Broadband News
Tue, 20th Dec 2016
NBN connection process adversely impacting 40 percent of businesses: ACMA
An ACMA survey has found only 22 percent of business respondents connected to the NBN without issue.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telstra begins blocking pirates following Federal Court decision
Telstra follows through on Federal Court order to block piracy sites such as The Pirate Bay.
Source: ZDNet Australia
The govt is considering opening up metadata to civil lawsuits
The federal government is considering whether to exercise its powers to make the personal data stored under the nation's data retention scheme open for use in civil litigation.
Source: iTnews Australia
Telstra Payphones Are Free For Christmas
From Christmas Eve until 28 December, local, national and mobile calls from Telstra payphones will be free. Merry Christmas!
Source: Gizmodo
Mon, 19th Dec 2016
Vodafone builds cybersecurity centre for enterprise customers
Vodafone Hutchison Australia is building its first Cyber Defence and Response Centre in an effort to help protect its enterprise customers from online security threats.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Fri, 16th Dec 2016
Don’t declare mobile roaming, Fifield warns ACCC
In a move that is likely to anger Optus and Vodafone, Communications Minister Mitch Fifield has weighed into the mobile services regulation debate, warning the ACCC in a letter that declaring domestic roaming could hamper private investment.
Source: iTWire
It's Official: Australian ISPs Will Be Forced To Block The Pirate Bay And Other Torrent Sites
The Federal Court has ordered Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block five torrent websites, including Pirate Bay and TorrentHound, within 15 days. Here's what you need to know.
Source: Gizmodo
Thu, 15th Dec 2016
Optus says Vodafone blew its chance on 4G
Vodafone squandered its first-mover advantage on 4G and can only blame its own “commercial priorities” and network problems for its market woes, according to Optus.
Source: iTnews Australia
Aussie ISPs ordered to block The Pirate Bay
Australia’s biggest carriage service providers have been ordered to block The Pirate Bay and a number of other copyright-infringing websites after the federal court today ruled in favour of Foxtel and Village Roadshow.
Source: iTnews Australia
Australian ISPs to block piracy sites from the pocket of content owners
The Australian Federal Court has ordered ISPs to block piracy websites, with content owners having to pay for the privilege.
Source: ZDNet Australia
TPG seeks Telstra piggyback into mobile market
TPG Telecom is hoping to gain access to Telstra’s regional mobile network to bolster the reach of its planned mobile network.
Source: iTnews Australia
Vodafone calls Telstra a 'free-rider' on taxpayer funds
Vodafone has belatedly hit back at being branded an infrastructure “freeloader” by Telstra, accusing the incumbent of “free-riding on taxpayer investment”.
Source: iTnews Australia
First sites to be blocked in piracy fight
The Federal Court has handed down the first website blocking injunctions under Australia’s anti-piracy laws.
Source: Computerworld
Do not use these internet statistics if you are an Australian politician
Australia is doing better than ever/about the same/much worse -- delete as appropriate to fit your world view -- according to the latest Akamai State of the Internet Connectivity report.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Foxtel Play (With HD Streaming) Is Now On Telstra TV
Foxtel Play is now available on Telstra TV - with live HD streaming , no less. Foxtel calls the launch "the first step in Foxtel’s push to broaden HD access" for subscribers, and promises more HD streaming services are to come in 2017.
Source: Gizmodo
TPG wins Singapore mobile bid in $98m deal
TPG has had its first win in its bid to add mobile carrier services to its portfolio following a successful tender for the new entrant spectrum auction in Singapore.
Source: ARN
Wed, 14th Dec 2016
NBN Co to bring skinny fibre to new estates in 2017
NBN Co has revealed plans to begin deploying “skinny fibre” in new housing estates from April next year.
Source: iTnews Australia
Let Optus, Vodafone, and TPG pick up 700MHz spectrum: ACCC
Restraining Telstra from acquiring additional 700MHz spectrum would help competition, the ACCC has advised the Australian government.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telstra banned from 700 MHz auction
Telstra has been barred from buying any more 700 MHz spectrum for its 4G network at an auction next year, after the government heeded advice from the competition watchdog.
Source: iTnews Australia
The NBN has cost Australia $8.8bn in net worth
The federal government's investment in NBN Co to date has seen the Commonwealth's net worth drop by $8.8 billion, the parliamentary budget office has revealed.
Source: iTnews Australia
Here's How Much The NBN Is Really Costing The Government
Today the Parliamentary Budget Office released a report showing exactly how much money the Australian Government has already invested into NBN Co, and how much it is expected to cost over the next 10 years.
Source: Gizmodo
Spectrum auction could boost opportunities for TPG 4G network
TPG could potentially pick up a significant chunk of spectrum in the 700MHz band, boosting its ability to roll out a 4G mobile network, under rules set by the government for an upcoming auction.
Source: Computerworld
Tue, 13th Dec 2016
TPG forced to reveal FTTB business model
TPG will be compelled to reveal the extent of its fibre-to-the-basement (FTTB) network and “clarify” its business model under revised rules that take effect next year.
Source: iTnews Australia
Visionstream to shed staff as Optus construction wraps up
More than 80 Visionstream employees could be affected as the telecommunications and IT services company winds back its workforce, according to the Communications Workers Union.
Source: ARN
Industry weighs in on proposed NBN levy
Industry feedback has already started rolling in over the Federal Government’s proposed NBN industry levy, which could see network providers pay millions each year.
Source: ARN
TPG spooks government into AU$7 monthly broadband tax to replace NBN cross-subsidy
NBN's internal cross-subsidy between fixed-line, and wireless and satellite technologies is set to disappear under draft legislation released by the government on Monday.
Source: ZDNet Australia
The Government Wants To Charge You $7 A Month To Fund Regional NBN
The cost of connecting some regional areas to broadband - via satellite and fixed connections - is high enough that it is just not profitable.
Source: Gizmodo
Mon, 12th Dec 2016
Broadband levy to subsidise regional NBN services
The government has revealed details of a proposed scheme to help fund NBN’s so-called “non-commercial” services: The fixed wireless and satellite services that are used to deliver broadband services outside the National Broadband Network’s fixed-line footprint.
Source: Computerworld
Vodafone promotes networks chief to CTO
Vodafone has appointed its head of network delivery to the role of chief technology officer following the August departure of former CTO Benoit Hanssen.
Source: iTnews Australia
Optus added to govt’s new telecommunications service panel
Telco named as the last supplier selected to sit on the federal government’s new four-year, whole-of-government telecommunications service panel.
Source: ARN