Australia’s broadband ranking dive shows MTM right for NBN, says Fifield

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news A recent Akamai report showing that Australia has taken a deep slide downwards in global broadband rankings represents evidence that the Coalition’s controversial Multi-Technology Mix approach is right for the National Broadband Network, Comms Minister Mitch Fifield said today.

The ‘State of the Internet’ report is produced by online content delivery specialist Akamai Technologies every quarter. It is regarded as one of the benchmark standards by which countries and organisations measure broadband speeds globally.

In the company’s latest report — measuring broadband speeds over the past three months, Akamai noted that Australia had slipped down 14 spots on the global table in that quarter in terms of average broadband connection speeds, as well as on a range of other measurements.

This places the nation behind a number of other competing countries in the Asia-Pacific region — not only behind fibre-rich countries such as South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan, but also behind financial and trading hub Singapore, as well as Taiwan, Thailand and New Zealand. Australia is now fast approaching less-developed countries such as Sri Lanka, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Labor said the slide in broadband rankings showed the Coalition’s technically inferior MTM approach to the NBN was failing the country, but in a major speech at a Communications Day conference this morning, Minister Fifield said it showed the opposite.

Fifield’s full speech is available here in PDF format.

“Despite the hyperbole, the Akamai Report is actually the clearest evidence yet that our ‘lowest-cost, fastest rollout’ approach is the right one,” said Fifield.

Fifield said that despite being six years into the Fibre to the Premises model chosen for the NBN (with more than 700,000 FTTP services on the NBN in operation), the Akamai report shows that Australia’s average and peak speeds placed the country down the table of leading broadband countries.

“Contrary to the opinion of FTTP advocates, a reversion to an all-fibre rollout is more likely to see Australia remain stagnant in the average speed rankings,” Fifield said. “As redesigns, construction interruptions, extended connection timeframes and affordability pressures inevitably leave more Australians waiting longer for better broadband.”

Fifield added that peak speed rankings could be an “unreliable” indicator of broadband utilisation.

For example, he said, while Singapore had the number one peak speed ranking in Akamai’s report, at 135.7Mbps, it only came in 16th globally for average speeds at 13.9Mbps. “That’s only 5.7 Mbps faster than the average broadband speed in Australia today,” he said.

Consequently, Fifield said, the Akamai report demonstrated that when it comes to Australia moving up the broadband rankings, the speed that matters most is the speed of the NBN rollout — not what specifically technology it uses.

opinion/analysis
I believe there are some logical inconsistencies in Fifield’s argument here.

Sure, the Minister is correct in his statement that Australia will get faster average broadband speeds quicker if the MTM model for the NBN is deployed, rather than the original FTTP model for the NBN.

This would mean that average broadband speeds in Australia would increase at the same pace or faster than the rest of the world, meaning that we would maintain our position in Akamai’s tables, or even move upwards.

However, it’s also true that FTTN and HFC cable have ceilings as technologies. They are fundamentally limited in terms of speeds (especially upload speeds) where FTTP is not.

And we’re not dealing with an infrastructure rollout that will be used in the next 5, 10 or even 20 years, here. The current generation of broadband infrastructure being rolled out globally will be used for the next 50-100 years.

I’ve always said that FTTN and even HFC will be fine for Australia in the short term — 5, even perhaps 10 years. But as the decades wear on, these technologies will be left behind and will not provide suitable speeds for the next generation of Australians — just as today’s copper network (ADSL2+) is not providing suitable speeds any more for today’s generation of Australians.

When this happens, those countries that have deployed large FTTP networks will have a natural advantage in terms of rankings such as the Akamai tables. They will not need to deploy new infrastructure for users to access higher speeds.

Yet Australia will.

Fifield’s argument shows, again, the short-sightedness of the Coalition’s MTM vision for the NBN. Pretty much every expert commentator on the NBN — including NBN company executives — agrees that the MTM model will need upgrading almost as soon as it is finished being deployed.

Australia is not dealing with a level playing field here when it comes to other countries’ broadband infrastructure. We are already behind, and the only way we can catch up over the long term is to deploy universal FTTP. That much is clear, and all of the Minister’s complex arguments about faster rollouts in the short-term will not change that fact.

You don’t spend $50 billion on a National Broadband Network if all you’re trying to do is move up the broadband rankings over the next 5-10 years. This is a once a century investment.

