Australia - Broadband Market - Overview, Statistics and Forecasts - 2012

(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/nf2r64/australia_broadb) has announced the addition of the "Australia - Broadband Market - Overview, Statistics and Forecasts" report to their offering.

In this report we provide an overview and analysis of the fixed and mobile broadband market including infrastructure statistics, major internet service provider statistics and information on the key providers. BuddeComm's 2012 Australia Broadband Market - Overview and Statistics annual publication profiles key sectors in Australia's broadband market.

This report also provides a statistical overview of the broadband market in Australia and includes an overview of the major network operators, wholesalers and retail service providers. The report also examines the developments in HFC networks, while the statistical sections of the report provide historical data as well as forecasts relating to fixed and mobile broadband usage, internet service providers and the business broadband market/sector.

Market highlights:

- The internet-connected home is nearly ubiquitous across Australia, with over 80% penetration rate predicted by end-2012;
- Total value of the broadband markets is now more than $4 billion;
- Cloud-based usage by business increasing as backups and shared data come from faster connections;
- Online businesses are sustaining higher financial returns into 2012;
- Data usage by users increases by 80% year-on-year in 2011 and is set to double as more broadband-enabled devices are used;
- Connected or smartTVs will see a very rapid uptake over the 2013-2015 period;
- An overview of new trends and existing technologies is provided;
- Penetration rate of HFC broadband subscribers is under 10% of the total broadband market in Australia;
- Key usage trends for the fixed broadband market.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Statistical Overview
2. The National Broadband Network (brief overview)
3. Business Market Statistics
4. Residential Market Statistics
5. DSL Market, Overview, Statistics and Providers
6. HFC Cable Networks
7. Mobile Broadband - Statistical Overview and Forecasts
8. Market Forecasts

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/nf2r64/australia_broadb

Superannuation Australia: Transparency Needed on Fees - Members Charged Too Much By Managers (Superannuation Australia)

While the Australian super industry has grown in scale, this has not translated into lower fees for members.

Despite the amazing growth of scale in Australia's superannuation industry, fees have grown instead of dropping in recent years and members should demand transparency from funds, a financial adviser has said.

Custom Wealth Solutions chief analyst Chris Appleyard said "typically, when a company increases its production or its supply of services, it achieves an economy of scale and can reduce the costs of doing business".

"Superannuation funds do not seem to have passed on these savings to fund members," Appleyard said.

"Although nobody likes to pay superannuation management fees, one may think they are just the price of doing business; a necessary evil one cannot avoid. Many super managers count on that attitude and are overcharging super members."

The local superannuation market has the fastest-growing pension sector in the world, having grown 17 per cent in the past 10 years. The $1.3-trillion business was more than triple the United States retirement market.

"However, despite this amazing growth in productivity, members and assets invested, super fees have grown instead of dropped in recent years. Consumers may think that paying fees is unavoidable if they want the benefits of a managed superannuation fund. They may also conclude that 1 per cent here or there won't make much of a difference in the long run. Unfortunately, they would be completely wrong," Appleyard said.

Not all super funds charged the same management fees, with the average charge being 1.3 per cent, according to super industry researcher SuperRatings.

"However, some funds will charge up to 4 per cent of the fund's assets in fees," Appleyard said.
"That's a huge difference. When it comes to super funds, just half of a point difference can mean $50,000 less at retirement."

The Australian Taxation Office's self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) overview for 2009/10 said the estimated average operating expense ratio of SMSFs fell from 0.69 per cent to 0.59 per cent and 0.54 per cent over the years ended 30 June 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively.

Most SMSFs had an estimated operating expense ratio of less than 1 per cent (64.7 per cent of SMSFs in 2010). The highest proportion (almost 38 per cent in 2010) had an estimated operating expense ratio of 0.25 per cent or less.

"Nevertheless, self-managed super funds do require a substantial investment in time and resources that could make them prohibitively expensive for members with small super fund balances," Appleyard said.

Often managers would charge fees for services that clients either did not need or did not know about. "It is crucial that super investors understand what services they are receiving and what it costs them or else you can end up paying for services you are not aware of and don't use," Appleyard said.

People should consider the cost and availability of insurance, the fees super funds charged, and their expected retirement age before choosing a super fund. For some people, a competitive industry or government super fund was a good fit, while others benefited from more flexible instruments, such as master trusts and SMSFs.

Rhonda and Ketut from AAMI's Car Insurance Commercial are a Facebook Hit

WE'VE all seen the ad and now Rhonda and Ketut are Facebook celebrities in their own right.
The stars of AAMI's car insurance ad, in which a sunburnt Australian woman and a Balinese bar attendant converse on a beach has spawned a fan page which has attracted over 52,000 likes in less than 48 hours.

The page, which has been named "The sexual tension between Katut and Rhonda," (sic) suggests that there is something more to Ketut and Rhonda's conversation than first meets the eye.
The creator of the page has reposted phrases from the ad such as "You look so hot today Rhonda. Like a sunrise" and "You're naughty" to back up his assumptions.

And users agree that there might be something going on between the flirty pair.
"You two are 'doing it', I know you are, everyone can tell..." wrote Daniel Taite.
Others have praised the ad for being the "best on TV".

"My kids are OBSESSED wth this ad, they run around playing 'the brakefoot game' and yelling rhonda is mine rhonda is mine. whoeva creatd this ad is a clever person very catchy," wrote Amber Lefevre.

While Jan D'orival added: "love the ad katut, when are you going to do another one?"
However, Rhonda isn't just making waves on Facebook.

Tribute t-shirts are already being sold in the Indonesian holiday destination and fans have posted photos of them wearing the souveniers on the page.

"Bali is actually full of singlets now that say "rhonda is mine" "I love rhonda" etc! They're so quick!" wrote Arlene Baverstock

Several other fan pages dedicated to Rhonda have also been created, including one that accuses the ad of being racist and reeking of "cultural and economic imperialism."