Editing Telecommunications in Australia

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{{Use Australian English|date=December 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2009}}
[[File:Australian Census 2011 demographic map - Australia by SLA - BCP field 7214 Persons Information media and telecommunications Total.svg|thumb|right|400px|Adults employed in the information media and telecommunications industry as a percentage of the adult population in Australia divided geographically by statistical local area, as of the 2011 census]]
'''Telecommunications in Australia''' refers to [[communication]] in [[Australia]] through electronic means, using devices such as [[telephone]], [[television]], [[radio]] or [[computer]], and services such as the telephony and broadband networks. Telecommunications have always been important in Australia given the "tyranny of distance" with a dispersed population. Governments have driven telecommunication development and have a key role in its regulation.

==History==
[[File:NarranderaTrunkLineMemorial.JPG|thumb|A memorial at [[Narrandera]] to the "J" trunk route linking the Australian cities and towns on the east coast]]

===Colonial period===
{{furtherinformation|History of telegraphy in Australia}}
Prior to [[Federation of Australia]] in 1901, each of the six Australian colonies had its own telephony communications network.<ref>{{Cite web|title=160 years of Australian telecommunications {{!}} Telsoc|url=https://telsoc.org/journal/ajtde-v2-n2/a43|access-date=2022-02-17|website=telsoc.org|language=en}}</ref> The Australian networks were government assets operating under colonial legislation modelled on that of Britain. The UK [[Telegraph Act 1868]] for example empowered the Postmaster-General to "acquire, maintain and work electric telegraphs" and foreshadowed the 1870 nationalisation of competing British telegraph companies.

Australia's first telephone service (connecting the [[Melbourne]] and [[South Melbourne]] offices of Robinson Brothers, a Melbourne engineering firm) was launched in 1879.<ref name="wah">{{cite web |url=https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/articles/16334 |title=When and How Did Telephones Come to Victoria? |website=Museums Victoria |access-date=8 November 2023 }}</ref> The private [[Melbourne Telephone Exchange Company]] opened Australia's first telephone exchange in August 1880. Around 7,757 calls were handled in 1884.<ref name="wah"/>

The nature of the networks meant that regulation in Australia was undemanding: network personnel were government employees or agents, legislation was enhanced on an incremental basis and restrictions could be achieved through infrastructure. All the colonies ran their telegraph networks at a deficit through investment in infrastructure and subsidisation of regional access, generally with bipartisan support.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

Government-operated post office and telegraph networks – the largest parts of the bureaucracy – were combined into a single department in each colony on the model of the UK Post Office: [[South Australia]] in 1869, [[Victoria, Australia|Victoria]] in 1870, [[Queensland]] in 1880 and [[New South Wales]] in 1893.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}}

===At Federation (1901)===
At Federation, the colonial networks (staff, switches, wires, handsets, buildings etc.) were transferred to the Commonwealth [[Postmaster-General's Department]] responsible for domestic postal, telephone and, telegraph services becoming the responsibility of the first Postmaster-General (PMG), a federal. With 16,000 staff (and assets of over £6 million) the PMG accounted for 80% of the new federal bureaucracy.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

[[Payphone|Public phones]] were available in a handful of post offices. Subscriber telephones were initially restricted to major businesses, government agencies, institutions and wealthier residences. Eight million telegrams were sent that year over 43,000 miles of line.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

There were around 33,000 phones across Australia, with 7,502 telephone subscribers in inner [[Sydney]] and 4,800 in the [[Melbourne central business district]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

Overseas cable links to Australia remained in private hands, reflecting the realities of imperial politics, demands on the new government's resources, and perceptions of its responsibilities.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

===After Federation===
A trunk line between Melbourne (headquarters of the PMG Department) and Sydney was established in 1907, with extension to [[Adelaide]] in 1914, [[Brisbane]] in 1923, [[Perth]] in 1930 and [[Hobart]] in 1935.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

[[Image:Old Ash Tray With Single Digit Phone No.jpg|thumb|An old [[bakelite]] ash tray showing an example of a single digit phone number used in the early days of telecommunication.]]

