Broadband News
Mon, 18th Jan 2016
61 agencies after warrantless access to Australian telecommunications metadata
Australia Post, the RSPCA of Victoria, and the Victorian Taxi Services Commission are among 61 agencies in Australia seeking warrantless access to metadata stored by telcos.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN trials HFC construction in 17 suburbs
NBN has revealed the 17 suburbs where Optus and Telstra have begun hybrid fibre-coaxial construction trials, ahead of a March product release.
Source: iTnews Australia
Sixty-one agencies want access to Aussie metadata
The federal government has disclosed the names of 57 agencies that are pushing to access the data collected on Australian citizens through the government's data retention regime.
Source: iTnews Australia
Netflix Won't Crack Down On Aussie VPN Users
Netflix’s geoblocking crackdown is “doomed to fail”. That’s the word from Adam Turner at the SMH, who says that the streaming giant would be mad to even make a serious effort to restrict its users to only the region they signed up in or are currently located within geographically.
Source: Gizmodo
ACCC Slaps Exetel For Misleading Its ADSL Customers
Exetel is one of Australia’s leaner ISPs, with a long history of providing low-cost ADSL internet services to users that don’t require the full-service customer support of providers like Telstra or iiNet. It’s also had a history of telling its less profitable customers to leave and find another Internet service provider — and this tactic doesn’t always sit well with Australia’s consumer watchdog. According to the ACCC, Exetel told some of its fixed-term ADSL customers in mid-2015 that they would have to move a different plan or have their service terminated, breaching Australian consumer law.
Source: Gizmodo
Exetel to compensate consumers after ACCC concerns
Telco Exetel will compensate consumers affected by changes made to its fixed term residential broadband plans, after concerns were flagged by the ACCC.
Source: ARN
Telstra warns of potential for NBN ‘mission creep’
Telstra has indicated it is concerned about a government bill that would allow the communications minister to alter NBN’s line-of-business restrictions, which are intended to ensure it remains focussed on being open access, wholesale network provider.
Source: Computerworld
Fri, 15th Jan 2016
ABS digital stats review could reveal NBN risks
Australia’s national statistician may soon be able to offer the national network builder a deeper understanding of the potential revenue risks facing its business.
Source: iTnews Australia
Netflix to clamp down on geo-dodgers
In the coming weeks, Netflix plans to ensure that customers are only able to access the official library for the country they are currently in, not any overseas libraries they may attempt to access with technical tricks such as proxy servers and unblocking services.
Source: SMH
Thu, 14th Jan 2016
Megaport inks deal with Amsterdam Internet Exchange
Elastic connection services provider Megaport is expanding into North America and Europe thanks to signing a deal with an internet exchange in Amsterdam.
Source: ZDNet Australia
There Aint No Party Like A Netflix Party 'Cause A Netflix Party Is On Your Couch
Have you ever wanted to watch Netflix with someone in another city, or even another country? You totally can with Netflix Party. Excuse me while I prepare to socialise from my couch forever more.
Source: Gizmodo
Optus calls for changes to NBN bill
Optus has called for changes to be made to a government bill intended to implement a number of recommendations of the Vertigan review into the National Broadband Network.
Source: Computerworld
Wed, 13th Jan 2016
NBN exceeds FY16 activation targets
The national broadband builder is tracking well ahead of its service activation targets, seemingly defying concerns that a growing number of mobile-only households will undermine its business plan.
Source: iTnews Australia
Industry group certifies five new manufacturers of DOCSIS 3.1 modems
The new DOCSIS 3.1 cable Internet standard just moved a little bit closer to American homes today, with the news that industry research group CableLabs has certified five new manufacturers of DOCSIS 3.1 modems.
Source: Computerworld
Vendors of failed distributor PCRange find new home
Sydney-based First International Trading (FIT) has been appointed as the new Australian distributor for Billion Electric and AVM – the two major vendors of Adelaide-based PCRange, which fell into liquidation this week.
Source: CRN
Melbourne reseller builds private Nokia 4G network for mining client
Melbourne communications provider Challenge Networks has implemented a private LTE (4G) network for oil producer Beach Energy.
Source: CRN
Tue, 12th Jan 2016
Report backs commercial mobile broadband for emergency services
Tapping the private sector for mobile broadband capabilities that can be employed public safety agencies, such as police, fire, ambulance and other emergency services, is the “most efficient, effective and economical” option, according to a research report on the issue released today by the Productivity Commission.
Source: Computerworld
Distributor PCRange goes under
Adelaide-based networking distributor PCRange has entered into voluntary liquidation after being in business for the past 16 years.
Source: CRN
Open letter rejects government crackdown on encryption
More than 130 NGOs and advocacy organisations from around the world have signed an open letter calling on governments to reject policies that undermine the use and effectiveness of encryption.
Source: Computerworld
Mon, 11th Jan 2016
Government mulls expanded copyright safe harbour
Draft amendments to Australian copyright law unveiled late last year by the government would expand the ‘safe harbour’ scheme that limits the liability of Internet service providers for copyright infringement.
Source: Computerworld
Inabox lands major Telstra scalp as new CTO
Telco and IT provider Inabox has hired former Telstra executive Chris Ford as its chief technology officer.
Source: CRN
Concerns remain over data retention funding shortfall
Internet Australia has reiterated concerns over the gap between the expected cost to the telecommunications sector of implementing data retention and the government funding being made available to telcos and ISPs.
Source: Computerworld
Internet Explorer 8, 9 and 10 out of support this week
January 13 is the last day for business and individual users to move off older versions of the Internet Explorer web browser, before Microsoft pulls the plug on support including security patches.
Source: iTnews Australia
Thu, 07th Jan 2016
ISPs under cost pressure from ‘Internet tax’ due to Data Retention Act
Internet Australia has started 2016 much the same way it ended 2015, calling again for more money to be allocated by the federal government to properly compensate ISPs for complying with the new Data Retention Act – and again warning that providers will pass on extra costs to Internet users.
Source: iTWire
Govt reveals how it will divvy up data rentention implementation grants
Communications Minister Mitch Fifield and Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss have formally opened applications for a slice of $128.4 million the government has set aside to help telco providers comply with new data retention laws.
Source: iTnews Australia
ACMA to test if Australians really are more satisfied with telcos
Three years after reforming consumer protections for telco customers in Australia, the Australian Communications and Media Authority wants to find out what - if any - difference the reforms have made.
Source: iTnews Australia
You Can Now Watch Netflix Wherever You Travel (Except China)
Netflix have announced global expansion, as of right now. So if you’re planning a trip overseas, you can take your Netflix viewing with you.
Source: Gizmodo
Howzat! Optus picks up cricket sponsorship after Dick Smith clean bowled
Optus has stepped in to replace troubled electronics retailer Dick Smith as the Melbourne Stars’ Principal Partner and the Club’s Official Mobile Media Partner for the remainder of the Big Bash League (BBL) Twenty20 cricket season.
Source: iTWire
Telstra fires up mobile capacity for Victorian fire fighters
Telstra has temporarily boosted mobile telecommunications capacity in the Birregurra area of the Otway Ranges in Victoria to assist fire fighters working to contain fires.
Source: iTWire
Tue, 05th Jan 2016
NBN Responds To Claims FTTP is better value than FTTN
Research has revealed the longer term costs and savings of Fibre To The Premises when compared to Fibre To The Node, but NBN says a fast rollout is priority.
Source: Gizmodo