Global Broadband Access: Comparative Analysis and Future Trends

This report provides a comprehensive overview of global broadband access, examining current trends, challenges, and future opportunities. It begins by defining broadband access and highlights countries with high and low access rates, such as Bulgaria, South Korea, and Eritrea, respectively. The report then delves into the role of national government initiatives, particularly in countries like Australia and the US, in expanding broadband infrastructure and reducing the digital divide. The Australian National Broadband Network (NBN) plan is discussed in detail, including its progress and the challenges it faces. The report also explores the digital divide within Australia, highlighting the disparities between urban and rural areas and the efforts to address it through initiatives like the Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance. Furthermore, the report outlines the benefits associated with high broadband access, such as improved data transfer, remote working, and access to learning resources. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of national government support for broadband access to facilitate access to digital technologies globally.

Cover Page

Introduction
Broadband access refers to high-speed Internet access which is always on and faster than conventional
dial-up or ISDN Internet access. Broadband is offered through DSL, fibre-optic and satellite. Although the
Internet was discovered by the US, users in other highly developed countries seem to be using and
enjoying faster broadband access than their US counter parts. According to latest research by the OECD,
the country with the highest broadband access is Bulgaria standing at 96 % [1]. Other countries with
high broadband access from the statistics include South Korea, which was in the top position for many
years, Switzerland, Denmark, Israel and Netherlands. In terms of broadband subscriptions per capita,
Switzerland is on top with more than 40%. The US takes position 24 in broadband access, and comes
position 20 worldwide for broadband subscriptions per capita, just head of Japan [2]. One of the reason
why countries like Bulgaria, South Korea, Japan and European Nations have high broadband access rates
is as a result of national government infrastructure initiatives.
1. National broadband infrastructure initiatives
High Internet speeds largely depends on strategic planning, designing and modern infrastructure. In
South Korea, Japan, Bulgaria, government planning and initiatives have made it possible for the
countries to have infrastructures to support high speed broadband connections. In the US, the FCC
(Federal Communications Commission) has already revealed the particulars of a broadband plan
designed to provide high-speed Internet to Americans. FCC plans to expand broadband Internet
infrastructure to provide over 90 American households with fast internet by 2020. If the proposal by
FCC succeeds, the U.S. will become the biggest market of fast broadband to end-users globally [3] . The
Australian government National Broadband plan is also underway to provide about 93 percent
Australian citizens with high-speed Internet [4].
2. Current status of the Australian National Broadband Plan
The Australian Government made a decision to expand the country’s National Broadband Network
(NBN) with speeds of up to 100Mbps in 2009 [4]. The plan also would ensure that over 90% Australian
households and businesses in rural and urban centres will have access to fibre-to-the-home (FTTH)
technology [5]. In 2011, NBN work begun but progress was been braked by political and operational
difficulties, but NBN is pressing on towards providing fast broadband access to subscribers as the project
unfolds. NPN plan is set to bring faster broadband developments to Australians, with intense

consequences for the country’s social and economic framework [6]. In 2014, the Australian
government publicized that the NBN would amend to a multi-technology-mix model aiming for at least
100 Mbit/s from fibre-to-premises approach. The team has continued to meet project targets in the
pursuit to provide Australians with fast broadband access at reasonable prices regardless of how difficult
or remote their home is to connect., NBN is on track and expects to connect more or less three out of
four premises by 30 June 2018 [7].
3. Digital Divide within the Australia
In this day and age, having internet access is very crucial as digital technologies continue to play a
central role in life. Many of our daily routine activities have shifted online and being able to use digital
technologies has numerous benefits including access to internet services, online banking, online
shopping, working, finding information, and socializing with friends and family. However, there’s a
significant gap – a digital divide – between those who are connected and those who are not. In Australia,
the digital divide exists and it comes with the risk of increasing social, cultural and economic disparities
[8]. Digital inclusion is determined by some factors including social and economic factors. For instance,
low income earners, illiteracy and unemployed folks in in Australia are considerably less digital [9] .
Hence, there is a huge ‘digital divide’ among rich and poor. Additionally, there are significant differences
between digital access in urban and rural areas. Digital inclusion stands at 6.6 points higher in urban
areas countrywide. However, since 2014, digital ability has improved with increased attitudes and
confidence, basic Skills, and activities towards digital activities. To reduce the digital divide, the
government, businesses, educational institutes and social groups need to work together to ensure
digital technologies adoption for everyone. The NBN plan by the government to provide low cost
internet for all users in both rural and urban areas is one way of reducing the digital divide. To fight the
digital divide, over 100 companies have come together through the association Australian Digital
Inclusion Alliance (ADIA) to accelerate digital inclusion [10]. The agreement established by InfoXchange
is supported by Google, Australia Post, and Telstra. ADIA seeks to connect knowledge, skills, and
capabilities of enterprises in the country to lessen digital divide and support social and economic
participation for all Australians through the use of mobile and online technologies.
4. Countries that have the lowest broadband

Countries with low broadband access are located in mostly Africa [11]. Eritrea is at the bottom of the list
with only 0.91 access. Located North of Australia, Timor-Leste has only 1% of broadband connection.
Myanmar has 1.16%, followed by Burundi with 1.39% and Sierra Leone with 1.49%. Somalia follows
with 1.51%, Niger 1.61%, Ethiopia 1.7%, Guinea 1.7% and Congo 1.92%. Better and high speed internet
access requires high cost modern infrastructure which the countries with poor access cannot afford.
Countries like Somalia and Libya have low broadband access as a result of increased political disruptions
and lack of support from the national governments through infrastructure layering ISP providers also
target only the economically visible regions and leave the rest of the regions without or with low and
poor quality network systems.
5. Benefits associated with high broadband access connections
There are many benefits associated with high broadband access according to [12]
 High-speed broadband connection gives users a great ability to send and receive data across the
world. It allows users to access the Internet, and browse and download files
 Broadband connection has 24hr access
 Allows for effective budgeting since it comes at fixed prices
 Allows information sharing amongst several devices e.g. Computers, Tablet PC’s, mobile
phones, games console and more.
 Remote working – with more and more companies allowing remote working, broadband
facilitates users to work remotely from home
 Access to learning resources and support forums – For learners across the board, broadband
access allows access to learning resources and research in varied formats.
 Access to TV, Radio, and interactive Online games
 Services including online shopping, online banking
Conclusion
The Internet has come a long way from dial up, PSTN connections to now high speed broadband access.
It has enabled user access to Internet services, hardware’s, applications and even entire IT
infrastructures. Some countries are far much ahead of others with regard to broadband access with
Bulgaria, South Korea, Japan and more topping the countries with the highest speeds. Eritrea, Myanmar,
Burundi and Sierra Leone are some of the countries with low broadband access. In the digital era,

broadband access is very crucial for access to increasing modern digital technologies. It is thus
important for National governments across the globe to implement initiatives to ensure support for
broadband access for citizens.
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