The demand for broadband is running high all across the planet. Australia carrier Optus just reported its first quarter broadband sales – the company now has a total of 350,000 internet broadband subscribers, up 63,000 from the 4th quarter 2004. Optus’ rival, Telstra has 500,000 subscribers. The horse race is on between the two carriers who are looking to sign-up a million subscribers by the year end. Meanwhile government in Australian state of Victoria is planning to spend $90 million on bringing megaband Internet to schools by connecting them over a 4 megabit backbone. (via BBR)