Use of video services on the rise: ACMA

Australians are increasingly relying on video services that use large amounts of data, according to a new report from ACMA.

The Communications report 2017–18 has been tabled in federal parliament, focusing on the current telecommunication and media environment and latest in industry innovations and consumer trends.

“Over 50% of Australian adults have subscribed to video services such as Netflix and Stan since their Australian launch in 2015, indicating just how fast the communications market can change,” said ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin.

Other key findings show that Australian adults are increasingly diversifying the use and mobility of their connected devices. In particular:

• 40% of adults used five or more devices in 2018, up from 23% in 2014
• 87% of adults accessed the internet through their mobile phone in 2018, up by 10% from 2014
• 16% of adults only used a mobile connection to access the internet in 2018, down from 23% in 2014
• 41% of adults only used a mobile phone to make voice calls at home, up from 27% in 2014.
   

“Consumer demands have led to significant investments in underlying infrastructure by industry and government,” said O’Loughlin.

These investments are as follows:

• The Australian Government contributed equity of over $24 billion between 2013–14 and 2017–18 towards the National Broadband Network (nbn) rollout
• The Australian Government has spent $220 million to deliver more than 800 new mobile base stations since 2013
• Industry spent around $5 billion between 2013 and 2018 at spectrum auctions, in addition to maintenance and upgrade of their mobile networks.
   

“Interconnectivity and mobility are now integral to the work, home and social lives of all Australians,” said O’Loughlin.

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Darko Novakovic

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