Why is broadband in Australia so expensive (compared to other countries) for such limited services?

Question

You get so much less in Australia compared to overseas - slower speeds, download limit caps - and all at more expensive prices. Is it Telstra's unwillingness to open up their infrastructure? Is it an issue with the underlying technology in Aus? Is it because Aus doesnt have LLU? Or something else?

Answer 1

Its something to do with the government and the technology .. This is all I know!

I think other countries have thier services subsidized by the government. Or similar.

Where we just have small private providers. Meaning we pay much more for much less!

Answer 2

So is there anything stopping me starting up a small isp offering unlimited dl's at acceptable speeds? such as what we see overseas.

And, to add to Alexis's question, why is it only optus and telstra who offer cable internet? surely this is the answer to tech restrictions?

Answer 3

Political reason is part of it ...

also Australia is very big with very little people.

hence the higher costs for the ISPs.

- need to build inferstructure across the whole country and a lot of them are getting little use.

- low population means ISP needs to charge more to sustain their operation.

Answer 4

Well I suppose it is the same reason why it is alot cheaper to buy a domain from a website host overseas compated to here.

Answer 5

because Australians are stupid we lead the world in technology Australians buy imported Seafood when Australian seafood is some of the cleanest in the World and cheaper at the fish markets  Australians dont know how to buy and get Value for money I own a classic car and here in Australia they want me to pay over double for parts that i can buy from USA cheaper I purchased a 32 " lcd tv for under 900 dollars and the big store are still selling them for 1500 dollars and IDIOTS are still buying them Petronix electronic ignition AU $337  i purchased mine from USA $89 = 23 Postage $112 USA about $125 au This is a great country to live in but Australians do nothing about being ripped off the use the excuse what can i do try going else where I buy $20 dollar Long sleeve shirts in the summer for $10.00 and $25.00 short sleeve shirts in the winter for $12.00 i always buy my clothes when shops have genuine sales but then I was not borne in Australia

Virgin sell Broadband in UK for 10 pound a month about $20.00 au most people pay about $60.00 and our wages are about half of UK  

Even in India you can get 256 kilobits per second for $11.00 us a month

Answer 6

politics and politicians