Australia - Minister claims OECD data shows necessity for the NBN

[arnnet] The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, claims new statistics released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) highlight the critical need for the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Senator Conroy said the latest statistics confirm Australians pay more for broadband than people in most other OECD countries.

"These OECD statistics are further evidence that Australia cannot afford to stand idly by with our ageing copper network and sub-standard broadband services," Senator Conroy said.

"The NBN will provide Australia with world-class broadband infrastructure. It will open up a genuine choice of services and drive competitive prices for consumers, whether they live in a capital city or in regional, rural or remote areas."

According to the OECD statistics regarding average broadband subscription prices, Australia is:

3rd most expensive for very low-speed connections (out of 24 countries)
14th most expensive for high-speed connections (out of 33 countries)
12th most expensive for very high-speed connections (out of 28 countries)

Senator Conroy said the recent passage through both Houses of Parliament of the National Broadband Network Companies Bills 2010 and the Telecommunications Legislation Amendments (National Broadband Network Measures-Access Arrangements Bill 2011) would help reduce broadband prices for all Australians.

Conroy claims OECD stats prove Australians pay too much for broadband