This is a key finding of the Communications report 2016–17, produced by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and tabled in federal parliament today.

‘We are downloading, consuming and creating more data and content than ever before. We are also communicating in ways that we couldn’t have predicted a decade—or even five years—ago,’ said ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin.

Australians downloaded over 3.1 million terabytes in the June 2017 quarter, up 43 per cent on the same period last year*. Ninety-two per cent of all data in this quarter was downloaded over fixed-line broadband. Fixed-line broadband also contributed to more than 90 per cent of the download growth.

‘Where demand leads, investment follows. Mobile operators, for example, announced plans for billion dollar improvements to Australia’s 4G network in 2016–17, paving the way for more data-intensive activities over mobile,’ Ms O’Loughlin added.

Key insights from the report include:

an overwhelming majority of Australian adults (89 per cent) access the internet—climbing to 100 per cent among those aged 18–34

the mobile phone is the most popular and frequently used device for internet access

consumers are diversifying their use of connected devices, with smart TVs becoming an increasingly popular way to go online

70 per cent of Australians are using five or more separate communications services for personal purposes

the shift to mobile phone-only for communication continues, with 6.67 million Australian adults having a mobile phone and no fixed-line telephone at home

59 per cent of Australians watched content online at June 2017

premises activated over the NBN were up 122 per cent to 2.443 million in the 12 months to June 2017. (As of 23 November, 3.248 million premises had been activated, a further increase of almost 33 per cent since June.)

mobile services in operation (voice and data) stood at 33.64 million in June 2017, up by three per cent on a June 2016

Mobile phone operators reported 4G network coverage in the range of 96–99 per cent of the Australian population.

‘Since 2005, the ACMA communications report has provided an annual snapshot of the rapidly changing communications sector,’ Ms O’Loughlin said. ‘It provides important insights into a sector that increasingly underpins Australia’s economic growth and prosperity.’

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Emma Rossi, Media Manager, (02) 9334 7719, 0434 652 063 or
media@acma.gov.au.

Spectrum was acquired through the multiband residual lots auction conducted by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

The auction process used a simple clock auction (SCA) format. The auction commenced on 28 November and concluded on 12 December after 85 rounds. A total price of approximately $92.6 million will be paid by bidders for this spectrum.

‘There was good competition across the 1800 MHz, 2 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz bands. The additional spectrum will mean improved services and greater choice for consumers in those areas where lots have been allocated,’ said ACMA Chair, Nerida O’Loughlin.

A table detailing the winning price and the successful bidder for each lot is available on the ACMA website. Totals for each successful bidder are as follows:

A further six lots were not offered at auction as only one applicant had nominated interest for each of the lots. The ACMA will offer these lots to the applicant for a pre-determined price, which is the starting price, in accordance with Part 5 of the Allocation Determination for the multiband residual lots auction.

For more information please contact:
Emma Rossi,
Media Manager,
(02) 9334 7719, 0434 652 063 or
media@acma.gov.au.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority announced that it will auction spectrum in bands that remained unallocated after its 2015 auction in the 1800 MHz band, as well as spectrum in the 2 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz bands.

‘We anticipate the spectrum will be used for mobile or fixed wireless broadband services with the majority of lots available being in regional areas,’ said ACMA Chair, Nerida O’Loughlin.

‘But we have also built flexibility into the technical frameworks for each band, allowing for other uses as well.’

The ACMA expects the spectrum on offer will be mainly used as follows:

• 1800 MHz – Mobile broadband services using LTE technology
• 2 GHz – 4G LTE or potentially 5G technologies
• 2.3 GHz – Wireless broadband services
• 3.4 GHz – Time Division Duplex mobile broadband services.

The ACMA will use Simple Clock Auction methodology with software developed by international online auction experts Power Auctions.

More information about the auction and the lots being sold is available in the applicant information package here.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Blake Murdoch, on
(02) 9334 7817, 0434 567 391 or
media@acma.gov.au.