BROADBAND AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE
We believe that broadband (defined as a data service capable of providing the required data amounts at the speeds required to keep up with growing demands) is the new ‘essential’ service of this century. By essential service, we categories broadband together with other essential services such as water and power.

The vast majority of community interactions are now occurring in the digital, Internet connected sphere. Business, education, shopping, entertainment and social connections are now all occurring online, at increasing speed and utilising increasing data amounts. Without adequate access to broadband communications, individuals, communities and vast areas of the country would be left behind in a ‘digital dark age’.



THE ISSUE
What we have witnessed over the past few decades since the privatisation of communications services in Australia is the progressive decline in communications accessibility in urban fringes, regional and remote areas. The digital divide between metropolitan data networks and regional areas has grown to alarming proportions.