Image credit: Office of Minister Fifield

128 COMMENTS

  1. Such backward (ill)logic can only come from the flat earthers/our current leaders…FFS

      • So rolling out the best and most proficient (fastest) FTTP topology, will impact negatively upon err, speeds…?

        Said no one, but Mitch (and a few mindless posters here at Delimiter)… Especially when wasting two years transitioning backwards to retrograde FTTN/FRAUDBAND/NODAFAIL™…

        FFS, even his leader/our PM and the current NBN™ CEO, have said FTTP is the end goal.

        Nice work Mitch… contrary to what Renai tells us, it seems he is simply giving you the benefit of the doubt and respect (obviously undeserved)… because frankly it’s obvious after many bloopers, that you have NFI.

        • Well Rizz with doubling the cost more than double for it to be complete Mitch most likely believes doubling in ranking is going in the right direction which is backwards is the best course for Australia

  2. I finished reading this article and was trying to find the right words to express my feelings but I got a little busy banging my head on the desk. It seemed to make more sense that way.

    #iamrizz

      • People died for this country and now the mining boom is over(you know: the one Colin Barnett wouldn’t even admit was a boom!!) Nationalism will return to being the liberal voters favourite form of solace and it will remind them that THEIR FAMILY actually died for this.

        Get ready for a change of Government: SHORTEN KNOWS HE HAS IT IN THE BAG!

        (Hey: does old man Johnny have an opinion on copper internet? Is Joyce going to give us his then??)

        ~8^>

        • Who the fuck is Shorten?

          I’m sorry, ask anyone on the street. Not many people know who’s supposedly running the Labor party right now.

          Labor have made no effort to appear to want to be elected this year. They’ve had 3 years and they’ve promptly shut the hell up.

  3. Fifield said. “As redesigns, construction interruptions, extended connection timeframes and affordability pressures inevitably leave more Australians waiting longer for better broadband.”

    Given the recent revelations, that sounds like the MtM to me…

    Consequently, Fifield said, the Akamai report demonstrated that when it comes to Australia moving up the broadband rankings, the speed that matters most is the speed of the NBN rollout — not what specifically technology it uses.

    MiFo is making a pretty dumb comment here. Of course the technology used matters. If everyone else was rolling out coppertech, then yeah, the rollout speed matters. But as everyone else is rolling out next gen networks, it’s just putting us even further behind, and at greater cost, to get where they are.

    • I’ve said it before, and I will surely say it again, Labor screwed the pooch by not focusing on upload speeds.

      • Much like the LPA, they don’t get the Internet either really, they just see it as a “download thing” that you get movies off. If it hadn’t have been for the Expert Panel, Labors NBN probably would have been exactly like the MtM.

        Both parties are stuck in “last gen” thinking on what the Internet is and they both miss that it’s just a tool that can enable so much more.

  4. “A recent Akamai report showing that Australia has taken a deep slide downwards in global broadband rankings represents evidence that the Coalition’s controversial Multi-Technology Mix approach is right for the National Broadband Network, Comms Minister Mitch Fifield said today.”

    Was this written by The Onion?

    • Was this written by The Onion?

      I don’t believe Tony Abbott had anything to do with it.

      • He only eats onions… if he ever wrote anything that actually made sense (and The Onion stories, while humorous satire, do “make” sense), I would eat a raw onion myself… (and kill myself in the process)

        I’m rather surprised that Fifield thinks that a slide down the rankings is a “good” thing. In what world (other than bizarro world) is heading downwards a “good” thing? As he said himself, FTTP would have left us stagnant, yet MTM is driving us backwards and the Government are saying it’s great for us… Umm…, how…?

  5. Thanks to the laws of Physics, copper has a limitation that cant be ignored. The faster you push data, the sooner you get enough interference to kill the signal, more or less. My sister explains it better.

    But what these other countries almost universally have in common is one of two things. One, they have finished their FttN rollout, or two, are rolling out FttP.

    Those in the first group are in the same boat Australia will be in, and need more infrastructure. Those in the second group only need to change the technology at each end to see speed improvements. A far cheaper scenario, kind of like upgrading from ADSL to ADSL2 only needing new DSLAM’s rather than all new cabling.

    But instead, he tries to put a positive spin on it (and lets face it, why wouldnt he?) by looking at the short term benefits while ignoring the long term repercussions.

