Broadband in Comparison: Canada & Australia

Akamai's State of the Internet report for 4th quarter 2008 is due to be released on Monday next week. In the meantime, the 3rd quarter 2008 provides some interesting statistics. Find the 3rd quarter report here.

Canada continues to lead Australia in broadband speeds. The statistics below indicate the difference for all Net connections:

Canada Stats:
Above 5mbps = 21%
Above 2 mbps = 74%
Below 256kbps = 2.9%

Australia Stats:
Above 5mbps = 9.1%
Above 2 mbps = 46%
Below 256kbps = 6.6%

I will report on the OECD penetration rates soon. The trouble with broadband statistics is how to define 'broadband'. In the early 2000s, broadband was considered to be an 'always on' connection of 256kbps or higher.

Clearly, this definition is past its use-by date. For example, to use broadband for real-time video conferencing, 1.5mbps download and upload (ie symmetrical) is recommended as the bare minimum. So if you have a 1500/256 ADSL connection, your broadband service would not be particularly useful for a commercial/tele-health/no-need-to-travel-for-a-conference application.

Communications Minister on ABC's Q&A

The ABC's Q&A program is a very good example of enabling audience participation through heritage media.

Last night, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy appeared on Q&A. The Internet filter trials attracted approximately 2000 questions:

It is usually the case with Q&A that particular ministers attract questions relating to their portfolios, but never has there been anything like the deluge of questions provoked by Stephen Conroy's plan for an internet filtering scheme. More than 2000 questions came in via email, SMS and from audience members, and virtually every one of them was opposed to the filtering proposal. A question from Stephen Davies on this topic kicked off a 30-minute discussion in which Stephen Conroy was challenged repeatedly to justify the filter plan.

Check out the video and transcript here.

Finally, the US Public Sector is allowed to use New Media

Check out Craig Thomler's blog article here.

President Obama's lead and desire for transparency has changed the rules. The US Public Sector will appoint New Media Directors for each department to assist in achieving the President's goals.

General Services Administration signed agreements with four video-sharing and social networking sites: Flickr, Vimeo, blip.tv and YouTube. GSA also is negotiating with the social networking sites Facebook and MySpace.

This proves that the rules can be changed: leadership is the key!