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Broadband Programs
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Tel: 02 6271 1009
Fax: 02 6271 1780
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Demand Aggregation Broker broadband program
Print this pageThe Demand Aggregation Broker (DAB) program aimed to build awareness of broadband and its benefits. It coordinated demand for broadband services at the regional and sectoral level to encourage investment in broadband infrastructure and the delivery of services.
The Australian Government funded the program with $8.4 million over two years ending in June 2006.
Demand aggregation strategies have concentrated on public services such as health, education and local government, and on the need to increase community connectivity.
A network of three types of demand aggregation brokers was established under the program.
Broadband initiatives across the health, education and local government sectors
State and territory based brokers
Working with governments and communities in the states and territories to develop demand aggregation projects, both across sectors and within particular geographic areas
Helping communities to develop and implement specific broadband demand aggregation projects
The program's achievements
Accelerating rollout
In two years the DAB program succeeded in accelerating the rollout of affordable broadband services in regional, rural and remote areas.
Aggregate estimates compiled from projects funded under the DAB program indicate that more than 900 000 people, in more than 300 communities, have gained access to broadband.
Brokers have achieved those results by aggregating necessary threshold demand to enable many local exchanges with ADSL.
For example, more than 260 exchanges have been ADSL-enabled in regions covered by the DAB program. The program expects a further 50 exchanges will be enabled by the end of 2006.
Helping new wireless service providers into the market
The DAB program has helped new wireless service providers to enter the market and develop regional broadband solutions in areas that may have otherwise been unable to afford them.
More than 60 new wireless services are now being delivered in DAB areas. The price of these services is mostly comparable with prices in metropolitan areas.
Broadband access and usage costs have been lowered not only by facilitating competitive services offerings but also by encouraging value added service solutions such VOIP (voice over internet protocol). These have delivered further savings to customers.
Successfully driving up demand
The DAB program helped spread awareness of broadband and its social and economic benefits throughout regional Australia .
This has been critical in driving up demand for broadband in more remote and isolated communities. It helped communities in regional areas to better identify their broadband needs, such as what applications to use.
The DAB program continues a collaborative and strategic approach: where possible, linking local demand aggregation projects to related state and Commonwealth funding initiatives such as Broadband Connect.
This has often meant brokers can leverage modest DAB funds and provide substantial infrastructure and services in their targeted communities.
Demand Aggregation Manual—a community resource
The Demand Aggregation Manual was published in 2004. It is a practical resource designed to help communities at the planning and implementation stages of broadband demand aggregation initiatives.
The manual includes advice on assessing infrastructure needs, seeding interest, and managing financial sustainability.
- Document ID: 17013 |
- Last modified: 6 February 2008, 10:05am