Broadband News
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
NBN cut-off date looms for almost 350,000 Australian homes and businesses
Many Australians risk losing their phone and internet access in 2017, with their home services cut off if they fail to switch to the National Broadband Network service available in their area.
Source: SMH
Stop using vulnerable Netgear routers: CMU CERT
Users of certain models of mass-market Netgear routers have been advised by Carnegie Mellon University's Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) to stop using the devices until a serious and easily exploited flaw is fixed.
Source: iTnews Australia
Vodafone fills CTO role in Australia
Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) has named Kevin Millroy as CTO, following the departure of Benoit Hanssen in August.
Source: ARN
Thu, 08th Dec 2016
NBN Co says it's still too early for MTM operating costs
NBN Co does not have a “defined operating cost” for each access technology in its multi-technology mix, and claims any attempt to apportion costs now would be “misleading”.
Source: iTnews Australia
Vodafone Will Sell You A Sony Phone And A PS4 So You Can Sony While You Sony
Do you need a new phone? Could you also use a new PS4 while you're at it, too? Vodafone has a new bundle that gets you a shiny new PlayStation 4 Slim and Sony's mid-range Xperia X -- presumably so you can play PS4 games on your phone using Remote Play.
Source: Gizmodo
Symbio Networks strikes Aussie VoIP deal with MyRepublic
Backed by Symbio, MyRepublic will deliver VoIP over the NBN and ADSL in Australia.
Source: ARN
NBN hits snag in FTTdp adoption
NBN Co is concerned that up to one million users in its planned fibre-to-the-distribution point (FTTdp) rollout could fall afoul of Australia's electricity laws due to the way the network equipment is powered.
Source: iTnews Australia