The report entitled "Internet Activity Survey" shows 3.91 million Australians are subscribing to broadband compared to 2.75 million for dial-up connections.

This represents an increase of 1.8 million broadband subscribers from March 2005 to September 2006.

Commenting on the report, Senator Coonan said broadband subscribers represent 59 per cent of the total number of Internet subscribers in September 2006 compared to 30 per cent in March 2005.

Wireless technology (mobile and fixed) is also showing growth with 4.8 per cent of broadband subscribers using wireless.

However, Shadow ICT Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, said the statistics show Australia is a broadband backwater when compared with the rest of the world.