On 12 July 1906 the first Australian wireless overseas messages were sent between [[Point Lonsdale]], Victoria and [[Devonport, Tasmania]].<ref>http://tja.org.au/index.php/tja/article/view/9/30 Given, Jock. 2010. 'Wireless politics: Marconi and the Parliament at Point Lonsdale, 12 July 1906'. Telecommunications Journal of Australia. 60 (4): pp. 60.1 to 60.7. Monash University ePress.</ref> Australia and New Zealand ratified the 1906 Berlin Radio-telegraph Convention in 1907. The PMG department became responsible for some international shortwave services, particularly from the 1920s and for a new Coastal Radio Service in 1911, with the first of a network of stations operational in February 1912.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

The [[Sydney–Melbourne co-axial cable]] was officially opened on 9 April 1962.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://primeministers.naa.gov.au/timeline/results.aspx|title=Australia's Prime Ministers|publisher=National Archives of Australia|access-date= 14 September 2013}}</ref>
The coaxial cable infrastructure supported the introduction of [[subscriber trunk dialling]] between the cities<ref>{{cite book|title=The Australasian Engineer, 1962, p.32}}</ref> and live television link-ups. After its commissioning in April 1962 the cable carried telegraph and telephone traffic.<ref>{{cite book|title=Telecommunications Journal of Australia, vol.13, no.3, February 1962 (special edition), p.173}}</ref> It also provided the first inter-city television transmission in Australia, allowing simultaneous television broadcasting in Melbourne and Sydney for the first time.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Australasian Engineer, 1962, p.33}}</ref>

[[Optus]] was formed as AUSSAT, a government owned corporation, in 1981. It was privatized later in the 1980s under the [[Bob Hawke|Hawke]] Labor government. [[Telstra]] (previously known as Telecom), another government owned asset, was also privatized in 1997 under the [[John Howard|Howard]] Liberal government.

==Broadcasting in Australia==
{{main|History of broadcasting in Australia}}
Australia developed its own radio broadcasting system, through its own engineers, manufacturers, retailers, newspapers, entertainment services, and news agencies. Initially hobbyists and amateurs were dominant, however with the [[Government of Australia|Commonwealth Government]] setting up the first radio system, and business interests becoming increasingly involved, hobbyists and amateurs were marginalised. The [[Australian Labor Party]] was especially interested in radio because it allowed them to bypass the newspapers, which were mostly controlled by their opposition. Both parties agreed on the need for a national system, and in 1932 set up the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|Australian Broadcasting Commission]] was set up as a government agency largely separate from political interference.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

The first commercial broadcasters, originally known as "B" class stations were on the air as early as 1925. Many were sponsored by [[newspapers in Australia]],<ref>Denis Cryle, 'The press and public service broadcasting: Neville Petersen's news not views and the case for Australian exceptionalism.' (2014) ''Media International Australia, Incorporating Culture & Policy'' Issue 151 (May 2014): 56+.</ref> by [[Theatre in Australia|theatrical interests]], by [[amateur radio]] enthusiasts and radio retailers, and by retailers generally.<ref name="R.R. Walker, 1973">R.R. Walker, ''The Magic Spark – 50 Years of Radio in Australia'' (1973).</ref> Almost all Australians were within reach of a station by the 1930s, and the number of stations remained relatively stable through the post-war era. However, in the 1970s, the Labor government under Prime Minister [[Gough Whitlam]] commenced a broadcasting renaissance so that by the 1990s there were 50 different radio services available for groups based on tastes, languages, religion, or geography.<ref>John Potts, ''Radio in Australia'' (1986)</ref> The broadcasting system was largely deregulated in 1992, except that there were limits on foreign ownership and on monopolistic control. By 2000, 99 percent of Australians owned at least one television set, and averaged 20 hours a week watching it.<ref>Graeme Davison et al., eds., ''The Oxford Companion to Australian History'' (2001), pp 546–47, 637–38</ref>

===Television===
{{Main article|Television broadcasting in Australia}} 
As early as 1929, two Melbourne commercial radio stations, [[3UZ]] and [[KIIS 101.1|3DB]] were conducting experimental mechanical television broadcasts – these were conducted in the early hours of the morning, after the radio stations had officially closed down. In 1934 Dr Val McDowall<ref>[https://members.racp.edu.au/page/library/college-roll/college-roll-detail&id=496 College Roll: McDowall, Valentine, ''The Royal Australasian College of Physicians'']</ref> at amateur station 4CM Brisbane<ref>[https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:212637/s00855804_1961_1962_6_4_750.pdf Charles Porter, (1962), Broadcasting in Queensland. ''Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland'', 6 4, pp. 750-761.]</ref> conducted experiments in electronic television.

