Access to Broadband

High speed internet access is essential to Australia's long term economic prosperity because of its importance in our personal and professional lives.  Australia is currently behind most other developed nations sitting at 17th spot in terms of Broadband Penetration per 100 inhabitants on the International Broadband Table compiled by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development. 

The problem exists due to Australia's large land mass and comparably small population.  This makes for a very expensive infrastructure roll-out.  The other hindrance to progress has been Australia's traditionally tight communications legislation meaning investment is restricted by government regulations.

What is Broadband?

Broadband:

• refers to a signaling method that includes or handles a relatively wide range of frequencies, which may be divided into channels or frequency bins.  The wider the bandwidth, the greater the information carrying capacity (Wikipedia, accessed on 19 October, 2007); and
• it can encompass cable internet DSL/ADSL, wireless, etc.

What is DSL/ADSL?

• DSL (Digital Subscriber Loop) is a family of technologies that provide digital data transmission over the wires of a local telephone network.  Typically, the download speed of consumer DSL services ranges from 256 kilobits per second (kbit/s) to 24,000 kbit/s, depending on DSL technology, line conditions and service level implemented.  
• ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is a data communication technology that enables faster data transmission over copper telephone lines than the existing conventional voice band modem can provide.  It does this by utilising frequencies that are not being used by a voice telephone call.  Because phone lines vary in quality and were not originally engineered with ADSL in mind, it can generally only be used over short distances, typically less than 3mi (5km).  (Wikipedia, accessed on 24 October, 2007)   ADSL enables a faster download speed and a slower upload speed.

Can I gain access to Broadband?

In order to gain access to broadband you need either DSL, ADSL or Cable Internet access.  To determine if your property is able to receive DSL/ADSL and to select an Internet Service Provider (ISP) visit the following Whirlpool website from the RELATED LINKS on right hand side of page.  If you are unable to gain access to DSL/ADSL and would like to know if you are able to gain access to Cable Internet please contact Optus or Telstra from the RELATED LINKS on right hand side of page. 

What do I need to know?

There are many reasons why a property is unable to gain access to Broadband.  The reasons include:

• You may have a Pair Gain System (PGS).  A PGS occurs when a copper phone line is split between two or more properties.  This usually occurs when there are limited phone lines available within an estate or suburb.  A PGS does not effect the efficiency or quality of your phone line, however “it is detrimental to high speed dial-up modem connections, does not support 56k and is incompatible with Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) systems" (Wikipedia, accessed on 13 September, 2007).  Contact your telecommunications provider to determine if you have a PGS.
• Lack of infrastructure. In some cases there may be a physical lack of infrastructure in the telephone exchange or the existing infrastructure from your home to the exchange is not capable of delivering broadband services.  New or upgraded infrastructure can only be installed by a telecommunications provider.
• Distance. Current DSL technologies become ineffective if your home is located at a distance from the telephone exchange. At a certain distance the signal loss is too great and you will not be able to receive a DSL connection.

What can Council do?

Whittlesea City Council wants to help residents gain access to Broadband; however we are not in control of the infrastructure.  Instead we have set up a Broadband Survey from the RELATED LINKS on right hand side of page to advocate on behalf of affected communities to State and Federal Governments and telecommunications providers. 

If you are experiencing problems with your telecommunication provider please visit the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman website from the RELATED LINKS on right hand side of page or alternatively call 1800 062 058.

Any enquiries can be directed to Project & Multimedia Team by phone 9217 2414 or alternatively  Broadband@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.