Broadband News
Fri, 19th Feb 2016
Telstra adds IoT support to 4G network
Telstra today announced that it has enabled support for Category 1 devices on its LTE network. Cat 1 LTE is intended for connecting devices that are part of the so-called ‘Internet of Things’.
Source: Computerworld
Optus and Huawei trial 4.5G technology
Telecommunications company, Optus, and ICT solutions provider, Huawei, are conducting a live trial of 4.5G technology, which has thus far resulted in download speeds of download speeds of between 1.23Gbps and 1.41Gbps, with theoretical maximum speeds reaching 1.43Gbps.
Source: ARN
Thu, 18th Feb 2016
Foxtel moves to block piracy websites
Rights holders are finally moving to leverage the piracy site-blocking legislation passed by the Australian government last year.
Source: ZDNet Australia
ISPs blindsided by 'shelved' Australian piracy code
Australia's internet service providers have been blindsided by claims from Village Roadshow that a draft industry code for copyright infringement has been ditched after the cost of operating the scheme was found to be too high.
Source: iTnews Australia
Report: Copyright Owners Abandon Australian 'Three Strikes' Piracy Code
Copyright content owners have been pushing for an industry code that would require Australian Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to send warning notices to subscribers suspected of illegal downloading. This code has now been canned, according to a report. The reason? It would cost too much to implement. Here’s what you need to know.
Source: Gizmodo
ISPs to have coordinated response to website blocking
Internet service providers that will be affected by prospective Federal Court injunctions ordering them to block subscriber access to specified piracy-linked websites are moving to ensure the process is as streamlined as possible.
Source: Computerworld
A strong 6 months sees Telstra keep mobile competitors at bay
Telstra’s profits are up, mobile revenues and mobile customers have increased, fixed line business has declined and the big telco is rewarding shareholders with an interim dividend of 15.5 cents for the first half year of the 2016 financial year.
Source: iTWire
Telstra's figures grow in first half of FY16
Telstra is on track to meet its full year guidance after reporting a net profit increase of 0.8 per cent to $2.1 billion and EBITDA increase of 1.7 per cent to $5.4 billion for the first six months of FY16, ending December 31.
Source: ARN
Village Roadshow, Hollywood studios move to block piracy website SolarMovie
Village Roadshow will lead an action in the Australian Federal Court backed by Hollywood studios to have internet service providers block a piracy website which facilitates the free streaming of movies and television shows such as Star Wars and The Walking Dead.
Source: SMH
Wed, 17th Feb 2016
NBN talks up ‘game-changing moment’ for HFC
NBN chief technology officer Dennis Steiger has hailed as a “game-changing moment” an announcement from CableLabs that it has proved the viability of full duplex communication over hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) connections using the DOCSIS 3.1 standard.
Source: Computerworld
NBN hails 'game-changing' DOCSIS 3.1 gigabit speeds on HFC
NBN has said that new technology allowing for the utilisation of DOCSIS 3.1 brings HFC alongside FttP in terms of broadband speeds available to users.
Source: ZDNet Australia
TPG sources alternative cable ship for PPC-1 repair
TPG has sourced a cable ship to undertake the repair of PPC-1, the underwater cable that stretches from Sydney and Guam and is operated by the telco’s subsidiary Pipe.
Source: Computerworld
Infrastructure Australia calls for full benefits of NBN but skirts technology choices
In its over 200-page report, Infrastructure Australia lauded the benefits of broadband, but failed to state the obvious fact that the days of fibre to the node are already limited.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Work underway to get rid of mobile blackspots
Moves are afoot to rid regional and remote Australia of mobile blackspots where mobile phone users suffer inadequate, spasmodic or little or no network coverage.
Source: iTWire
Split up and sell off the NBN: Infrastructure Australia
The Turnbull government should split up the National Broadband Network and start preparing to sell it off to private companies, according to a landmark infrastructure plan.
Source: SMH
Infrastructure Australia plan backs NBN split up, USO reform
The Australian Infrastructure Plan endorses the eventual break up of NBN into separate business units as part of the process of privatising it.
Source: Computerworld
Metro fibre race on: TPG reaches almost 1000 buildings
Internet service provider TPG has activated 995 buildings across the country with fibre, according to information sent out to resellers early this month.
Source: CRN
Tue, 16th Feb 2016
Slow speeds, poor performance levels plague broadband services
Broadband services are letting down consumers with slow speeds and poor performance levels and the problem is compounded by a lack of reliable information on broadband quality and consumer expectations when choosing a plan.
Source: iTWire
Consumers let down by broadband speed and performance: ACCAN
Broadband speeds and performance are leaving consumers disappointed with their services, according to a recent survey from the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN).
Source: ARN
Telstra reseller Lycamobile in hot water with watchdog
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has alleged Telstra 3G mobile reseller Lycamobile of failing to provide adequate complaints-handling.
Source: CRN
Mon, 15th Feb 2016
Cabinet reshuffle adds rural communications and 'digital transformation'
The two new portfolios emphasise the Australian government's focus on communications in rural areas and digital innovation.
Source: ZDNet Australia
1,841 Terabytes Of Data Downloaded On Telstra's Free Data Day
After Telstra’s 3G and 4G networks went down last week, compensation was offered in the form of a free day of data. So exactly how much free data can you use in a day? It seems some were on a mission to find out.
Source: Gizmodo
Telstra customers double downloads on free data day
Telstra’s network saw twice as much traffic as it would normally during the telco's ‘free data’ day on Sunday.
Source: Computerworld
Fri, 12th Feb 2016
Revenues up, profits up as Optus continues network expansion
Optus says it has made significant progress building an even better network for customers as it announced that operating revenue was up 6% to A$2.43 billion for the three months to the end of December.
Source: iTWire
Virgin Will Give You 12GB Of Data For $50 A Month
The race for your mobile data dollars is hotting up. If you don’t mind the Optus network that it’s hosted on, Virgin Mobile will give new and upgrading customers a total of 12GB of 4G-friendly data per month for $50, with no fine print or finicky eligibility periods.
Source: Gizmodo
Kogan Mobile unveils $9 unlimited plan
Australian online retailer Kogan Mobile has heavily discounted its unlimited plans, revealing $8.95 and $10.95 monthly deals.
Source: CRN
Optus delivers a quarter of revenue, EBITDA and profit growth
Optus has reported a nine per cent increase in quarterly net profit, for the quarter ending December 31, 2015. The company’s EBITDA was up five per cent to $685 million, while its revenue was up six per cent to $2.43 billion.
Source: ARN
Thu, 11th Feb 2016
What the Dallas Buyers Club ruling means for piracy in Australia
The DBC resolution appears to cement the Federal Court's methodology in calculating damages for online copyright infringers, but how will this be affected by the three-strikes code and the TPP rules?
Source: ZDNet Australia
Tasmanian council seeks refund on 'underwhelming and exorbitant' NBN FttP estimate
Meander Valley Council is looking to get back the AU$11,000 NBN charged to provide a cost estimate to upgrade two areas to fibre-to-the-premises technology.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Quickflix asks Stan to restructure AU$11.7m 'debt'
The board of Quickflix has said it will not be able to attract further investors or fund redemption of its RPS without rival Stan agreeing to restructure the shares.
Source: ZDNet Australia