8146.0 - Household Use of Information Technology, Australia, 2004-05  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 15/12/2005   
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Dial-up connections more popular than broadband: ABS


Dial-up connection was the most popular way Australian households were accessing the Internet, says the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Over two-thirds (69%) of households connected to the Internet at home in 2004-05 had a dial-up connection, while 28% had broadband access.

Of the households with broadband Internet access, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) was the most commonly used technology by three-quarters (76%) of households.

Broadband Internet access for households was more common in metropolitan areas (33%) than in ex-metropolitan areas (18%). The Australian Capital Territory had the highest proportion (33%) of households with broadband Internet connection among the states and territories.

The proportion of Australian households with access to the Internet has increased significantly over the past seven years with 56% of households (4.4 million households) connected in 2004-05, up from 16% in 1998.

Online shopping
Purchasing over the Internet also increased significantly in 2004-05, with 31% of Australian adults (aged 18 years or over) purchasing or ordering goods or services via the Internet for private use. This was up from 5% in 1999.

Travel, accommodation or tickets of any kind were the most popular products purchased or ordered over the Internet.

The main reason given why people did not purchase or order goods or services via the Internet was "had no need to" (reported by 35% of people) followed by concerns over security (reported by 27% of people).

During 2004-2005, home was reported to be the most popular site of Internet use followed by work. An estimated 52% accessed the Internet at home.

Further details, including statistics on computer use, are available in Household Use of Information Technology, Australia (cat. no. 8146.0).