Television broadcasting officially began in Sydney and Melbourne just prior to the [[1956 Summer Olympics|Melbourne Olympic Games]] in November/December 1956 and then phased in at other capital cities, and then into rural markets. Many forms of entertainment, particularly drama and variety, proved more suited to television than radio, so the actors and producers migrated there.

It now includes a broad range of public, commercial, community, subscription, narrowcast, and amateur stations across the country. Colour television in the [[PAL#PAL-B.2FG.2FD.2FK.2FI|PAL 625-line format]] went to a full-time basis in 1975. Subscription television, on the [[Galaxy (Australian television)|Galaxy]] platform, began in 1995. Digital terrestrial television was introduced in 2001.<ref>Albert Moran and Chris Keating. ''The A to Z of Australian Radio and Television'' (Scarecrow Press, 2009)</ref>

Australia moved from PAL 625 to [[DVB-T]] on 10 December 2013.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

Subscription television, whether [[Foxtel]] or [[Netflix]] type services, has become more important and is one factor driving demand for the [[National Broadband Network]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

==Core technologies, the network, backhaul and the local loop==
===Copper cable and optical fibre networks===
{{see also|Fiber to the x}}
Prior to the government opening telecommunications to multi player competition the PMG (and later Telecom Australia) operated a [[vertically integrated]] system, providing the [[Core network]], [[Backbone network|backhaul]], ancillary networks and a range of services to end users.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

With opening telecommunications to multi provider competition the government required Telstra to sell wholesale access to its core facilities and networks.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

In the 2000s, larger ISPs began taking over more of the delivery infrastructure themselves by taking advantage of regulated access to the [[Local loop unbundling|unconditioned local loop]]. As well as significantly reducing costs, it gave the service providers complete control of their own service networks, other than the [[local loop|copper pair]] (phone line from the exchange to the customer).<ref>[http://archive.iinet.net.au/about/mediareleases/00mediarelease6.html 'iinet archives'] Retrieved on 25 September 2008.</ref>

Telstra in 2006 proposed replacing its copper network with an optical fibre node network with the drop connection into end user premises being the existing copper cable. They abandoned this as under competition policy they would be required to open their network to competing carriers on a wholesale basis.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

Further options were explored with the [[Rudd government (2007-2010)|first Rudd government]] deciding to set up a [[National Broadband Network]] using Fibre to the Premises as the main carrier network, supported by satellite and wireless to remote areas.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

After the election of the [[Abbott government]] in 2013 a Multi Technological Mix was implemented, replacing FTTP where development was yet to start with Fibre to the Node and also repurposing the Telstra and Optus [[hybrid fiber-coaxial|hybrid fibre-coaxial]] networks.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

===Cable===
[[File:Fibre-optic cable in a Telstra pit.jpg|thumb|[[Fibre-optic cable]] in a Telstra pit, 2010]]
In the late 1990s, [[Telstra]] and [[Optus]] rolled-out separate [[cable Internet]] services, focusing on the east coast.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

===Satellite===
The [[Overseas Telecommunications Commission]] (OTC) was established by Australia in August 1946 with responsibility for all international telecommunications services into, through and out of Australia.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

In 1981 Aussat Pty Ltd was established as a GBE to operate domestic satellite telecommunication and broadcasting services. Aussat's charter restricted it from acting as a competitor to Telecom, including a prohibition on interconnecting public switched traffic with Telecom's network.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

Proposals for a merger of Aussat and OTC (thereby permitting national delivery of telecommunication services in competition with Telecom) were rejected in favor of disposal of the satellite operator to a non-government entity that would be allowed to compete with Telecom.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

