Broadband News
Fri, 22nd Jan 2016
Issues with Coalition NBN costs (2013): EXCLUSIVE
The following article was penned by former ABC Technology Editor Nick Ross in the lead up to the 2013 Federal Election. The article was held back from publication by the ABC ostensibly due to political pressure – the background to this can be read here.
Source: iTWire
US Netflix Is Being Blocked In Australia: What Can You Do About It?
Ever since Netflix went global, the streaming giant has been promising to crack down on customers who use virtual private networks (VPNs) to access its larger US catalogue. For Australians, it appears that fateful day has arrived. Over the past few hours, there have been multiple reports of VPN users being blocked from the US version of the service. If you’re on a VPN, here’s what you need to know.
Source: Gizmodo
Thu, 21st Jan 2016
Netflix starts blocking Australian customers from US catalogue
Netflix has already begun locking out some Australian customers who circumvent its geographical blocks to access content from overseas catalogues, just days after it announced a crackdown on the practice.
Source: SMH
ZTE thanks 4G infrastructure for 100b yuan revenue
Chinese smartphone manufacturer ZTE has attributed its record growth in 2015 to 4G infrastructure, government contracts, and interest rate cuts from the Central Bank of China.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Govt makes $128.4 million available for data retention compliance
Telecommunications service providers have until late February to apply for grants to assist them in meeting their data retention obligations under new laws which came into effect in October last year.
Source: iTWire
EFA lambasts A-G over ‘war of attrition’ with Information Commissioner
Digital freedoms and rights group, Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA), has called on the Attorney-General – George Brandis - to cease what it says is his “absurd war of attrition” with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
Source: iTWire
Telstra trials optical encryption on inter-city fibre
Telstra in partnership with Ericsson has deployed a new optical encryption offering from Ciena on the telco’s Melbourne-Canberra-Sydney route.
Source: Computerworld
Wed, 20th Jan 2016
Turnbull announces annual Australia-US Cyber Security Dialogue
The federal government has announced an annual Australia-US Cyber Security Dialogue for the two countries to work together in tackling cybercrime.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Tue, 19th Jan 2016
RSPCA claims metadata 'critical' to tackling animal cruelty
The Victorian arm of animal welfare organisation RSPCA has defended its request for access to the country's telco metadata troves, claiming access to the records is a critical tool in animal cruelty investigations.
Source: iTnews Australia
AGD stops Australia Post going cyber-Clouseau
Australia Post's rejected application for warrantless access to our stored telco data highlights the need for some consistency of standards -- and perhaps a new agency.
Source: ZDNet Australia
No agencies temporarily allowed to access telecommunications metadata: AGD
Despite 61 agencies seeking access to the telecommunications metadata of all Australian residents, no additions have been added to the list, the Attorney-General's Department has said.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telstra upgrades King Island transmission to improve internet services
Telstra is set to complete a major upgrade of the King Island transmission between the island and Tasmania that provides the landline phones, internet and 3G mobile services.
Source: iTWire
Data retention: EFA calls for govt to reject orgs seeking ‘metadata’ access
Civil liberties advocacy group Electronic Frontiers Australia has called on Attorney-General George Brandis to reject the majority of the organisations that have sought ongoing authorisation to access telecommunications data without a warrant.
Source: Computerworld
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