The DEC of communications infrastructure in NSW was $8.6 billion in 2011. This is projected to increase by $7.5 billion, or 87.3 per cent, over the period to 2031.
The relatively dense population in NSW leads to generally high broadband availability ratings. On both availability and quality metrics, NSW generally ranks higher than the other states. This is largely driven by the availability of a hybrid-fibre co-axial (HFC) network across significant portions of metropolitan Sydney.
In NSW, 90 per cent of premises have access to ADSL, 84 per cent have 3G mobile coverage, 64 per cent have 4G coverage, 27 per cent have access to HFC and three per cent have access to fibre to the premise. Less than one per cent of premises have National Broadband Network fixed wireless.302
For overall quality of fixed broadband service, NSW lagged a little behind Victoria and the ACT at the end of 2013. By comparison, a larger proportion of premises in Queensland and Tasmania have access to the highest level of broadband service.
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302. Department of Communications (2013)