8129.0 - Business Use of Information Technology, 2003-04  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 17/03/2005   
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MEDIA RELEASE

March 17, 2005
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
30/2005

Broadband used by nearly one in two businesses with internet access: ABS

Broadband connections were used by 41% of businesses using the Internet during 2003-04, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today.

Almost three-quarters (74%) of Australian businesses used the Internet during 2003-04. This is an increase from 71% in the year prior.

Dial-up (analog) was the most common type of Internet connection (50%), while Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) was the least common (8%).

Broadband was most popular among larger businesses, with 78% of businesses that employed 100 people or more with Internet access using broadband.

Businesses employing 0-4 people were least likely to use broadband as the main type of Internet connection (38%).

Smaller businesses (0-4 employees) were more likely to cite start up high connection costs (27% of small businesses) and ongoing connection and high usage costs (26%) as barriers to using broadband.

In contrast, fewer businesses that employed 100 or more persons reported start up connection costs (9%) and ongoing connection and usage costs (15%) as being too high.

Unavailability of broadband was the most common barrier for businesses in areas outside of capital cities (35%). However, this was reported by only 17% of businesses in capital cities. Nation-wide, lack of perceived benefit was the most common reason provided for not connecting to broadband (32%).

More details are found in Business Use of Information Technology, 2003-04 (cat. no. 8129.0).