A report published yesterday by the Australian Communications and Media Authority shows the take of mobile wireless technology more than doubled last financial year.
”Australians increasingly seek flexibility in where and how they access communications and content,” said the report.
The number of mobile phone services rose 9.5 per cent in 2008-09 to 24.2 million, and wireless broadband had leapt 162 per cent to 2.1 million by the end of June. This contrasts with the number of fixed-line telephone services, which fell 3 per cent to 10.7 million.
The report backs other evidence of a rise in mobile services. Last month Telstra used such data to explain a reduction of the revenue it expected from fixed-line services.
The Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, has argued that wireless would complement the broadband network but lack enough speed to be a direct competitor.
A spokesman for Senator Conroy did not respond to a request for comment. However, the spokesman had previously said of wireless: ”Industry experts agree its popularity does not reduce the need for fibre broadband investment to support Australia’s future requirements”.
