By Craig Zammit

SYDNEY: The latest Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Snapshot of Broadband Deployment report issued this week has revealed the number of broadband services in Australia now exceeds three million connections.

Broadband growth in Australia has been reported to have increased in 2006, with the total growth for the March quarter sitting at 13.5 per cent, up from the 12.1 per cent growth seen in the December quarter.

“The report shows that as at the end of March 2006, there were 3,161,600 broadband services connected across Australia,” said ACCC commissioner, Ed Willett.

In fact since March 2005, where Australia had 1,776,800 connections, broadband uptake has increased 78 per cent, with 1,384,800 new connections being established since the 2005 figure was recorded. ADSL services now contribute 2,295,200 connections.

“While the take up of ADSL services continues to outstrip other broadband technologies, an increasing number of customers have elected a wireless connection. Take up of other broadband technologies, including wireless, grew by 34 per cent in the quarter, albeit off a low base.”