The Australian Bureau of Statistics is reviewing what data is collected around information and communication technologies (ICT) and how it is used. ICT data is vital in ACCAN's work to measure and identify consumers who are disadvantaged by poor communications services, and are unable to afford communications products. There are a number of bodies that publish data regularly on telecommunications, but often different definitions are used making the data hard to compare.

In our submission we pointed out some areas where data is missing from the statistics that could usefully be included:

• Accurate and up to date data on technology use in Indigenous communities, among overseas residents and people with disabilities.
• Information on reasons why people do not have internet access
• A separate communications expenditure category in the household survey, so the level of expenditure is more easily identifiable.

ACCAN submission on ICT consultation105.39 KB

ACCAN submission on ICT consultation573.76 KB