Satellites are used to provide telecommunications services in very remote areas. These are primarily the [[Optus fleet of satellites|Optus satellites]] C1 D1 and D2.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

There are also a number of [[Earth stations in Australia|satellite earth stations]], which provide access points into the Australian networks:{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}
*[[Intelsat]] has 10 earth stations, 4 for the [[Indian Ocean]] and 6 for the [[Pacific Ocean]].
*[[Inmarsat]] has 2 earth stations, which serve the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions.
*[[Optus fleet of satellites|SingTel Optus Earth Stations]] has several earth stations located in the major cities.
*[[Sky Muster]] satellites operated as part of the National Broadband Network.
*[[Telstra]] has a totals of 48 earth stations, Located between sites in Sydney, Perth and [[Bendigo]] serving both the Australian Continent, Asia-Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean regions.

===Submarine cables===
Due to Australia's large size, sparse population, and relative remoteness to other countries, a significant amount of infrastructure is required for Internet communications. The vast majority of Australia's international telecommunications transit capacity is sourced from undersea several [[fibre-optic cable]]s to Asia and the US:{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}} 
*[[Southern Cross Cable]]s to [[New Zealand]], [[Hawaii]] and the US mainland with a capacity of 620&nbsp;Gbit/s, with planned upgrade in Q2 2012.
*[[Southern Cross Cable]]s to [[Fiji]], Hawaii and the US mainland with a capacity of 620&nbsp;Gbit/s, with planned upgrade in the Q2 2012.
*[[Australia-Japan Cable]] to [[Guam]] and [[Japan]]. Primarily used as an alternative path to the United States with a capacity of 320&nbsp;Gbit/s.
*[[SEA-ME-WE 3 (cable system)|Sea-Me-We3]] to [[Indonesia]] and onto Asia, Middle East, the United States and other destinations with a capacity of 40&nbsp;Gbit/s.{{dubious|date=December 2013}}
*[[APNG-2 (cable system)|APNG2]] (previously part of Pac Rim West) to [[Papua New Guinea]] with a capacity of 2x565&nbsp;Mbit/s.
*[https://subpartners.net/indigo.html INDIGO-West] (linking Perth to Jakarta and Singapore.
*[[Gondwana-1]] to [[New Caledonia]].
*[[Tasman Global Access|TGA]] to [[New Zealand]].
*[[Pipe Pacific Cable|PPC-1]] (a joint venture of [[PIPE Networks]] and [[Videsh Sanchar Nigam]]) to [[Guam]] with lit capacity of 80&nbsp;Gbit/s, and potential capacity of 2.56&nbsp;Tbit/s.<ref>[http://www.itnews.com.au/News/157753,ppc-1-delivers-more-speed-than-expected.aspx ITNews, PPC-1 delivers more speed than expected by Ben Grubb Oct 8, 2009]</ref>
*[[Telstra Endeavour]] to Hawaii with a capacity of 320&nbsp;Gbit/s.

==Telephony and related arrangements==
{{See|Telephone numbers in Australia}}
The [[Postmaster-General's Department]] regulated telecommunications and operated telephone and related communications within Australia over the copper telephony network from federation up to 22 December 1975,<ref name="NAA CA 9">{{citation|title=CA 9: Postmaster-General's Department, Central Administration|url=http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/SearchOld.asp?Number=CA+9|publisher=National Archives of Australia|access-date=5 December 2013}}</ref> replaced by the [[Postal and Telecommunications Department]].

In mid-1975 the department was disaggregated by the [[Whitlam government]] into the two [[State-owned enterprise|Government Business Enterprises]]: the [[Telstra|Australian Telecommunications Commission]] (trading as Telecom Australia) and the Australian Postal Commission (trading as [[Australia Post]]) with a new [[Postal and Telecommunications Department]].<ref name=MRAbolition>{{cite press release|first=Malcolm|last=Fraser|author-link=Malcolm Fraser|title=Major Changes in Ministerial And Departmental Responsibilities And Functions|date=18 December 1975|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111020520/http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=4008|archive-date=11 January 2014|url-status=dead|url=http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=4008}}</ref> The change was intended to take account of the increase in the functions of the department to include all electronic media matters which had previously been the responsibility of the [[Department of the Media]].<ref name=MRAbolition/>

