A report conducted by networking giant Cisco has found that total data used is set to increase by over seven fold by 2016.

 

The sixth annual Cisco Visual Networking Index Forecast (2011-2016) predicts internet traffic in Australia will grow 7.3-fold from 97 Petabytes a month in 2011 to 708 Petabytes a month in 2016 - a compound annual growth rate of 49 per cent, equivalent to two billion DVDs per year in data.

 

The National Broadband Network has jumped on the report, using it as categorical evidence of the need for a ubiquitous, high speed internet infrastructure.

 

"Australia's ability to participate in the digital economy is being held back by the unequal access to broadband around the country and a chronic need for faster upload speeds,” NBN Co’s Chief Technology Officer Gary McLaren said.

 

"A National Broadband Network with fibre at its core removes these bottlenecks making it easier for families and business owners to create and send large files, work from home and participate in video chats and conferences. It will enable true two-way broadband communications."