    Something awfully familiar about that…

    • Yeah.

      I will give MiFo some credit though, he is very, very good at spin! I think an average voter would actually buy pretty we’ll everything he said.

          • I just looked at the photo again and realised he was replaced by a drunk Drew Carey. No wonder he said the stupid things he did.

            That is what I must believe as the thought of our Minister for Communications actually saying the things he said would be too horrific.

    • Can see the headlines in a decade time FTTP to cost 3 times of what the estimated In 2016 what where they thinking.

      • Just look at the Southern Expressway in South Australia…. Originally $76m for a one-way expressway that changed directions at lunch time….

        Then 13 years later, the duplication project to make it run both directions was completed for $400m.

        • it needed 1 extra lane to be dual carriageway but no we must have the someones pet project instead therefore 1 way will do …. how smart are we! we saved what $20m!

      • Jason K,

        I thought FTTP was getting cheaper to roll out, make up your mind, half the time you don’t even know what you are arguing about, perhaps you are losing track with all the Rizz/Jason K/Hotcakes/Hubert sock puppet routine!

        • It is getting cheaper to roll out FttP, but when you add it onto the back of what its going to cost FttN, its doubling the price. For the very simple reason that its rolling out infrastructure twice.

          Do you think an upgrade from FttN to FttP comes for free?

        • It’s a very simple premise, Alain. You see the FTTP figures from CP16 that you love to quote so often (~$86b)?

          Now, remember the FTTP figures from SR13 or more credibly, the last review under Labor (~$45b)? You see how one figure is basically doubled?

          It’s a direct result of the monumental cockup the Liberals have inflicted upon Australia with its MTMess.

          • Now, remember the FTTP figures from SR13 or more credibly, the last review under Labor (~$45b)? You see how one figure is basically doubled?

            The Libs aren’t too good with numbers, they thought “carry the 2” meant double it.

        • I thought FTTP was getting cheaper to roll out

          it is, it was only ever the LPA “estimate” of it that kept getting more expensive….much like their FttN one…

  6. If they had let the ftth rollout continue, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. I can’t believe the rot that is being thrown about. Mtm had not been faster, sooner or cheaper. Certainly not value for money.
    Even before the fttn rollout is completed, the whole thing will need to be overbuilt with fttp and left with stranded assetts.
    What a narrow minded, short sighted view these guys have.

  7. NBNco first undoing was not using its own internal workforce for the rollout.
    NBNco second undoing was not continuing with FTTH rollout.
    Telstra was valued at 24 billion in 1997.
    Whats NBNco spending today? 30 billion? 50 Billion? 100 billion? Who knows!
    This country is flapped!

      • Just as well FTTP stopped then with CP16 funding calculations at $74-85B with a finish date of 2026-2028.

          • It’s not $56B for the MtM, and it is the funding predictions and finish date for FTTP from CP16.

            Two out of two wrong again Rizz.

          • Devoid failed comment invalid.

            The cp16 does say $56B 3 times so I am correct your wrong lol.

            Second that is a restart of FTTP not a continued as you claim great misquote there

          • Of course that’s right, it’s $70B not a mere $56B for FRAUDBAND/NODAFAIL™…eh alain?

            With 4 year hold ups for a vastly inferior, shitty product.

            Thanks for reminding everyone… whaddaguy.

            So whilst you are in reminder mode, please remind us all again why you now support such an inferior shitty MTM network for us all, including you and your’s and excuse the $70B cost thereof (according to the Coalition’s Treasurer at the time).

            Especially after you yourself clearly claimed years ago, that although the mid $40B for (the superior future proof) FttP network was a lot of money (although of course $30B less then the current complete shit pile fuck up)…

            … I quote you alain – “FTTP can’t help but be a success”!

            You’re welcome.

        • Just as well FTTP stopped then with CP16 funding calculations at $74-85B with a finish date of 2026-2028.

          Yeah, not wrong. If they’d kep going with it, who knows where it would have ended up? Probably $1 trillion in the year 3000, right?

        • Oh and thank you again for contradicting your self again as your misquoting your self again

          • Stick to the sock puppet routine, it is at least hilarious you need to support yourself.

          • Back to the personal attacks again devoid. But really devoid no one can match your comic routine

          • You know Jason, alain isn’t paid to be funny?

