It's broadband spin-doctoring time again

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 17 October 2006 06:09

Opinion and Analysis

It's become something of a regular six monthly ritual: the 'spinning' by both sides of politics of the OECD's twice yearly publication of statistics on broadband uptake  among member economies. And neither side comes off well. Instead they could seize on the OECD's comments to make some meaningful comments.

First, to get the facts straight: the OECD reported a very substantial increase of 33 percent over the past year in the total number of broadband services in operation across all 30 member economies. The OECD does not actually indicate how fast a service must be to be classified as broadband, but I believe it is 256kbps. The published statistics do not break down the figures by speed of service.

This growth took the average across as OECD members from 11.7 services per 100 population a year ago to 15.5. Australia had above average growth rates over the period, being ranked second after Denmark and now is well ahead of the OECD average with a penetration level of 17.4. Six months ago it was only just above the average with 13.8 against an average of 13.6. However despite this, it remains at 17 in the penetration rankings table.

Naturally communications minister Helen Coonan milked the growth figure for all it was worth "The OECD report singled out Australia as an example of a country which is connecting to broadband at a very high rate. The report says Australia is one of just eight countries that have added more than six subscribers per 100 inhabitants during the past year... It is clear that the number of broadband subscribers in Australia is now well above the OECD average and we may be ranked as high as second in the OECD in terms of the growth of broadband take-up. On any read we are certainly in the top five for the second consecutive year. This is an extraordinary achievement for Australia."

And for good measure she threw in data from the ACCC's regular broadband snapshot and gave the ALP a serve.