99% of Australians With Broadband By 2009?

Recently a study of broadband penetration rates around the world was in the news, because the US has fallen to 24th place worldwide, at 53%. Now comes word that the Australian Prime Minister has announced a $1.68 billion (US) plan to move Australia to 99% penetration within two years. If they accomplish this goal they will be the most-wired nation (South Korea currently occupies the top spot with 90%). The Prime Minister's plan was attacked by his political opponents because it would create a two-tier system with the country's vast (and almost empty) interior served by wireless at "only" 12 Mbps.

Snicker

[psaunders]

In the context of election promises made by Howard's government, I think the term 'penetration rate' begins to take on an entirely different meaning...

I have yet a more ridiculous comoment to make:

[mrbluze]

...to move Australia to 99% penetration within two years. If they accomplish this goal they will be the most-wired nation (South Korea currently occupies the top spot with 90%)

I say that 99% penetration will do wonders for Howard's hopes for an increased birth rate, and will also satisfy many social liberals on the other side. We'll probably become the most screwed nation on earth, beating Niger at 48.91 per 1000 head of population per annum.

Re:Heck, No

[glittalogik]

The safest computer is one that isn't connected to the Internet. That's why I use Telstra Bigpond ADSL.

its easy

[doktorjayd]

just change the definition of broadband.

then change the definition of 'internet'

then pay a consultant $A2b.

now, about my fee...

Re:The Real Reasons Howard Wants Broadband = Spam

[kgbspy]

Good to see Labor (bless their cotton socks!) turning their attention to the weighty issue of irritable bowel syndrome.

Re:the measurements are wrong!!!

[NoMaster]

So, she was still referring to "a gigabyte of power" like she was on the 7:30 Report [abc.net.au] a few hours earlier, was she?

(Silly Americans are still dicking around with tubes - whereas we in Australia have Gigabytes of Power!)

Re:Summary wrong.

[raju1kabir]

they're aiming for broadband to be *available* to 99% of the population

...so long as those people are willing to move to Sydney.

Re:The Real Reasons Howard Wants Broadband = Spam

[Anonymous Coward]

How do you think the private sector's going to recoup their investment? Go on, have a think about it. Do you think it will come from corporate altruism, or perhaps from our pockets?

You silly hippie... The free market will solve it all with its magic invisible hand. You know, the one that no one ever sees, but everyone always believes is there.

Re:fibre to the door of Uluru

[cammoblammo]

Unfortunately I have no way to find out. It seems they don't have the phone on.

Re:I have yet a more ridiculous comoment to make:

[nick_davison]

I say that 99% penetration will do wonders for Howard's hopes for an increased birth rate

I think you're a little confused:

99% penetration is just another way of saying, "Baby, I promise I'll pull out before I cum!"

Sure, you've got to factor in the numbers that don't live up to their word. But subtracting those who do, does the actual figure go up or down?

24th place isn't so bad really...

[jon287]

Here in America we have to find a way to stop teenagers from downloading "Fergalicious" before we can even think about more broadband rollouts...