The vast majority of Australians have both a fixed landline and mobile phone, and Internet access. According to new research released today by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, 90 per cent of Australians have both mobile and fixed line phones, and 80 per cent have Internet access (mostly through broadband).
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,22457125-15306,00.html
http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;1069081774;fp;2;fpid;1
http://cellular-news.com/story/26191.phpAlso see:
Australians have a voracious appetite for telecommunications [news release]
Telecommunications are embedded in the lives of the vast majority of Australians, with nearly 90 per cent having both a fixed landline and mobile phone and 80 per cent of households having access to the Internet, mostly through broadband.The findings, released today, are part of the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s Telecommunications Today report into consumer attitudes towards the take up and use of telecommunications services in Australia.Telecommunications Today draws on results from consumer focus groups and a national survey targeting adult Australians in April, 2007.It found that while Australians depend highly on telecommunications services, that reliance is significantly influenced by socio-economic factors, with age and having children particularly shaping attitudes towards uptake of mobile phones and broadband Internet.In line with Australia wholeheartedly embracing telecommunications services, the research also shows that Australians are becoming increasingly aware of new and emerging telecommunication services. Thirty per cent of mobile phone users reported having a 3G mobile phone, while 81 per cent of Internet users were aware of a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service, with 21 per cent of them having used one.Over coming months ACMA plans to publish additional research reports with further analysis on other issues covered in Telecommunications Today.These issues include take up and use of communication services by small business and farms, the level of substitution and complementary usage between mobile and landline services, and more detailed consumer attitudes to the potential take-up of new emerging services and technologies.The full Telecommunications Today report can be found on ACMA’s website here.
Backgrounder
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is undertaking an examination and analysis of a number of aspects of the use and provision of telecommunications services in Australia. The work program has been designed to assist ACMA in its role as the industry regulator and is consistent with its regulatory responsibilities to make available information and report about the telecommunications industry.As the first study in this work program, this report presents the findings of qualitative (focus groups) and quantitative (consumer survey) research into consumer attitudes towards take-up and use of telecommunications services in Australia. The purpose of this research is to provide an understanding of consumer demand within the telecommunications market.This study’s main objectives are:
- To identify the levels of take-up and use of various telecommunications services by consumers;
- To explore consumer attitudes and behaviours towards these services, such as:
- What motivates consumers to take- up particular services?
- Why do consumers use particular services?
- How do consumers decide which services to purchase?
- What do consumers perceive to be critical telecommunications services?
The study also aims to ascertain how factors such as age, gender, occupation, income, household structure and locality influence consumer take-up and use of telecommunications services.In investigating these issues, ACMA is also seeking to gain an understanding of the significance of specific telecommunications services to Australians. ACMA has found that there is limited consumer attitudinal information and research on telecommunications.This research was also undertaken to meet ACMA’s statutory reporting requirements under the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 and Section 105 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 which require ACMA to report and advise on matters.
http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_310702