The Adoption of Broadband Internet in Australia and Canada

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.

Broadband Diffusion and its Driving Forces

In the light of the emerging consensus on the potential impact of broadband technology on economic growth and development, this chapter analyzes the cross-country differences in growth of broadband technology by examining the key demand and supply factors driving diffusion in the observed countries. In addition, utilizing empirical evidence and country case analyses, the chapter offers tentative policy suggestions for accelerating broadband diffusion under alternative circumstances.

Ubiquitous Communication Via Residential Gateways

This chapter focuses on the equipment in the home, providing broadband access to the users into the home, called residential gateway. The chapter shows how such a device evolves from a simple modem to an advanced gateway system that contributes to: • The access inside the home of any data on any compatible device • The ubiquity of access points for the broadband network • The ubiquity of media data in the home from remote devices • The communication of mobile handsets via the fixed network. The objective of this chapter is to give the reader a technical insight into the enabling mechanisms and technologies dealing with such functionalities. The text indicates particular technical solutions, but explanations are kept high-level in order to allow nontechnical readers to understand the basics and concepts of the solutions. A number of references show that the technical exposé is becoming a reality.

Broadband for Health in Developing Countries

This chapter highlights the major issues in the use of broadband technologies in health care in developing countries. The use of Internet technologies in the health sector has immense potential in developing countries, especially in the context of public health programs. Some of the main uses of information and communication technologies (ICT) in health include remote consultations and diagnosis, information dissemination and networking between health providers, user groups, and forums, Internet-based disease surveillance and identification of target groups for health interventions, facilitation of health research and support to health care delivery, and administration. The technology has immense potential, but is also constrained by lack of policy direction, problems with access to technology, and lack of suitable infrastructure in developing nations. However, given its crucial role in public health, comprehensive efforts are required from all concerned stakeholders if universal e-health is to become a reality.

Broadband Diffusion to SMEs in the UK

Broadband is a relatively new technology and its adoption in the United Kingdom has been an issue due to its perceived benefits for businesses and more so for small/medium size enterprises (SMEs). In this chapter we argue that previous research focuses on home uses of broadband, particularly for educational purposes with little attention to its adoption by SMEs. We argue that the existing diffusion of innovation theories are inadequate for the study of broadband diffusion and we propose a more sociotechnical approach for that purpose. This study can be useful for SMEs considering adoption of new technologies such as broadband as well as policy makers that seek to apply effective technological adoption policies.

Characteristics of Farm and Rural Internet Use in the USA

The Internet became enmeshed in U.S. businesses management practices over the last decade. During this period access and use of the Internet increased for all regions of the United States, most types of work places, and all income groups. In this study we examine Internet use by farm and rural workers and proprietors using descriptive statistics and market demand analysis. In our market demand analysis approach, the primary methodology we use is categorical dependent variable analysis. The results indicate income is a critical element, though other factors such as age of proprietor and rural-urban location are also significant in market demand determination.

Factors Affecting Attitudes Towards Broadband Adoption in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Utilizing a survey approach, this research set out to explore the reasons for the slow progress in broadband adoption and investigates the factors that may be affecting the adoption of broadband by KSA consumers. Particular emphasis was placed on individual-level factors such as social and cultural influences. The key findings were that the factors with the main influence on attitude towards adoption of broadband were: (1) usefulness, (2) service quality, (3) age, (4) usage, (5) type of connection, and (6) type of accommodation. Contrary to prediction, although socio-cultural factors such as regulation through filtration of broadband were found to have no significant influence on the adoption of broadband, consumers were aware and largely did not like the regulation. The chapter also provides a discussion on research implications, limitations, and future directions.

Bridging the Digital Divide through Broadband Deployment

This chapter provides a summary relating to the functioning of two projects in the two Southern States of India, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, to show how through broadband deployment in rural areas the digital divide can be bridged. By focusing on the implementation of the two projects, the chapter illustrates their contribution in practically using the broadband technologies in overcoming the hurdles to bridging the digital divide, and highlights the critical success factors as identified during the functioning of the projects which helped the states in achieving their goals. The chapter also reveals through its analysis that the accessibility of services through broadband technology have brought an opportunity to the citizens to become a part of the current knowledge revolution, besides bringing about a great technological transformation to the areas where it is implemented, and thus contributed to bridging the digital divide. The chapter is finally concluded by proving that moving from a manual to electronic process with broadband technology as an enabler; the States set an example, which will serve as a set of guidelines for application of similar projects in other geographical settings.

South Africa

South Africa has fallen behind its international peers both developing and developed markets in the race to rollout broadband services. In fact, even within the African continent, it is neither the broadband leader nor progressive in comparison to its Northern African counterparts. This chapter explores the development of broadband services in South Africa, as well as touching on the challenges faced in bringing this phenomenon into the mainstream. Reasons for the lack of diffusion and adoption of such services point to high end user costs of the service, a very limited geographical footprint of both fixedline and mobile broadband infrastructure, as well as a lack of computer literacy and an understanding of what broadband is able to offer. The chapter looks at possible solutions, including introducing a greater degree of competition into the market to facilitate downward pressure on prices, as well as providing cost-based access to international submarine fiber cables and the unbundling of the local loop to further this objective.

The Design and Implementation of Business Models in Metropolitan Broadband Networks

This chapter presents the design principles that cover the implementation of broadband infrastructure in the region of Western Greece, by examining all the necessary parameters that arise while implementing such a critical developmental project. The broadband infrastructure that is deployed is either based on optical fiber (on big municipalities) or on wireless systems (OFDM based and WiFi cells). Furthermore, we present as two case studies all issues of the designing of the Metropolitan Area Network of Patras, the third largest city of Greece and the Wireless Access Network of Messatida. The major target of the broadband networks is to interconnect the buildings of the public sector in the city and also deploy infrastructure (fibers or wireless systems) that will create conditions of competition in providing both access and content services to the advantage of the end consumer. The usage of the broadband infrastructure by service providers will be based on the open availability of the infrastructure in a cost-effective way. Finally, we present the main characteristics of a proposed business plan that ensures financial viability of the broadband infrastructure and guarantees the administration, growth, and exploitation of infrastructure.