The 1982 Davidson Inquiry regarding private sector involvement in delivery of existing/proposed telecommunications services recommended ending Telecom Australia's monopoly.<ref>{{Cite report | author1=Committee of Inquiry into Telecommunications Services in Australia | author2=J. A. Davidson| author3=Australian Parliament | title=Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Telecommunications Services in Australia | date=1982 | publisher=Australian Government Publishing Service | isbn=978-0-644-01231-7 }}</ref>

In June 1991, legislation was passed allowing duopoly competition with Telstra, Optus Communications became Australia's second general telecommunications carrier.<ref>[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/optus-rings-up-20-years-sticking-to-its-guns/news-story/d357df679f5db28b7a09184e0f27ee9f Mitchell Bingemann, (30 January 2012), Optus rings up 20 years, sticking to its guns, ''The Australian''] Retrieved 9 February 2017</ref> It was guaranteed access to Telecom's existing infrastructure on reasonable terms - meant to ensure its viability. Other players were prevented from entering the general telephone market until 1997.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

Telecom Australia changed its name to [[Telstra]] in 1995 and has since been privatised. It faced growing competition in market niches such as long distance corporate voice and data services. Telstra was progressively privatised (33.3% 1997, 16.6% 1999, 33.3% 2006, with 17% transferred to the [[Future Fund]].){{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

Numbers of licensed telecommunications carriers grew from: ~20 controlling facilities in Australia at 1998 (with several hundred entities providing services using those facilities to [[end users]]); to 99 at 2002.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

==Regulation==
The [[Postmaster-General's Department]] regulated telecommunications and operated telephone and related communications within Australia over the copper telephony network from federation up to 22 December 1975,<ref name="NAA CA 9"/> replaced by the [[Postal and Telecommunications Department]].

On 1 July 2005, the [[Australian Communications & Media Authority]] (ACMA) brought together the [[Australian Broadcasting Authority]] (ABA) and the Australian Communications Authority (ACA).<ref name="NAA CA 9024">{{citation|title=CA 9024: an Communications and Media Authority, Central Office, Canberra|url=http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/SearchOld.asp?Number=CA+9024|publisher=National Archives of Australia|access-date=9 December 2013}}</ref>

===General censorship===
{{main|Censorship in Australia|Australian Classification Board}}

===Internet censorship===
{{Main|Internet censorship in Australia#Federal law}}
On 31 December 2007, [[Stephen Conroy]] announced the federal government's intention to censor "inappropriate material" from the Internet.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/31/2129471.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101054613/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/31/2129471.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 January 2008|title=Conroy announces mandatory internet filters to protect children|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|location=Australia|date=31 December 2007|access-date=3 March 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.engin.com.au/government-claims-data-retention-laws-only-target-extremists/|title=Government Claims Data Retention Laws Only Target Extremists|access-date=20 November 2014}}</ref> Under the proposed system any Australian who subscribes to an [[ISP]] would receive a "clean" version of the Internet. The Federal Government's stated aim is to protect children from accessing violent and pornographic websites. This plan was later abandoned and the Australian government continues to only block websites that violate online laws.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

