

IT Industry - Market

Telecommunications provider, AAPT claims a survey just released reveals an “alarming” increase in the telco costs of Australian households.

AAPT’s head of corporate communications, Tahn Shannon, says the survey of 1,000 adults conducted last November, found that AAPT, the telco costs of households had increased by about $44 a month in the past year.

According to the survey, 35 per cent of the 1,000 households surveyed nationally confirmed they were spending more on telco costs than they were a year ago, with more than one third citing mobile and internet services as the reason for the increased costs.
 
And, more than one in three households surveyed admitted the cost of keeping up with technology for their children was a burden on the household budget.

Shannon said the research results highlight the significance of technology costs for Australian households and the importance of shopping around for the best deals.

“It’s becoming clear that Australians don’t consider broadband and mobile phones discretionary purchases – these are increasingly deemed necessities and households are struggling to keep up with home telecommunications costs.

“Interestingly, despite the surge in monthly expenditure more than 50 per cent of households rarely or never consider telecommunications offers to assess if they’re on the best deal for their needs,” Shannon added.

The AAPT survey also revealed that 65 per cent of households said they found it somewhat difficult or very difficult to compare offers, while the reluctance to shop around and assess offers increased to approximately two thirds of households among the 55 years plus group.
 
And, according to AAPT, the research also revealed that a third of Australian households are moving to restrict the time spent on the phone and internet in an attempt to manage the expenditure.  Queenslanders were found significantly more likely than households in other states to restrict their usage to avoid creeping costs.
 
What’s more, says AAPT, females are also more inclined than males to monitor their mobile phone usage to avoid bill shock.

On a state-by-state basis, AAPT says the survey found:
• South Australian customers said they find it easier to compare telco plans than other states (45% vs 35% nationally)

• Households in Victoria and Tasmania are more likely than other states to have experienced an increase in their monthly mobile spend.

• Queenslanders are more likely to restrict the time they or their household spends on the phone or internet to keep telco costs down, than those in other states (42% vs 35% nationally)

• South Australian households are more likely to monitor their household’s internet usage to keep telco costs down (44%)