            It’s just a happy accident, that his stupid comments forever contradict to the nth degree and amuse us all so..

            He’s actually trying his best to be serious, so cut him a bit of slack as you would a poor sorry mangy dog who wanders into your place and has NFI about anything…

            Just play with him/feed him, show him who’s boss and then cut him down with facts (he hates facts)… and he will whimper, tail between legs, silently, back to the kennel, where he belongs.

            As I do.

          • I know Rizz I have really hit a nerve with him lately with the insults he has been throwing my way but that’s all he can do because he can’t argue against that facts.

          • (he hates facts)

            I think the only facts I ever saw from him was that one about roads.

          • Rizz omg it was really insightful. Let me tell you my mind was fucking blown when I read it, ok, ok, wait, ok get this omg:

            “Before roads there were no roads”

            Does that not amaze you?

          • Wow HR that is truly amazing…

            What a profit (whoops prophet) ;)

            But do you know what would be even more amazing though?

            If one looked hard enough, one would undoubtedly find another equally amazing comment soon after or just before, from our poor sorry but very dear friend, stating…

            “Of course there were roads before roads”… but you knew that, so out come the detour signs.

            Roads/detours signs, see what I did there…

            PRICELESS

          • “Before roads there were no roads”

            Does that not amaze you?

            it’s very insightful, isn’t it!

          • I think the only facts I ever saw from him was that one about roads.

            He’s never seen a fact that he didn’t like…..to ride roughshod over with a steamroller…

        • Please provide Citation for ANY document released prior to the 2013 elections that provides those estimated figures.

          You can’t? Oh, pity.

  8. Despite the hyperbole, the Akamai Report is actually the clearest evidence yet that our ‘lowest-cost, fastest rollout’ approach is the right one

    You wont fool anyone with this line Mitchy.

    Contrary to the opinion of FTTP advocates, a reversion to an all-fibre rollout is more likely to see Australia remain stagnant in the average speed rankings

    What a buffoon. The coalition clowns are the ones that made a mess of it to ensure a return to FttP was made as hard as possible, that was the intention. Had the roll out continued as planned it wouldn’t have to “revert” back to FttP.

    • Indeed HC/G umm yes…

      “Contrary to the opinion of FTTP advocates, a reversion to an all-fibre rollout is more likely to see Australia remain stagnant in the average speed rankings”.

      Keeping in mind even the PM and NBN™ CEO have said FTTP is the “end goal”… as such, this comment clearly demonstrates complete political vandalism of halting the FTTP roll out, for the sake of politics, at Australia’s expense.

      • So if FTTP is so great then Labor will restart it, which will be interesting because at the end in 2013 they had virtually only just got out of piloting FTTP.

        New goals, from FTTP to 93% by 2021 to umm err trust us, we will work something out in the SR 2017-2018.

        • Says who, you alain…?

          Now tell us about MTMs $40B+ blowout (according to the Coalition’s own previous Treasurer) and the 4 year hold ups… for the faster/cheaper (cough, splutter) FRAUDBAND/NODAFAIL ™ shit pile.. that even your heroes are looking to change to FttDp, because it’s just so fucked.

          GO

          Your welcome.

        • So if FTTP is so great then Labor will restart it, which will be interesting because at the end in 2013 they had virtually only just got out of piloting FTTP.

          According to nbn™ they’ll be able to switch with no delay at all now.

  9. Mr potato head falls at logics again!

    If Turncoat hadn’t killed the NBN, and spent 2 years buying a bunch of decrepit copper networks, we’d prolly have 3 million homes passed by FTTP and FW by now!

    • But probably not when extrapolating the trend from 2013, where the only way they got anywhere near to FTTP rollout targets was to halve the rollout targets.

      • But probably not when extrapolating the trend from 2013, where the only way they got anywhere near to FTTP rollout targets was to halve the rollout targets.

        Like the first three from when Ziggy took over, each one half the one previous…

        • Yes it is interesting that the current NBN Co has more premises RFS in five months with FTTN than the Labor NBN Co did in three years with FTTP.

          • Well it you count when MTM stared back in 2013 they had no FTTN in 5 months.

            So far when they finally started rolling out FTTN officially with only 30K in 7 months isn’t beating FTTP in 3 years.

          • Nope, I put it through Google translate and it still doesn’t make sense.