== Internet ==
{{Main|Internet in Australia}}
[[File:Telstra internet pay phone 2012-12-06.jpg|thumb|Internet enabled [[payphone]], 2012]]
[[File:Sydney internet cafe - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Sydney [[internet café]], 2005]]
Permanent [[Internet access]] was first available in [[Australia]] to universities via [[AARNet]] in 1989.<ref name="rogerclarke.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.rogerclarke.com/II/OzI04.html#8589 |title=Roger Clarke's 'The Internet in Australia' – 4.3 1985–1989 |publisher=Rogerclarke.com |access-date=13 December 2010}}</ref><ref name="AARNET - History">{{cite web |url=http://aarnet.edu.au/about-us/history.aspx |title=History |publisher=AARNET |access-date=13 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220175608/http://www.aarnet.edu.au/about-us/history.aspx |archive-date=20 December 2010 }}</ref><ref name="Hobbes' Internet Timeline">{{cite web|url=http://www.zakon.org/robert/internet/timeline/ |title=Hobbes' Internet Timeline |publisher=Zakon.org |access-date=13 December 2010}}</ref> The first commercial dial-up [[ISP|Internet Service Provider]] (ISP) appeared in capital cities soon after,<ref>[http://www.rogerclarke.com/II/OzI04.html#CIAP Origins and Nature of the Internet in Australia – Roger Clarke]. Published 29 January 2004</ref> and by the mid-1990s almost the entire country had a range of choices of dial-up ISPs.<ref>[http://www.rogerclarke.com/II/OzI04.html#9500 Origins and Nature of the Internet in Australia – Roger Clarke]. Published 29 January 2004</ref> Today, Internet access is available through a range of technologies, i.e. [[Hybrid Fibre Coaxial|hybrid fibre coaxial cable]], [[digital subscriber line]] (DSL), [[Integrated Services Digital Network]] (ISDN) and [[satellite Internet]]. The [[Government of Australia|Australian Government]], in partnership with the industrial sector, began rolling out a nationwide FTTP broadband network in July 2009.<ref>{{cite web | title = A separate company for a broadband network | work = Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy | date = 11 April 2008 | url = http://www.dbcde.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0005/86072/Request_for_Proposals_-_DCON-08-18.doc | access-date = 5 December 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110716072540/http://www.dbcde.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0005/86072/Request_for_Proposals_-_DCON-08-18.doc | archive-date = 16 July 2011 }}</ref>

The .au domain ([[ccTLD]]) was delegated to Robert Elz of the Australian Computing Science Network ([[ACSNet]]) in March 1986.<ref>{{cite web|website=ICANN|publisher=Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers|title=ccTLD Agreement Signed with auDA|url=https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2001-10-25-en}}</ref> From then, universities connected one at a time to allow for the sending and receiving of email and for use newsgroup facilities. An earlier restricted IP-based network, linking academic institutions within Australia, known as [[ACSNet]], used the .oz domain. This domain was subsumed under .au to become .oz.au.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rogerclarke.com/II/OzI04.html#7584 |title=Roger Clarke's 'The Internet in Australia' – 4.2 1975–1984 |publisher=Rogerclarke.com |access-date=13 December 2010}}</ref>

A permanent connection between [[AARNet]] and [[ARPANet]] was established in May 1989 by a satellite connection.<ref name="rogerclarke.com"/><ref name="AARNET - History"/><ref name="Hobbes' Internet Timeline"/>

In 1992 there were two competing commercial ISPs expanding to excess of 100 by June 1995 [Internet Australasia Magazine], attributing some fifth of all AARNet traffic.

The [[Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee|Vice Chancellors' Committee]] sold all commercial customers with Telstra leading the commercial push of the Internet into Australia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aarnet.edu.au/Content.aspx?p%3D103 |title=AARNET - About us - History |access-date=2008-01-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218005538/http://www.aarnet.edu.au/Content.aspx?p=103 |archive-date=18 February 2008 }} AARNet History</ref>

===Broadband access===
Broadband internet access is available in Australia using predominantly ADSL, plus cable, fibre, satellite and wireless technologies. Since July 2008 almost two thirds of Australian households have had internet access, with broadband connections outnumbering dial-up two to one.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24064928-12377,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922030543/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24064928-12377,00.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=22 September 2008 | title=Latest Stories From News.Com.Au}}</ref> According to the recent ABS statistics the non-dial-up services outnumber dial up services 3.6 to 1.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

===xDSL===
In 2000, the first consumer [[ADSL]] services were made available via Telstra Bigpond, at speeds of 256/64&nbsp;kbit/s (downstream/upstream), 512/128&nbsp;kbit/s, and 1500/256&nbsp;kbit/s. Telstra chose to artificially limit all ADSL speeds to a maximum of 1500/256&nbsp;kbit/s. As ADSL required access to the telephone exchange and the copper line – which only Telstra had – this allowed Telstra to be dominant due to the expense of roll-out for other companies and Telstra's established customer base. Other ISPs followed suit soon after; reselling connections purchased wholesale from Telstra.<ref>[https://www.telstrawholesale.com.au/ Telstra Wholesale]</ref>

