High-speed broadband investment paying dividends for business productivity

Analysis by the Bureau of Communications, Arts and Regional Research (BCARR) released today has revealed the productivity benefits to businesses who switch from the outdated copper wire network (like exchange-based DSL) to high-speed broadband delivered by fibre or cable-based technology.



The research found that the National Broadband Network (NBN) has transformed Australia’s fixed-line broadband infrastructure and that more productive firms tend to have high-speed broadband connections.



The Albanese Government is committed to delivering fast, reliable and affordable broadband to all Australians – and this research supports how this continued investment is also helping businesses reach their full potential.



The NBN, which was established in 2009 by the then-Labor Government, has transformed Australia’s broadband infrastructure, with exchange-based DSL connections decreasing from 73 per cent in 2011 to just two per cent in 2022.



Businesses are increasingly carrying out activities online, with 92 per cent relying on digital/online payment technologies in 2021, and 55 per cent making use of paid cloud computing services in 2020.



The Albanese Government has invested $2.4 billion to enable an additional 1.5 million premises to transition from Fibre to the Node (FTTN) to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) by 2025 – over 660,000 of which will be in regional areas. The next tranche of eligible suburbs – one million premises – was announced by the Government earlier this month.



For more information/to view the BCARR analysis, visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/news/productivity-impacts-improved-broadband.

 

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:



“Affordable, reliable and high-speed broadband is no longer a ‘nice to have’ - it is an economic and social necessity. This analysis shows fast broadband is a key to unlocking productivity.



"The Albanese Government's investment in the NBN is laying the foundation for a more prosperous Australia.



“The government is investing $2.4 billion to expand full-fibre access to more homes and businesses across the nation, bringing the NBN to its full potential. It’s this type of sensible, targeted investment that will ensure Australia remains competitive on the global stage, and continue to drive productivity into the future.”