            But then it wasn’t meant to make sense eh Rizz?, as long as it ‘looks’ like a response.

          • Well der alain…

            The inferior shitty FRAUDBAND/NODAFAIL™ is supposed to be cheaper and faster… to offset its shittiness…

            But it isn’t cheaper or faster… err just shitty… because its $40B+ over the promised cost (according to the Coalition’s own former Treasurer) and 4 years behind…

            Oh that’s right they revised their shit pile didn’t they…so all is ok NOW…ROFL. Even though revisions were derided by you previously when the others did it but on a much lesser scale than the FRAUDBAND/NODAFAIL™ complete fuckup… CLASSIC

            Is this where I again, copy/paste YOUR own house building spiel from a few years ago, as I did a few weeks ago to again humiliate you (although you do a good job at humiliating yourself I must say)?

            You know where you bagged Quigley and Co for being marginally (compared to this current clusterfuck) behind and then revising, by raving about house building?

            Remember, I know it was years ago, but I did refresh it only a week or so ago, so you must recall… no?

            I thought not..

            You’re welcome…

  10. Fifield would have been right if the Coalition had delivered 25 Mbit/sec to all by the end of 2016 and 50-100 Mbit/sec by 2019 like they promised.

    This never happened.

    Therefore Fifield is WRONG and talking crap as usual.

    • This never happened.

      Still 270 days left. Please give them a chance :-)

      • Indeed HG/C/R/bloody.

        Unlike the back to the future 2003 copper cretins here, who have no understanding of fair play, lets at least be fair and give the current genuinely elected government the opportunity to do as they promised, they would…

        Then, if/WHEN they fail with their 4 years behind/as good as 2.5 x blown out (according to their previous numbers guru Hockey) we can then point our fingers and say, told you all this fucked, retrograde, idiot network was going to be a fucked, retrograde, idiot network.

        But let’s not rush it. Lets’ savour it and watch the minions squirm, change tack, contradict (as we have done already, regularly here…lol) and eventually say they supported FttDp not FttN FRAUDBAND, as they will and are already hinting at and trying to link to MTM… *sigh*

        Popcorn please “HP”

        ;)

        • But let’s not rush it. Lets’ savour it and watch the minions squirm, change tack

          Not much to savor, I think there is only two or three left here trying to convince themselves. Copper pheasants are a dying breed it seems, indicative of the FttP roll outs worldwide but we still may have to put up with their temper tantrums for a few more years.

      • Given that they themselves have revised their schedule to 25Mbps to ‘some’ by 2020, I think it’s well and truly safe to say that they will/have fail(ed) on their election promise.

  11. So Fifield,
    If you have a child and your child’s grades slip, can you still say your child is on the right track?
    There’s definitely something wrong with you and your whole Liberal family!

    Bloody idiots!

  12. MTM is yet to have a significant effect on speeds since the overwhelming majority of the NBN is still FTTP. On that basis what we find is that 79% of Australians simply aren’t prepared to pay for more than 25Mbps, while only 16% (down 3% in 12 months) are able to pay for 100Mbps and RSPs are still not selling plans faster than 100Mbps.

    I think this gives much clearer evidence that the overwhelming majority won’t be impacted by the change in technology. For those who are impacted, they can either choose to move or opt for fibre on demand.

    • Apparently “Fibre on Demand” is not really available. It is clearly a distraction to NBN management who just want to meet politically sensitive targets.

        • @ alain.

          “Apparently “Fibre on Demand” is not really available.

          Apparently it is available.”

          But why would they even offer such wasteful FTTP speeds, “that we will never need, over and above the ultimate FTTN, alain?

          It’s as if…..????????

          You’re welcome.

          • But why would they even offer such wasteful FTTP speeds, “that we will never need, over and above the ultimate FTTN, alain?

            Of course Rizz, only pie rats would need the amazing strength downloadz powa of FttP on the intertubz to download their pron, normal christian folk only need 1.5Mbps :p

      • Apparently “Fibre on Demand” is not really available.

        Reality is right. You just need to be a former Goldman-Sachs banker to be able to afford it.

    • OK, I confess, I helped reduce our National Broaband Speeds. I refused to pay more than what I was paying on ADSL2+, even though I’m getting 20x better speeds, most times. But I never wanted a Terabyte plan. I wanted a 250GB plan. And I can’t get one without further depressing the Oz speed ratings.

