Forthcoming in the Handbook of Research on Global Diffusion of Broadband Data Transmission. Harrisburg, PA: Idea Group. (2007) THE ADOPTION OF BROADBAND INTERNET IN AUSTRALIA AND CANADA Catherine Middleton School of Information Technology Management Faculty of Business Ryerson University 350 Victoria Street Toronto, ON Canada M5B 2K3 Phone: +1 416 979 5000 x. 7923 Fax: +1 416 979 5249
[email protected] Shanton Chang Information Systems The University of Melbourne Victoria 3010 Australia Phone: +61 3 8344 1583 Fax: + 61 3 9349 4596
[email protected] 1 THE ADOPTION OF BROADBAND INTERNET IN AUSTRALIA AND CANADA ABSTRACT Broadband internet connectivity is seen as a means to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of an economy. But despite ongoing efforts to promote broadband in Australia, uptake has been much slower than expected. This paper aims to identify areas that have been holding up the broadband development in Australia. In examining multiple areas for attention (competition, user characteristics and behaviours, applications, network characteristics, and pricing), we refer to the experience of Canada, a leader in broadband deployment, to show the differences in each area. The paper outlines objectives for the development of a more user-friendly broadband environment in Australia, which would encourage broadband adoption. Although both countries discussed here have their own policy agendas and some unique circumstances related to broadband deployment, the paper provide valuable insights for policy makers and industry leaders in Australia, and in other countries which are struggling to develop widespread broadband deployment. KEYWORDS Broadband Internet, Canada, Australia, Broadband Supply, Broadband Demand, Facilities- based competition, ADSL, Cable modems INTRODUCTION Broadband has been considered as a key to enhancing competitiveness of an economy and sustaining economic growth (International Telecommunication Union, 2001, 2003c; OECD Directorate for Science Technology and Industry, 2001, 2002).