Acision, the world’s leading messaging company, today placed its support behind the Australian Government’s initiative to roll out a National Broadband Network (NBN), however stressed the significance of consumers’ demand and preference for mobile broadband services and internet applications as part of this initiative. 

Acision believes that the government and operators should collaborate to provide converged fixed and mobile services which will, not only, extend the reach of broadband to remote areas but provide users with the option to pick and choose the applications and services they want to use whether at home or on the move.

“They key question is, why be tethered to just a fixed line when Australia could have a world-leading converged fixed and mobile broadband infrastructure, empowering the population to do more with broadband,” asked Chris Jenkins, Chief Marketing Officer of Acision.

According to analyst firm Ovum, Australia had more than 2 million mobile broadband users as of end June 2009.  This number will continue to increase sharply as the cost of mobile broadband is rapidly driven down due to intense competition between operators. By 2012, a nine-fold increase in global mobile broadband revenues is expected. “The cost for mobile broadband has dropped sharply in the last 12-months and the appeal for consumers is clear, as they flock to it. People do not want to be tied just to a fixed line services anymore so the government needs to offer both,” continued Jenkins.

Acision further highlights that consumers want the option to select and consume the broadband “pipe” that fits their use case scenario at that time, be it downloading a movie or document, conducting internet shopping or surfing the internet or clearing emails. Additionally, consumers want the ability to access any service or application over any type of broadband connection, be it fixed or mobile.  For example, messaging over fixed-line, or accessing social networking sites via mobile.

As such, some internet usage behaviour calls for fixed broadband while some are convenient with mobile broadband. Acision cautions that technological developments that ignore consumer preferences are setting themselves up for failure.   Jenkin’s added, “We are not suggesting the Australian Government dismiss fixed-line. Clearly fixed line has a role, especially for the business community.  What Australia needs is a cohesive strategy that looks at fixed and mobile broadband collectively as well as the services that run across these.

“However, as service adoption of mobile broadband increases, so too the intense demands placed on mobile network resources. Optimizing traffic flows from any device is a key element that will reduce the billion dollar cost associated with mobile broadband infrastructure investments. Therefore, investment into mobile broadband and related services needs priority consideration as well.”

To speak to an Acision spokesperson about any of the points raised above, please contact Scott Pettet on +61 2 9409 3100 or email scottp@lewispr.com 


NOTES TO EDITORS

About Acision
Acision is the world’s leading messaging company, providing communication solutions for over 300 network operators and service providers globally. www.acision.com

Press Contacts

Radha K Floerke
Acision
Tel: +65 6505 1021 / + 65 9863 1449
Email: radha.floerke@acision.com

Scott Pettet
LEWIS PR
Tel: +612 9409 3100 
Email: scottp@lewispr.com

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