      Mea Culpa.

      I tell youse what. Find a 50/20 plan with 250GB data allowance and VoIP at $70/month, I’ll see what we can do. If youse find me a 50/50 plan with &etc at that price, I’ll be in like Errol.

      • Given that I am in the country I will be looking at whatever the max speed is on FTTN and taking 500GB a month with Inernode for $95 max. That is for 100/40 but wll be even cheaper if I can’t get that speed.
        At that rate I will see a saving of $40 against my current 300GB plus phone line for $120 as I have already been using MyNetfone for telephone calls. I decided on them when I first moved here as Telstra wanted $100 a month for unlimited national calls and MNF was offering their whirlpool $5 plan which included 100 national calls.
        I moved here expecting to pay $over $200 a month for telephony but managed to cut it down to $135 and will hopefully soon be reducing that to $100 using NBN and IP telephony.

    • @Maddy – “79% of Australians simply aren’t prepared to pay for more than 25Mbps

      This is still absolute drivel…

      1. That report from the middle of last year could have changed the next day as that is how long it takes for a plan to change speed.
      2. 20% of the total (according to Telstra) do not use the internet connection at all, so most of the 12/1 connections are actually phone-only, and 25/5 was the sweet spot on that date.
      3. This illustrates the huge difference between MTM and FTTP…MTM has a ceiling and an instant change for a higher demand will not be possible over time, while FTTP has no ceiling and those folks will be able to increase their speed to fit their needs instantly rather than wait for years and a whole new round of construction and rollouts (and financing to do that).

      The demand of this second is meaningless, so spouting a mix of initial plan speeds is even more meaningless. As an example, when ADSL first came out, most folks still remained connected to dial-up (over 80% for the first few years). However, as knowledge and experience spread, the changeover happened at lightning speed and within 2 years that 80% became closer to 15%.

      Being focused on a single data point is never a good idea…if in the next 6 years there are still 40% on 25Mbps or slower, you might have a point, but today it is just irrelevant.

      • Absolutely correct Chas, every single Telstra Bigpond cable customer is on 30/1.5 mbps as a minimum! On top of that Telstra reportedly have a healthy percentage of customers paying an extra $20 per month for 110/2.5 mbps!

        If ppl didn’t need more than 25 mbps then all those Telstra cable customers would stick with ADSL2!

        • Thank you for backing the NBN HFC rollout, seems like the decision to get the Optus and Telstra HFC infrastructure for the same price Labor were paying to have it shut down was a smart one.

          • You mean FAILED (your word) HFC…then HUGE maintenance costs on top, for the same FAILED (your word) networks?

            WTF are you on?

            Why do you now promote a network you clearly said was FAILED… Are you insane? Rhetorical, answer known.

            Failed = Smart says alain

            Ok, alain you and your argument are in alain speak so “smart” ;)

            You’re welcome.

          • seems like the decision to get the Optus and Telstra HFC infrastructure for the same price Labor were paying to have it shut down was a smart one.

            Except they also promised to pay for the maintenance, so it isn’t “the same price”…

            You sure do love apples and oranges…

        • Derek – “every single Telstra Bigpond cable customer is on 30/1.5 mbps as a minimum!”

          Since today??? I have several friends and colleagues that will rejoice at this change in policy. I’m sure that the TIO will have plenty of letters!

          • “Telstra’s HFC is pretty good”

            Depending on what area you’re in, it certainly can be…but it can also be quite poor. HFC Lotto…:)
            I myself have been quite morose as most of the projects I tried to bring to Oz ended up going to Singapore instead for this very reason. They have 10G/10G Unlimited FTTP for about $190…sigh…

      • Chas,

        Being focused on a single data point is never a good idea…if in the next 6 years there are still 40% on 25Mbps or slower, you might have a point, but today it is just irrelevant.

        You don’t get to decide what is relevant or not just because you don’t like the figures presented in the NBN Co Half year reports.

        If you are going to quote ‘next six years figures’ at least get the percentage correct on NBN customers who are on 25Mbps or lower, it’s not 40% it is 78% at end of 2015.

