Multimedia Victoria - Victoria Leading the Way on Information Superhighway

Victoria Leading the Way on Information Superhighway Media release - 6 February 2008 Victoria's broadband subscriber base has increased by over a quarter of a million customers in the past nine months, recent research commissioned by the Brumby Government has revealed. Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Theo Theophanous said the new era of working in cooperation with the federal government would improve progress in providing the latest communications technologies to all Victorians. "Victorian households and businesses are taking to broadband in unprecedented numbers, with the state adding 264,517 new broadband subscribers since 2006," Mr Theophanous said. "Broadband coverage has increased to 94 per cent of the state population, with 99 per cent of Melbourne households now having access to services. Regional coverage also increased, reflecting 83 per cent of households having basic broadband access, with further room to grow. "The Brumby Government is alert to the need to deliver quality broadband services to regional areas and will continue to advocate for a better deal on behalf of regional users." Mr Theophanous said the Brumby Government welcomed news today that Telstra would activate its entire ADSL2+ network after holding positive negotiations with the Federal Labor Government regarding the future of national broadband services. "Telstra's decision today is a major breakthrough in improving broadband service delivery to Australia – and in our case more than 660,000 homes and businesses in Victoria – in line with the Federal Government's $4.7 billion National Broadband Network plan," Mr Theophanous said. "It is also an encouraging sign of a new era showing the Federal Labor Government's ability to work with the ICT industry suppliers to achieve better outcomes for families and businesses nationwide. "The next step for the state will be looking beyond basic broadband into new fibre optic technologies, such as fibre to the node, which is the proposed platform for the National Broadband Network plan. "The Brumby Government sees the development of next generation networks and services as critical for the State's future connectivity, innovation and productivity. "The very high speed and quality of next generation networks mean sending and receiving high quality video and audio material in real-time could become part of everyday business and personal communication. "World-class broadband, including next generation networks, are a foundation for innovation and we will be looking to strengthen those opportunities wherever possible." The next series of Victorian Government telecommunications reports will focus on next generation networks.