Broadband News
Tue, 13th Oct 2015
Telstra: We could be the only Australian telco with an approved data retention plan
In its annual general meeting held today, Telstra revealed that it has received approval for its data retention plans.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Australia's data retention goes live, but ISPs say they're still in the dark
Australia's telecommunications providers will from today be required to store the non-content data of all customers for up to two years, but many claim to be unsure whether they have been granted an exemption.
Source: iTnews Australia
The Ultimate Guide To Avoiding Australia's Data Retention Scheme
Happy Data Retention day! Greens Senator Scott Ludlam gave us all some great advice on what is being tracked by the Government’s 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
Telcos not ready, don't understand data retention: Comms Alliance
Almost 40 percent of telcos don't understand data retention, while 84 percent will not be compliant by the implementation date, according to a survey by Comms Alliance.
Source: ZDNet Australia
VIDEO Interview: MyNetFone CEO talks plans, VoIP, NBN, mergers and more
While MyNetFone’s business and residential VoIP service makes it Australia 5th largest voice provider, the company’s ISP plan for renters has seen impressive sales since launching.
Source: iTWire
Majority of ISPs not ready to start collecting metadata
The vast majority of Australian internet service providers are not ready to start collecting and storing metadata as required under the country's data retention laws which come into effect today.
Source: ABC News
Metadata retention changes explained
Starting on Tuesday, October 13, Australian telcos such as Telstra and Optus are required to start storing metadata logs pertaining to people's email, internet, mobile and landline use for up to two years.
Source: SMH
Mon, 12th Oct 2015
DBC pushing for 472 account details to trial piracy notices
Dallas Buyers Club LLC wants a federal court judge to release the account details of around 10 percent of the 4726 alleged pirates identified in its legal fight with iiNet so it can test out its notification process.
Source: iTnews Australia
WikiLeaks: ISPs to hand over copyright infringer details under TPP
The TPP will force ISPs to give up the details of customers who allegedly infringe copyright and allow rights holders to seek both compensatory and punitive damages as well as loss of profit, according to WikiLeaks.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Turnbull's mutual respect campaign to kick off with taking away privacy
Try as they might to secure the new honeypots of personal data being created, there will be breaches, and your data will appear online eventually.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Last minute call on Data Retention Act from Internet Australia
On the eve of the Data Retention Act coming into effect, Internet Australia has renewed calls on the federal government for the act to be reviewed and again reiterated that security issues and the costs for ISPs still need to be ironed out.
Source: iTWire
The numbers are in and not looking good for Foxtel
To paraphrase former Prime Minister twice removed Julia Gillard, the the science is in and the death of cable TV is real. What’s more, equally real is the market disrupting surge into the mainstream of streaming video on demand (SVOD).
Source: iTWire
Fri, 09th Oct 2015
NBN complaints up 70 percent for the year
While overall telco complaints were down 10.5 percent, consumer complaints about NBN services skyrocketed by almost 70 percent.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Optus, iiNet, M2 skyrocket in TIO complaint numbers
Consumer complaints to the Telecommunications Ombudsman about Optus were up by over 30 percent, while iiNet's numbers were up by 26 percent, and M2's by almost 75 percent.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telco complaints fall but still “huge”
Australians made more than 124,000 complaints about their mobile, internet and landline services last financial year with NBN one of the worst offenders.
Source: The Australian
ACCC slashes Telstra’s fixed line services charges
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released its final decision on the prices other operators have to pay to use Telstra’s (ASX:TLS) copper network in providing telecommunications services to consumers.
Source: ARN
ACCC overrules Prime Minister Turnbull to cut Telstra phone, internet prices
Telstra is considering its legal options after the competition regulator ordered the telecommunications giant to slash its wholesale network prices by 9.4 per cent in an effort to make phone and internet services cheaper.
Source: SMH
Thu, 08th Oct 2015
Draft legislation for GST on digital purchases unveiled
The Australian government will begin taxing ebooks, streaming services, apps, games, and music downloads should its legislation pass Parliament.
Source: ZDNet Australia
ACMA directs telcos to comply with industry code
The telco industry regulator in Australia has given six telcos directions to comply with the Telecommunications Protection Code.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Amended 'Netflix Tax' Released
Not just focused on streaming providers, the exposure draft of the bill covers GST on digital goods and services sold by overseas vendors in Australia. Netflix will be paying up of course, but so will sellers of e-books, music, apps and other downloaded purchases.
Source: Gizmodo
Superloop spends $5.8 million on ApexNetworks
ASX-listed dark fibre infrastructure provider, Superloop, has acquired Brisbane-based network solutions and services provider, ApexNetworks (ApexN) for $5.8 million.
Source: ARN
Wed, 07th Oct 2015
Has Video Streaming Spiked Our Internet Traffic By 40 Per Cent?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released their latest internet data figures and downloads way up compared to last year, or even 6 months ago. Should we blame Netflix? Their official arrival down-under in March likely made a big contribution, but of course they are not the only player in the streaming game.
Source: Gizmodo
Telstra's retail boss to step down
Telstra’s retail group executive Gordon Ballantyne will leave the company in December.
Source: CRN
Tue, 06th Oct 2015
TPP to 'reflect' notification regime for copyright infringement
The TPP will seek to protect intellectual property by encouraging member states to enact notification regimes and create legal frameworks for enforcement, along with fair use provisions.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Game on: digital games to pass $100B pa by 2020
PCs will power 8% annual growth in video games, seeing the digital games industry going from $80B in 2015 to $104B by end 2018.
Source: iTWire
Telstra pushes LANES to emergency services, enterprises
Telstra is continuing its drive to get emergency services agencies using its dedicated LANES service for their mobile communications, partnering with Ambulance Victoria for the AFL grand final on Saturday.
Source: iTnews Australia
Optus reseller Yatango Mobile Australia hits the wall
Optus reseller Yatango Mobile Australia has gone into administration less than two months after a reverse-listing attempt by Yatango Pty Ltd failed.
Source: CRN
TPP moves toward killing off government-mandated data sovereignty
Government mandates forcing companies to store its data in local datacentres will be a thing of the past under the terms of the TPP among the 12 countries involved.
Source: ZDNet Australia
The importance of building trust to guarantee Australia’s cyber-secure future
The increasing digitisation of the Australian economy promises exponential economic growth opportunities and societal advances for our nations, with investments like the NBN dramatically enhancing our working environment and living standards.
Source: Computerworld
Sun, 04th Oct 2015
Telstra To Demo LTE-B Service And Devices At The NRL Grand Final
With this year’s NRL Grand Final, Telstra’s taking the opportunity to once again showcase LTE-Broadcast — or LTE-B, if you want to use fewer letters. If you happen to be invited inside the company’s “Connected Lounge” at ANZ Stadium, you’ll have a chance to check it out.
Source: Gizmodo