        • @ Alternate – “You don’t get to decide what is relevant or not”

          I am not…the field of statistics is.
          And your figures are highly misleading…according to Telstra, that was 20% on no internet (phone-only) which the NBN listed as a 12/1 plan…so 58% on 25Mbps or less. But of course, with FTTP that can change the next day, so that report from 9 months ago may have been completely wrong within a day of its release.

          You also seem unable to read what was written…I said 40% IN 6 YEARS (did the caps help?)

          • You also seem unable to read what was written

            That’s not new, I’d like to point out. He has always had comprehension issues.

          • Alain and Matthew are our very own reincarnation’s of Lord Percy and Baldrick! Both are idiots!

            I’m not sure what that makes Richard tho, possibly Lord black adder! Lol

    • Jason K

      “The MTM is expecting 30% on 100Mbps by 2020 are they wrong too?”

      I think it’s a trait of the ideologically impaired/copper crusaders to simply ignore such awkward questions, rather than manning-up…

      • I know Rizz our friend Mathew keep banging on FTTP target of 20% on 100Mbps by 2026 but still hasn’t answered why MTM target for 2020 is 30% on 100Mbps.

        But it be if they do hit those figures by then FTTP was the right decision

        But then why are we spending $56B when all we need by 2023 is 15Mbps. Adsl2 does that.

    • Read:
      “Despite the ratio of people on 12Mbps services being 15% lower than estimated, switching up to higher end plans and therefore making the network more money, only an above-forecasted 16% of people are taking up 100Mbps plans, ergo we should build a network that limits all of Australia to the 25Mbps plans.”

      • Exactly, it’s actually good news that more folk are actually taking higher speed plans than the original forecasts had.

        Mat likes to spin it as being something bad though…

        • What you and others prefer to ignore is the drop in speed tier 100/40 usage from 19% in 2014 to 16% in 2015.

          blink-blink-blink time eh?

          • One is a prediction, the other is what is actually happening from the audited NBN Co Half Year reports.

            Hurts the FTTP fan boys eyes, but there ya go.

          • Don’t you know how to navigate around the NBN site and get to the Half Year Reports PDF?

            Hint: it’s in the Media Centre/Media releases

          • @ alain

            So what was the original estimate for 100mbps in 2016?’

            GO.

            “One is a prediction”…ROFL…

            Tell that to your compadre Mathew, who spent the last 5 years blabbing about one prediction. GOLD we have a cat fight.

            Yes 1.5 blinks again whatever.

            Audited by Mr NODAFAIL™ 30Gbps on HFC and 5 Gbps on FttN… along with the boys (wink)… yeeees.

            You’re welcome

          • Don’t you know how to navigate around the NBN site and get to the Half Year Reports PDF?

            You answered a question I didn’t ask. Once again, which firm audited the reports?

            And to save time, they are a “Reviewed”, not audited.

            A review of a Half-Year Financial Report consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards and consequently does not enable me to obtain assurance that I would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, I do not express an audit opinion.”

    • Again demographics makes a difference. Where are the areas that have been rolled out with FTTP. What is the makeup of the people in those areas?

      The people who have the disposable income and willingness to pay for higher tiers are generally in areas that are not currently being served by FTTP, areas such as Inner city and CBD type regions.

      A drop of 4% could well account for that.

      Either way, we are still higher than expected, as even with the 4% drop in higher tiers, there is still a 12% increase up from 12/1.

      • Something I find curious is that many of Renais earlier articles mention the take up rate for 100/40 was over 40%.

        What happened between now and then that it’s dropped to 16-18%?

        • I think you may be referring to the first release sites/pilot phase, where the 100/40 speed was actually subsidised for piloting , not the FTTP commercial speed tiers release and sign ups from ISP’s reflected in 2014 and 2015 sign up stats in the NBN Co Financial Reports.

  13. I have to add my voice to those who claim Fifield does not make sense when you think about it.
    Maybe he should have been clearer saying that MTM makes political sense as he believes his party will be in power for another term during which the rollout will increase the rankings which will be capped before we start to slide down again due to FTTPs speed limits.
    This is a traditional political time bomb which they want to go off in the oppositions face. If things start looking bad before they lose power they will artificially make things “better” for us and the rankings by discontinuing offering the lowest speed tier to NBN retailers. If the rankings go bad after their term they will blame the government in power for the failings.

  14. What sort of ham fisted logic is that?! Whatever Fifield is smoking, I want some as it clearly is a grade many times above what we have access to!!

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