The DEC of telecommunications infrastructure in Queensland is projected to increase from $2.8 billion in 2011 to $6 billion in 2031, a 119 per cent rise. This is a larger increase than the 95 per cent cumulative growth projected for Queensland's economy over the same period.
In Queensland, 90 per cent of premises have access to ADSL, 77 per cent have 3G mobile coverage, 75 per cent have 4G coverage, 26 per cent have access to hybrid-fibre co-axial (HFC) and four per cent have access to fibre to the premises.386 One per cent of premises also have National Broadband Network access, although this will increase rapidly.
For overall quality of fixed broadband service, Queensland has the third largest share of premises receiving the highest level of broadband service of any jurisdiction, behind Tasmania and the ACT. However, Queensland also has a relatively large share of premises that only receive the lowest level of service, more than either NSW or Victoria. This may be explained by Queensland being less capital city-centric (in terms of both population and economic activity) than NSW or Victoria.
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386. Department of Communications (2013)