CHAPTER 10 CONCLUSION
With a few exceptions, the results of this study are broadly in line with the Lloyd and Bill (2004) analysis based on Census 2001 results. In broad terms, the study shows that differences in connectivity persist across regional, as well as socio-economic characteristics such as income and educational attainment.
Relevance to policy formulation
There is growing interest in the Internet and Broadband as general purpose technologies that are significantly influencing the way Australian society interacts in commercial, social, entertainment and educational dimensions. Equity of access, speed and cost of these technologies and skills required to maximise their effective use, are important matters for policy and more general concern.
The 2006 Census data provides considerable opportunities for better understanding Internet access across Australia. In particular, it provides the most detailed information available on the profile of access in Australia by geographic spread. While, download speed is only addressed in broad terms, with Broadband and (by deduction) non - Broadband (largely Dial-up) measures, this information, in conjunction with geographic and socio-economic profiles, provides a useful data source to infer policy matters.
Care should be exercised in some other aspects in drawing conclusions from the Census data alone. For example, the 2006 Census did not directly measure cost and skills as barriers to connectivity, but it does provide data on income and education attainment. However these are at best only proxy indicators for such barriers and care should be exercised in drawing any specific conclusions from these data alone. Any analysis of these factors should also consider a range of other data sources (such as HUIT, which specifically identifies such barriers).
It is hoped that taken together, the information provided in this paper, in conjunction with other source of data, will help in addressing policy issues relating to infrastructure, awareness and targeted assistance to identified population groups.
Potential future work emerging from this study
Synthetic estimates from surveys
The Census provides aggregate as well as fine-level benchmarks for regional and socio-economic data. These benchmarks will be useful for validating results of both supply and use of information technology surveys in future years. In addition, the results can be used for model-based fine level estimates from broader survey data.
Case studies
The details of the study reveal some interesting pictures. Pockets of high level connectivity exist in Remote and Very Remote areas. Conversely, there are areas of poor connectivity in areas adjacent to well connected locations. Similarly, it emerged from the study that people with poor English language skills have higher rates of access in comparison with those who speak the language well. Delving into the underlying reasons - which might be related to geography, technology, awareness, cultural or simply lifestyle - is beyond the scope of this study, but could form the basis of future study or research for policy departments, social researchers as well as producers of ICT goods and services.
Census 2011
At the time of preparation of this report, the ABS is seeking submissions from stakeholders for topics for the 2011 Census. Given the ever changing technological environment, it is difficult to predict with absolute confidence the direction technology will take in the coming four years. It appears probable, however, that Broadband connectivity will still remain an important issue. Even if Broadband penetration approaches saturation levels by then, the focus might shift to type of Broadband technology, the speed of connections, and purposes of use. It is hoped that this study will provide data users with some insight, within the constraints of the Census guidelines, about the type of information relating to technology which might be effectively gathered from the next Census.
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