Broadband News

Thu, 17th Sep 2015

Senate demands release of NBN FTTP analysis

The Senate has backed a motion from Labor's Steven Conroy demanding that NBN release a number of documents including an analysis of the cost of an all-fibre rollout of the National Broadband Network.

Source: Computerworld

Don't expect an NBN backflip under Prime Minister Turnbull

We're still waiting for a new Communications Minister, but don't expect Turnbull's ousting of Abbott to put an all-fibre NBN back on the table.

Source: SMH

Wed, 16th Sep 2015

Telstra begins rolling out the next-generation of 4G services

Telstra announced today that it had progressively begin enabling voice over LTE (VoLTE) across its network.

Source: Computerworld

Telstra announces super-fast mobile broadband world first

A new mobile device announced by Telstra on Wednesday will theoretically deliver download speeds of up to 600 megabits per second in select areas - up to six times faster than what the Turnbull government's fibre-to-the-node network will be able to deliver under its current design.

Source: SMH

Telstra claims Aussie first with 4G voice calls

Telstra has claimed an Australian-first with Voice over LTE, an offering that allows mobile users to remain on the 4G network during voice calls.

Source: CRN

NBN CEO wants to boost RSP choice for end users

NBN CEO Bill Morrow today said the company wants to look at ways of making it easier for retail service providers to sell services on the National Broadband Network.

Source: Computerworld

Turnbull as PM may ‘recalibrate NBN’ with shift to FttP: Ovum

Telecoms research group Ovum’s principal government technology analyst believes that Malcolm Turnbull’s appointment as Australia’s Prime Minister will see a change in the fortunes of the NBN, including a faster rollout and shift back towards FttP.

Source: iTWire

What now for the NBN under a Malcolm Turnbull government?

Now that Malcolm Turnbull has been sworn in as prime minister, the choice of a replacement Communications Minister is critically important, especially for the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: SMH

Tue, 15th Sep 2015

Optus upgrades wholesale fibre network across Australia to 100Gbps

The telco has upgraded its cross-continent network with Alcatel-Lucent wavelength technology to provide capacity of up to 100Gbps to wholesale customers.

Source: ZDNet Australia

‘Fast track’ the NBN, Internet Australia tells Turnbull

Internet Australia has called on incoming Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to fast track construction of the National Broadband Network, claiming the Abbott Government failed to understand the importance of the Internet.

Source: iTWire

Jim's Mowing becomes a telco

Jim's Group, the parent conglomerate of the famous Jim's Mowing franchise network, will start Jim's Mobile Phones with Inabox as its wholesale supplier.

Source: CRN

Internet Australia, AIIA call for Turnbull to accelerate NBN rollout

Internet Australia has called on prime minister-designate Malcolm Turnbull to "fast-track" construction of the National Broadband Network.

Source: Computerworld

TPG overtakes iiNet on Netflix broadband leaderboard

TPG delivered the fastest average broadband speeds to Australian Netflix subscribers in August.

Source: Computerworld

Mon, 14th Sep 2015

Does your DSL modem share the blame for your broadband woes?

A crappy copper phone line might not be the only reason why your broadband runs like it's filtered through a dead dog.

Source: SMH

Presto ownership under question as ACCC considers Foxtel-Ten deal

The Australian consumer watchdog is considering allowing Ten to take part ownership of streaming service Presto, with Foxtel owning a chunk of Ten, which could reduce competition for traditional TV but arguably increase it in the streaming sector.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Malcolm Turnbull Resigns As Communications Minister

Wanted: new Federal Communications Minister. That’s right. Malcolm Turnbull has just resigned his position as Communications Minister in a bid to seize the Prime Ministership from Tony Abbott.

Source: Gizmodo

'I don't recall': NBN chief Bill Morrow feels Senate heat over Vodafone journalist spying incident

NBN chief executive and former Vodafone Hutchison Australia chief executive Bill Morrow says he cannot recall the details of a case in which Vodafone Australia accessed the phone call and text messages of a Fairfax Media journalist to try to discover her sources.

Source: SMH

These are the muddy and broken copper phone lines that NBN Co is buying from Telstra

It is taking Telstra overall longer to repair phone lines damaged during extreme weather than previous years, leaving some consumers and businesses without service and ineligible for compensation.

Source: SMH

Vodafone employee accessed reporter's phone records

An investigative journalist is "absolutely outraged" after her phone records were accessed by a Vodafone employee.

Source: ARN

ACMA’s 1800MHz November 2015 auction: applications open

ACMA’s auction of spectrum licenses in the 1800MHz band is due November, with 147 lots of spectrum ‘to be offered simultaneously using an online auction methodology.’

Source: iTWire

Collapsed ISP's directors live on with new wireless company

Directors of ISP Zennet have continued trading a new business, Z1 Wholesale, two months after the former company was liquidated.

Source: CRN

Fri, 11th Sep 2015

Telcos invited to apply for spot in 1800MHz spectrum auction

The communications regulator has opened applications for participation in the country's auction of 1800MHz spectrum in regional areas, releasing details of the starting prices for all lots to go on sale.

Source: iTnews Australia

Comms Alliance not sold on ACCC broadband monitoring

An Australian broadband performance monitoring regime should be subject to a "rigorous" cost-benefit analysis before implementation, according to telco industry body Communications Alliance.

Source: Computerworld

The ACCC Is Keeping An Eye On Your Crappy ISP

Have you ever had to rely on hearsay and obscure internet forums when deciding what ISP is going to offer the best quality service? Australia’s biggest companies currently sell their plans competitively based on price, but until now there has been no way to measure the comparative quality each company can offer.

Source: Gizmodo

ALDIMobile revamps pre-paid voice and data lineup

Competition in the pre-paid MVNO space is hotting up with Aldi offering much better value plans in the battle for the pre-paid profit dollar.

Source: iTWire

Thu, 10th Sep 2015

ACMA updates spectrum outline as mobile broadband usage increases

The government's communications authority has released two new reports on the state of spectrum in Australia in the face of new technologies and increased usage.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telcos warned by ACMA on code compliance

The Australian telecommunications industry regulator has formally warned 24 telcos for breaching the Telecommunications Protection Code.

Source: ZDNet Australia

iiNet delists from the ASX

Perth-based telecommunications provider, iiNet (ASX:IIN), will de-list from the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) on September 11 following the takeover of the company by TPG.

Source: ARN

Wed, 09th Sep 2015

MyNetFone CEO sees opportunity in NBN shortfalls

The CEO of the VoIP provider is looking at the NBN's shortcomings as an opportunity for his own company to provide SMBs and consumers with more advanced telecommunications services.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Coalition NBN keeps crawling on past homes

Another week and Australia has been given another weekly NBN progress report courtesy of nbn. The pace, however, may leave more than a few wondering whether they will ever get access to a quality broadband service anytime soon - maybe not even before 2025.

Source: iTWire