The term “local loop” refers to telephone infrastructure used to provide DSL (digital subscriber line) broadband Internet access to consumers in their homes. In many countries, the local loop was built and operated by a monopolist telephone company, referred to as the “incumbent” carrier. In order to increase competitive provisioning of DSL service, “local loop unbundling” policies have been developed. These policies force the owners of the local loop infrastructure to make their infrastructure available to other providers (for a fee), so that competitors can provide DSL service without building new infrastructure. There is no consensus as to whether such policies have been successful in promoting broadband uptake.
Published in Chapter:
The Adoption of Broadband Internet in Australia and Canada
Catherine Middleton (Ryerson University, Canada) and Shanton Chang (The University of Melbourne, Australia)
Copyright: © 2008
|Pages: 23
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-59904-851-2.ch049
Abstract
Broadband Internet connectivity is seen as a means to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of an economy. But despite ongoing efforts to promote broadband in Australia, uptake has been much slower than expected. This chapter aims to identify areas that have been holding up the broadband development in Australia. In examining multiple areas for attention (competition, user characteristics and behaviors, applications, network characteristics, and pricing), we refer to the experience of Canada, a leader in broadband deployment, to show the differences in each area. The chapter outlines objectives for the development of a more user-friendly broadband environment in Australia, which would encourage broadband adoption. Although both countries discussed here have their own policy agendas and some unique circumstances related to broadband deployment, the chapter provide valuable insights for policy makers and industry leaders in Australia, and in other countries which are struggling to develop widespread broadband deployment.