Broadband News
Thu, 21st Apr 2016
Telstra using machine learning to deal with 'distressed' customers
Telstra's general manager for analytics has said the telco giant has been employing machine learning techniques in attempt to reduce the frustration of its distressed customers.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telstra invests in NGINX web server
The web server providing services for companies such as Netflix, Instagram, Airbnb, and Pinterest has been bolstered by an investment from Telstra Ventures.
Source: ZDNet Australia
New cybersecurity strategy supports elements of government’s economic plan: Turnbull
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has just released Australia’s cybersecurity strategy, aimed at enabling innovation, growth and prosperity.
Source: ARN
Wed, 20th Apr 2016
Copper in Perth 'better than anticipated': NBN
In response to reports that the copper being used in the FttN rollout in Perth is 'disastrous', NBN has said it is actually in a better state than anticipated.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Netflix is thinking about offline movie and television downloads
Netflix is huge, and the streaming service is not only making money hand over fist but also pumping out some of the best original TV shows anywhere today. But there's still one thing that fans sorely want from it: offline playback.
Source: PC Authority
.au direct registrations: a regrettable decision?
The news that auDA has decided to go ahead with direct registrations in the .au namespace is disappointing, but not surprising.
Source: iTWire
Telco competition benefits consumers, says ACCC
Consumers are reaping the benefits of competition in the telecommunications sector from increased data allowances, new services and lower prices, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Source: iTWire
Optus announces 10-year Paralympics deal
In another step towards becoming a self-proclaimed 'multimedia company', Optus has announced its sponsorship of the Australian Paralympic Team.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Netflix Is Adding 150 Hours Of HDR Video This Year
Netflix’s catalog of 4K titles has grown over the past couple of years to now be 10 times more than when it started, and the streaming service has announced overnight that it now plans to grow it’s catalog of High Dynamic Range titles at a similar pace.
Source: Gizmodo
Tue, 19th Apr 2016
ACCC Says We Are Consuming More Data At Lower Prices, Thanks To Competition
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s annual telecommunications report for 2014 to 2015 is out, and the ACCC says it shows that consumers are “continuing to benefit from competition in the sector”.
Source: Gizmodo
Internet Australia call for bi-partisan political approach to nbn
With a federal election now set to be held in July, Internet Australia has issued a call to both the Government and the Opposition to put politics aside and agree on a bipartisan strategy for the National Broadband Network "in the national interest".
Source: iTWire
Netflix's Aussie Launch Last Year Was Actually Too Good
Netflix’s shares are plunging on Wall Street at the moment, on the back of some subdued company guidance. Netflix isn’t forecasting the same tremendous subscriber growth that it saw last year, and there’s one big reason why — its Aussie launch in March last year added a huge number of customers at once, and that kind of growth can’t continue forever.
Source: Gizmodo
auDA to introduce .au direct registrations
Following recommendations from the names policy panel, the .au Domain Administration has given the green light to allow Australian businesses and individuals to directly register domains such as domainname.au.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Music studios file against ISPs for piracy website blocking
Telstra, Optus, iiNet, Virgin, Foxtel, and others are being sought by several music studios to block piracy websites through the Federal Court.
Source: ZDNet Australia
'Abandon FTTN for FTTdp': Internet Australia Calls For NBN Rethink
Lobby group Internet Australia is calling for a rethink and urging the Government and the Opposition to “put politics aside and agree on a bipartisan NBN strategy”.
Source: Gizmodo
Mon, 18th Apr 2016
NBN clocks up more than AU$44m in new copper
NBN's actual spend on replacing copper between the node and pillar has been AU$30 million more so far than the cost estimated in October.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Strained Streaming: Why is streaming catch up video in Australia so painful?
No HD, no central portal, logins and awful flash streamers. In the age of Netflix, Stan and Hulu, why are Australian media companies still struggling with online?
Source: PC Authority
Telstra Is Once Again Supporting Marriage Equality
Last week Telstra announced that it would be taking a “neutral stance” on marriage equality — a position in stark contrast to its history of supporting the LGBIT+ community.
Source: Gizmodo
nbn network connected SMBs set to boost Australia’s economy
Small and medium businesses are set to contribute an additional $4 billion to the Australian GDP each year following completion of the nbn network rollout.
Source: ARN
Vocus signs on for Telstra fixed-line, Optus mobile services
Dodo, iPrimus, and Commander will provide customers with fixed-line services courtesy of Telstra and mobile services across the Optus network for an undisclosed amount.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Optus Wholesale inks mobile deal with Vocus Communications
Wholesale mobile provider, Optus Wholesale, has signed an exclusive three-year mobile agreement with Vocus Communications (ASX:VOC). The 36 month agreement is an extension of an 11-year relationship with M2 Group, which merged with Vocus in February this year.
Source: ARN
Fri, 15th Apr 2016
TPG wins multi-million dollar deal with I-MED Network
Telco and broadband provider TPG has signed a multi-million dollar agreement to deliver a dedicated high speed network connecting all locations across Australia for the country’s largest medical imaging clinic group, I-MED Network.
Source: iTWire
Stan Adds Support For 4K TV And Movie Streaming
4K TVs are selling like hotcakes in Australia, but we’re still somewhat starved of good Ultra HD content to show on them. Until 4K Blu-ray launches locally in a few weeks, your only real choice is the top-tier Netflix package. But Netflix’s strongest rival, Stan, has just switched on behind-the-scenes support for 4K TV and movies through its partnership with Brightcove.
Source: Gizmodo
No action on SubPartners' third fibre optic cable plan for Tasmania
Negotiations to build a third fibre-optic cable connecting Tasmania to the mainland stall after delays by IT company SubPartners.
Source: ABC News
Thu, 14th Apr 2016
Telstra losing its Thodey-mojo to reawaken old memories
Since the start of this decade, Telstra managed to do away with many of the gripes against it, but in 2016 the company has returned to something more like its former self.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telstra CEO says telco still supports marriage equality
Telstra chief executive Andrew Penn has attempted to downplay yesterday’s controversy by reinforcing the company’s support for marriage equality.
Source: CRN
Wed, 13th Apr 2016
Telstra's CEO Tells Staff Its Marriage Equality Stance 'Will Be Disappointing To Some People'
Telstra CEO Andy Penn has taken to the company’s internal message board to tell employees that while he understands its move away from explicit support for marriage equality in Australia may be “disappointing”, he and Telstra management believe that it’s now up to government to decide the matter.
Source: Gizmodo
Tue, 12th Apr 2016
Small ISPs doing nothing about data retention compliance: Comms Alliance
The risk of bankruptcy is preventing smaller ISPs from meeting their data retention compliance obligations, the Communications Alliance has said.
Source: ZDNet Australia
First nbn FTTN area to go live in W.A.
The National Broadband Network has marked a new milestone with the first FTTN area in Western Australia set to go live from Friday this week in the Perth suburbs of Cannington, Wilson, Langford and Beckenham.
Source: iTWire
SBS rolls out new anti-ad blocking technology
Hot on the heels of Network 10 implementing a solution to defeat ad blockers, SBS TV has also now started rolling out new anti-ad blocking technology from Switch Media across its On Demand services including the network website, iOS and Android apps.
Source: iTWire