There is pent up demand for broadband internet services in regional and outer metropolitan areas of Victoria, Australia. A survey of 1,780 residents and businesses in the Great South Coast region found that while many use ADSL2+ broadband, satisfaction with internet speeds is low. Faster third wave fixed broadband services like the National Broadband Network are not widely available yet. The lack of access restricts opportunities for economic and social development. Regional collaboration and an accelerated rollout of high-speed broadband could help strengthen existing competitive advantages and increase adoption of new technologies.

1. Pent up demand for broadband services Australian Computer Society’s Telecommunications Society of Australia Forum28 June 2011 Melbourne

2. Coordinated regional and local planning

3. Research objectives Gather ICT related data at a LGA and regional level Map ICT adoption levels and service satisfaction Identify areas of pent up demand for ICT services Consider the aspirations and intentions of local government, residents, businesses and other stakeholders Identify areas of potential opportunity Recommend actions

4. Online Survey1,780 residents and businesses

5. Results overviewGreat South Coast n=596

6. Response mapGreat South Coast

7. What sort of internet access do you use?Great South Coast

8. What monthly cost do you pay for your internet service?

9. Please indicate your level of satisfaction with internet speed

10. Opportunities that could be generated from access to the best available mobile, internet and other ICT services

11. Please indicate what you consider as the most important and pressing issues about the internet

12. Frustrations or barriers encountered in using mobile services

13. Key findings Next generation broadband recognised as an essential utility Second wave coverage currently restricted to regional cities and town where exchanges are enabled for ADSL2+. Significant unmet demand for third wave fixed broadband services. An even higher number would have adopted second wave broadband services but were unable to do so due to a lack of coverage. Regional and outer metropolitan Victoria is well placed to embrace the NBN Collaboration at a regional scale is supporting advocacy and other actions ICT is well recognised as a driver of economic and social development Regional areas such as Ballarat have a high concentration of ICT expertise and skills Strong innovation capacity and track record Readiness to adopt an array of new models for service provision An accelerated rollout of high speed broadband will strengthen existing competitive advantages and capacity.

14. Access study reports, survey results and telecommunications maps atwww.cecc.com.au Helen Thompson Centre for eCommerce & Communications University of Ballarat Phone: 03 5327 9418 Email: h.thompson@ballarat.edu.au George Fong Lateral Plains Phone: 03 5335 2243 Email: george@lateralplains.com