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99% of Australians With Broadband By 2009?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the it's-strine-for-"fast" dept.

Recently a study of broadband penetration rates around the world was in the news, because the US has fallen to 24th place worldwide, at 53%. Now comes word that the Australian Prime Minister has announced a $1.68 billion (US) plan to move Australia to 99% penetration within two years. If they accomplish this goal they will be the most-wired nation (South Korea currently occupies the top spot with 90%). The Prime Minister's plan was attacked by his political opponents because it would create a two-tier system with the country's vast (and almost empty) interior served by wireless at "only" 12 Mbps.

5 of 313 comments (clear)

  1. Snicker by psaunders · · Score: 5, Funny

    In the context of election promises made by Howard's government, I think the term 'penetration rate' begins to take on an entirely different meaning...

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    Karma police, arrest this man. He talks in math. He buzzes like a fridge. He's like a detuned radio.
  2. I have yet a more ridiculous comoment to make: by mrbluze · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...to move Australia to 99% penetration within two years. If they accomplish this goal they will be the most-wired nation (South Korea currently occupies the top spot with 90%)

    I say that 99% penetration will do wonders for Howard's hopes for an increased birth rate, and will also satisfy many social liberals on the other side. We'll probably become the most screwed nation on earth, beating Niger at 48.91 per 1000 head of population per annum.

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    Do it yourself, because no one else will do it yourself. [beta blockade 10-17 Feb]
    1. Re:I have yet a more ridiculous comoment to make: by nick_davison · · Score: 3, Funny

      I say that 99% penetration will do wonders for Howard's hopes for an increased birth rate I think you're a little confused:

      99% penetration is just another way of saying, "Baby, I promise I'll pull out before I cum!"

      Sure, you've got to factor in the numbers that don't live up to their word. But subtracting those who do, does the actual figure go up or down?
  3. Re:the measurements are wrong!!! by NoMaster · · Score: 4, Funny

    So, she was still referring to "a gigabyte of power" like she was on the 7:30 Report a few hours earlier, was she?

    (Silly Americans are still dicking around with tubes - whereas we in Australia have Gigabytes of Power!)

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    What part of "a well regulated militia" do you not understand?
  4. Re:fibre to the door of Uluru by cammoblammo · · Score: 3, Funny

    Unfortunately I have no way to find out. It seems they don't have the phone on.

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    Cogito, ergo sig.