In response to Telstra's monopolisation of ADSL provision other carriers installed their own [[DSLAM]]s.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.xyzed.com.au/admin/uploads/pdf/00.09.04.pdf |title=First competitive DSL network opens for business |date=4 September 2000|access-date=2024-10-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120155819/http://www.xyzed.com.au/admin/uploads/pdf/00.09.04.pdf |archive-date=20 January 2016 }}</ref> [[Internode Systems|Internode]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.internode.on.net/about/news/20060920-coorongsolar.htm |title=Internode - News and Media - Internode Covers Coorong with Solar-Powered Broadband |access-date=2007-05-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070106010305/http://www.internode.on.net/about/news/20060920-coorongsolar.htm |archive-date=6 January 2007 }}</ref>

The presence of non-Telstra DSLAMs allowed the service providers to control the speed of connection, and most offered "uncapped" speeds, allowing the customers to connect at whatever speed their copper pair would allow, up to 8&nbsp;Mbit/s. Ratification of [[ADSL2|ADSL2 and ADSL2+]] increased the maximum to 12&nbsp;Mbit/s, then 24&nbsp;Mbit/s. {{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}

In November 2007 the first Naked DSL product was announced by [[iiNet]].<ref>[https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/networking/iinet-keeps-raincoat-on-ready-to-expose-naked-dsl/ 'ZDnet iiNet keeps Raincoat on, ready to expose naked DSL'] Retrieved on 9 December 2008.</ref> Shortly after this other internet providers also started to provide DSL products without telephony service over copper, reducing line rental fees.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120722142541/http://www.cnet.com.au/broadband/adsl/0,239035934,339281360,00.htm?feed=pt_naked_dsl/ 'AAPT Promises Naked DSL by Christmas'] Retrieved on 9 December 2008</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/iiNet-leaps-out-and-exposes-naked-DSL/0,130061791,339283842,00.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116113231/http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/iiNet-leaps-out-and-exposes-naked-DSL/0,130061791,339283842,00.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 November 2007 |title=iiNet leaps out and exposes naked DSL |publisher=Zdnet.com.au |access-date=13 December 2010}}</ref>

===Telstra FTTN===
Telstra proposed to upgrade to Fibre to the Node (FTTN) in 2006 but did not pursue the development because it would be required to share the network.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200608/s1708224.htm|title=Telstra scraps broadband network plan|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=7 August 2006}}</ref>

===Wireless broadband===
Wireless broadband in Australia is widespread, with many point-to-point fixed wireless broadband providers serving broadband-poor regional and rural areas, predominantly with [[Canopy (wireless)|Motorola Canopy]] and [[WiMAX]] technologies. Telstra's 2006 introduction of the "[[Next G]]" [[High Speed Packet Access|HSPA]] network (which reportedly covers 99% of the Australian population as of September 2008) with speeds advertised of being up to 14&nbsp;Mbit/s<ref>[http://my.bigpond.com/internetplans/broadband/wireless/overview/default.jsp 'example of Bigpond plan'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915142650/http://my.bigpond.com/internetplans/broadband/wireless/overview/default.jsp |date=15 September 2008 }} Retrieved on 25 September 2008.</ref> stimulated investment in wireless broadband by competitors Optus, Vodafone and Hutchison Telecommunications, who are presently expanding their HSPA networks to cover 96–98% of the Australian population.<ref>[https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/networking/optus-extends-3g-mobile-to-rural-australia/ Znet Optus story] Retrieved on 25 September 2008.</ref><ref>[http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,22912481-5014109,00.html 'Vodafone news.com']  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102114131/http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0%2C25642%2C22912481-5014109%2C00.html |date=2 January 2008 }} Retrieved on 25 September 2008.</ref><ref>[http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,27753,24211218-462,00.html Hutchison Telecommunications news.com]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917035455/http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0%2C27753%2C24211218-462%2C00.html |date=17 September 2008 }} Retrieved on 25 September 2008.</ref>
{{Further|topic=the 1973 Australian telecommunications wireless carrier|Vertel}}

