The internet in Australia 2011: initial findings from the World Internet Project

This paper outlines initial findings from the most recent survey of the Australian component of the World Internet Project (WIP). WIP is a collaborative survey-based project looking at the social, political and economic impact of the Internet and other new technologies. The paper argues that while Australian internet use is very high and for some segments of the population approaching universality this has the potential to exacerbate the disadvantage of those not online. Despite a drop in support between 2009 and 2011 the National Broadband Network is still supported by a clear majority of Australians. While our research indicates that many Australians have integrated the internet into their daily lives our data overall indicates a plateau in many activities and the NBN has the potential to facilitate a new cycle of innovation. Finally it finds that the internet has become the most important source of news and information for users while pointing to the continuing problem of developing funding models given consumer resistance to paying for online content.