Broadband News
Thu, 22nd Oct 2015
Regional telco review calls for expanded NBN wholesale offerings
The government should back the development by NBN of carrier-to-carrier wholesale products that could help provide better communications infrastructure to regional Australia, a government-commissioned report has argued.
Source: Computerworld
Presto content to diversify as ACCC approves Ten-Foxtel deal
Both industry regulators have approved the Ten-Foxtel deal, giving Ten the option to take a 10 percent stake in streaming service Presto.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Five gigabits per second over copper achieved in lab trials
Engineers claim to have achieved multi-gigabit per second speeds using standard copper wiring, using an experimental new technology called XG.FAST.
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN Co Pulls Up To 970Mbps From Copper Cables, But There's A Huge Catch
We all know that the new plan for the National Broadband Network involves delivering connectivity over copper for the so-called last mile, that’s just something we have to live with. NBN Co is trying to make that all a little easier on us by revealing results from an early trial of G.Fast technology to supercharge copper lines. NBN Co achieved 970Mbps over G.Fast copper, but there’s a massive catch: the cable was 20 metres long.
Source: Gizmodo
Optus signs three-year sponsorship agreement with Cricket Australia
Optus has inked a three-year sponsorship deal with Cricket Australia that enlists the telco as its official mobile multimedia partner.
Source: ARN
NBN eyes 2017 launch for G.fast services
NBN is aiming to potentially bring G.fast-based services to market in 2017, the company's chief architect, Tony Cross, has revealed.
Source: Computerworld
Wed, 21st Oct 2015
Yes of course the NBN is buying copper, but so what?
If you're whinging about Australia's national broadband network operator buying new copper cables, then you're part of the problem. Copper is not the issue. Transparency is.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN FttdP only available for premises 1km from node
NBN's CEO has revealed that only premises that are more than 1km from the node and unable to reach speeds of 25Mbps using FttN will be connected to FttdP.
Source: ZDNet Australia
BT attains 5Gbps over next-gen G.fast
BT is claiming it has achieved trial speeds of 5Gbps over G.fast fibre-to-the-node technology, which it says is faster than most FttP broadband connections.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Vodafone decries lack of competition: digital future threatened
Vodafone is calling for urgent telco reform to increase coverage and choice lest Australia risk ‘missing out of the full benefits of the technological revolution.’
Source: iTWire
Telstra and Kogan trade blows over telco
Kogan and Telstra are trading barbs over the insolvency of Telstra wholesaler ispONE and the subsequent demise of Kogan Mobile services.
Source: CRN
Sydney to Brisbane and back: NBN has 1,800km of copper to last five months
NBN has admitted that it is planning to spend AU$14 million acquiring copper to be used in its so-called multi-technology mix network rollout.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN announces G.fast FttB trial with 800Mbps speeds
NBN has been trialling G.fast technology on Australia's high-speed broadband network, attaining speeds of up to 800Mbps, with commercial services to launch in 2017.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Tue, 20th Oct 2015
NBN replacing copper between node and pillar
NBN's CEO has admitted that while copper lines between the node and the home will not be replaced, the company will need to add or replace copper between the node and the pillar.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN Co buys 1800 kilometres of copper to make Malcolm Turnbull's fibre-to-the-node network work
The company building Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's version of the national broadband network has purchased 1800 kilometres of copper cable — enough to link the Sunshine Coast to Melbourne — at a cost of $14 million.
Source: SMH
Telstra Wi-Fi 4G Advanced III: Australian Review
Since it launched a year ago, Telstra’s 4GX network has been getting a lot faster. First, Telstra switched on carrier aggregation, which tied two frequency bands together and tripled download speeds. Then, it upgraded its carrier aggregation to three frequency bands, and tripled those data speeds. Telstra’s Wi-Fi 4G Advanced III is the first device that takes full advantage of the company’s latest fastest Category 11 mobile data network, and it promises 600Mbps download speeds. Step aside, NBN. This is how you get the fastest ‘net connection in Australia, right now.
Source: Gizmodo
Mon, 19th Oct 2015
Germany moves closer to data retention
Germany's lower house has signed off on an updated data-retention Bill, with customer data to be stored for 10 weeks by telcos and ISPs, accessible by a warrant.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Kogan Mobile Is Back, Here's The Full Pricing
After 120,000 customers were left in the lurch by Kogan Mobile the last time it was operating, the Ruslan Kogan-owned MVNO is trying its luck once again. That’s right: Kogan Mobile is back, this time powered by Vodafone.
Source: Gizmodo
Kogan Mobile makes a comeback with Vodafone
Kogan re-entered the telco arena through teaming up with Vodafone to provide mobile services in the Australian market.
Source: ARN
Coles joins prepaid mobile market
Supermarket giant Coles is offering prepaid mobile plans in conjunction with Optus.
Source: iTWire
Kogan and Vodafone to launch new MVNO at 11am today?
Ruslan Kogan and Vodafone are making an announcement at 11am today, dubbed to ‘significantly benefit Australian consumers.’
Source: iTWire
Fri, 16th Oct 2015
NBN reveals HFC rollout areas
NBN has provided a detailed breakdown of which areas wiill get which of the network's multi-technology mix products over the next three years in a new construction plan.
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN promises 9.5 million connections by 2018 in new plan
A 3-year plan released today by the nbn company has forecast for the first time, the likely technology to be used and when the rollout will reach each area.
Source: iTWire
Telstra's TV Streaming Box Is Out Next Week For $109
Looking for one device to sit in your home entertainment unit, sending catch-up TV and streaming video on demand straight to your telly? Telstra’s competitor to the Apple TV will be out at the start of next week, and you’ll pay $109 for the privilege of watching Presto, Netflix, Stan and other Australian catch-up television services — as well as any downloaded movies or TV shows you might have on a hard drive or your home network — on your big screen TV.
Source: Gizmodo
NBN plans to wire 9.5 million buildings by 2019
The national broadband network wants to start or complete internet upgrades for 9.5 million homes and businesses across Australia by the end of 2018 in a move that could force a future Labor government to complete the Coalition's version.
Source: SMH
Thu, 15th Oct 2015
NBN: 'supercharged' copper needs no replacing for FttN
NBN's usage of the legacy copper network has been successful to date, with consumers able to get high speeds while utilising the widely panned fibre-to-the-node network.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Melbourne’s city loop trains get mobile coverage
Melbourne rail operators and Optus today switched on a new 3G and 4G network extension intended to fix the underground coverage blackspot frustrating the city’s commuters.
Source: iTnews Australia
Optus launches new entertainment plan built for Netflix
Telecommunications vendor, Optus, is satisfying increased appetites for entertainment with a new entertainment plan built for Netflix, which includes a bonus six-month Netflix gift subscription offer for Aussies.
Source: ARN
How To Get Around Australia's Data Retention Scheme: Everything You Need To Know
Can you feel it? Your data…it’s being retained right now. Greens Senator Scott Ludlam gave us all some great advice on what is being tracked by the Government’s new metadata retention scheme, as well as a few basic ways to get around the legislation. This is the master class in dodging data retention from Pirate Party Australia members. Here’s how to get around metadata retention using everything from encrypted calls and messaging services on mobile and desktop platforms, using Tor and keeping your email safe.
Source: Gizmodo
Turnbull highlights power of internet at terrorism summit
PM Malcolm Turnbull highlights the power and challenge of the internet and emerging technologies as security agencies meet in Canberra to discuss Australia's growing terror threat.
Source: ABC News