===Rural coverage===
{{see also|Universal service}}
Delivering competitive telecommunications services to regional and rural areas is a major issue, with Telstra having a [[Universal Service]] Obligation regarding telephony services. Government monies have been made available on a competitive basis to carriers to address broadband and mobile telephone blackspots and gaps in service provision.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

===National Broadband Network===
{{Main|National Broadband Network}}
The National Broadband Network was initially a [[Fiber to the x|fibre-to-the-home]] [[open-access network]] in planning and trial operation in Australia by the federal government. The national broadband network aimed to provide up to 1000&nbsp;Mbit/s speeds and to connect to 93% of Australian households and businesses.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/nbn-now-to-reach-93-of-population/ |title=NBN now to reach 93% of population – Communications – News |publisher=Zdnet.com.au |access-date=13 December 2010}}</ref> This has since been revised under a Coalition government to a mixed-technology system relying largely on Australia's existing and largely depreciated copper networks. This revision aims for 50&nbsp;Mbit/s to 100&nbsp;Mbit/s, with consumer reports ranging from 1&nbsp;Mbit/s to 100&nbsp;Mbit/s. The government will hold a majority share (51%) in the network company, with the remainder being held by private firms.<ref>[http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Technology/2009/04/08/Tasmania_to_get_govt_broadband_first_319955.html BigPond News – NBN] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411113602/http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Technology/2009/04/08/Tasmania_to_get_govt_broadband_first_319955.html |date=11 April 2009 }}</ref> The Australian government had previously called for proposals to build a fibre-to-the-node  broadband network providing download speeds up to 100 and upload speeds up to 40 [[megabits per second]]. The government also utilises fixed wireless technology and satellite technology to provide fast broadband connection in rural area and very remote area. Fixed wireless provides speeds up to 50/20&nbsp;Mbit/s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbnco.com.au/learn-about-the-nbn/network-technology/fibre-to-the-node-explained-fttn.html|website=NBN co.|title = Fibre to the Node Explained |access-date=6 July 2016}}</ref> Satellite technology uses two [[Sky Muster]] [[communication satellite]]s launched in 2015 and 2016 to provide fast broadband in very remote areas and offshore. It provides speeds up to 25/5&nbsp;Mbit/s.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Francis|first1=Hannah|title=Ten cool facts about NBN's forthcoming Sky Muster satellite service|url=http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/ten-cool-facts-about-nbns-forthcoming-sky-muster-satellite-service-20160202-gmjpow.html|access-date=6 July 2016}}</ref>

The network will be the largest single infrastructure investment in Australia's history.<ref>{{cite news | last = Egan | first = Michael | title = A separate company for a broadband network | work = The Age | date = 5 September 2008 | url = http://business.theage.com.au/business/a-separate-company-for-a-broadband-network-20080904-49zt.html | access-date = 7 September 2008 | location=Melbourne}}</ref>

== Incidents ==

=== 2023 Optus outage ===
{{Main|2023 Optus outage}}
On 8 November 2023 at around 04:00 [[AEDT]], all Optus services, including wireless phone, internet, and mobile, stopped working. This led to over 10 million people and over 400,000 businesses without services provided by the telco. The outage lasted from 9-13 hours, with mobile coverage being the first thing restored.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-08 |title=How the Optus outage disrupted millions of Australians |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-09/how-the-optus-outage-played-out/103079768 |access-date=2023-11-09}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of LTE networks]]
*[[List of mobile network operators of the Asia Pacific region]]
*[[Indigenous Remote Communications Association]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|first=Ann|last=Moyal|author-link=Ann Moyal|title=Clear Across Australia: A History of Telecommunications|year=1984|publisher=Nelson|isbn=017006266X}}

== External links ==
*[http://whirlpool.net.au/ Whirlpool] – "Whirlpool.net.au is a fully independent, non-commercial, community website, run by a team of unpaid volunteers, which is devoted to keeping the public informed about the state of broadband in Australia." Australian ADSL news, information, and forums.
*[http://www.internetchoice.com.au/ Internet Choice] – Broadband Comparison website comparing a range of the leading internet providers in Australia.

{{Australia topics}}

{{Economy of Australia}}
{{Telecommunications in Australia|state=collapsed}}
{{Telecommunications}}

[[Category:Telecommunications in Australia| ]]