The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released a report showing that wireless 3G broadband subscribers increased by a massive 162% during 2008 - 2009.
According to the report subscriber numbers went from 809,000 in June 2008 to 2.1 million in June 2009. The massive uptake represented about 25% of all Australian internet users, compared with 11% from the year before.
3G mobile phone services also increased by 43% to over 12 million subscribers in 2009, up from 8.55 million in 2008.
The massive uptake can be accredited by a few key measures. The wireless 3G broadband market has progressively become better value over the past couple of years, with prices dropping and quota increases, the services are almost comparable to a standard ADSL connection nowadays. Also as the major carriers roll out their 3G networks to more areas, more Australians are receiving access to the new high speed networks.
The other major attribute is the number of teenagers and young adults fleeing the nest in recent years and no longer connecting a traditional landline phone service. With mobile services now far spread and affordable, younger Australians are choosing wireless over traditional forms of phone and ADSL in much larger numbers.
Telstra recently released figures showing that its cash cow, line rental, had dropped significantly in recent years thanks mainly to the take up of wireless and Naked DSL services.
Also notable in the ACMA report was the rise in complaints with 3G wireless services. More than 115,000 complaints were received in 2009, compared to 63,000 in the previous year.
With continued competition in the 3G spectrum we can expect to see further price reductions and faster speeds in the near future as more and more of us get mobile with our Internet access.
| Comments |
|
