Content hungry Aussies are byting into fast broadband speeds, consuming as much as they can, using enough data to spend 13 billion hours online per year.

There’s no denying Aussies are hungry for content. From flicking between social media platforms, to creating killer playlists on streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music, to watching viral vids on YouTube, or settling in for a long-haul Netflix marathon, it almost looks like Aussies are consuming as much data as they can.

In fact, figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) Internet Activity Report, released in April, show that Aussies downloaded 6 million terabytes in 2015.

To put that in perspective, that amount of data would cover 2 billion hours of Netflix in HD, based on Netflix’s own estimation of up to 3GB per hour, or around 13 billion hours of YouTube, assuming a 5 minute video at 720p.

That’s a lot of data to get through in a year, and is reflective of an impressive 45 per cent year-on-year increase.

On top of that, homes connected to a service over the nbn™ network have been found to be consuming approximately 35 per cent more data than the average Australian household. 

As the nbn™ network rollout continues, and more houses and business are being connected, that figure should start to have an impact.

With the number of nbn services out there, users are able to experience fast download and upload speeds, providing many Aussies with fast access to more of what they love.*

A bit of history 

At the end of 2013, around 861 thousand terabytes were downloaded in the three-month period leading into December.

This was an increase of approximately one third of what was found in June that same year (657 thousand terabytes).

By December 2014, the ABS found over 1.14 million terabytes were downloaded within the same three-month period.

Six months later in June 2015, these figures exceeded 1.38 million for the three months preceding. You get the idea.

Aussies appear to love content and seem to take in as much as we can, whenever we can.

In a just the past few years Spotify launched in Australia (2012), followed by an influx of other music streaming services.

Netflix launched in early 2015, also spurring competition in the video streaming market from the likes of Stan and Presto, all of which continue to drive an increased demand for broadband bandwidth.

These days, downloading a video game, or even updating one you already own, is often now several gigabytes, or more.

HD video streaming isn’t even a stranger to family calls anymore, with people turning to better cameras to keep in touch with loved ones, meaning Netflix-esque bandwidth requirements to maintain a clear image.

As we progress into the future, it’s easy to see how and why we’re consuming data.

From viral videos, binge watching our favourite series streamed online, to other forms of entertainment and even keeping in touch with loved ones, we’re on it and digital technology is only making it is easier to consume it all.

The figures don’t lie – Aussies are hungry for content, and access to fast broadband provides them with an opportunity to dive in. With a fast broadband service via the nbn™ network, Australians can enjoy more content when they want.

In case you haven't fully embraced your broadband potential yet, check out why streaming is the new black to more and more Aussies.

*Your experience including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ network depends on the technology over which services are delivered to your premises and some factors outside nbn’s control like your equipment quality, software, broadband plans, signal quality and how your service provider designs its network.