Broadband News

Thu, 05th Jun 2014

Armidale to pay for NBN fibre extension to airport

Armidale council has voted to spend up to AU$250,000 extending the fibre network in the town out to the airport and the new industrial land development using existing sewer trenches.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra builds monster mobile exchange

Telstra is building its biggest mobile exchange on wheels (MEOW) in response to a review of its emergency connectivity strategy in the wake of the 2012 fire at its Warrnambool exchange.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN Co "stabilising" the rollout process: Greg Adcock

NBN Co is letting Australians know earlier when the National Broadband Network is coming as it attempts to stabilise the troubled rollout.

Source: ARN

Optus fires first shot in data war

It was only ever going to be a matter of time before either Vodafone or Optus became sufficiently fed up with losing customers to Telstra that they would start a price-based war. And the battleground had to be data.

Source: SMH

ACCC agrees NBN speeds may be misleading

In response to a question from Stephen Conroy, the head of the ACCC Rod Sims has said in a Senate committee hearing that NBN Co's advertised speeds may be misleading.

Source: iTWire

Wed, 04th Jun 2014

Proposed NBN FttN products may be misleading: ACCC

NBN Co's proposal to retain the existing high-speed products for fibre to the node despite potential speed issues could be misleading, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN Co appoints new chief technology officer

NBN Co has appointed two new executives to its ranks, including a new chief technology officer, after showing three of its top executives the door two months ago.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN Co recruits ex-News Limited CFO

Former News Limited chief financial officer Stephen Rue will join NBN Co's executive team, the government-owned company rolling out the National Broadband Network announced this morning.

Source: Computerworld

Telstra to cut prices to take on Optus, says Credit Suisse analyst

Telstra will offer its mobile customers lower prices or extra data allowances as the company fights back against Optus, an analyst says.

Source: SMH

Tue, 03rd Jun 2014

Optus needs to boost customer numbers: SingTel

Despite acting CEO Paul O'Sullivan yesterday talking down Optus' customer numbers, parent company SingTel has told investors it is critical for Optus to regain market share.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Global $100m scam involving internet viruses shut down

A global hacker network, which used a sophisticated computer virus to steal more than $100 million, is dismantled.

Source: ABC News

Telstra responds to Optus data sharing plans

In a quick response to Optus, Telstra will today launch new mobile data sharing plans- but at this stage they are limited to businesses users.

Source: iTWire

Mon, 02nd Jun 2014

Optus revamps mobile plans to fight Telstra

Customer numbers have stalled, so Optus has released a major overhaul of its mobile plans in an attempt to differentiate itself.

Source: iTWire

Optus launches data sharing for up to five mobile devices

Optus has expanded its My Plan mobile repertoire with the introduction of mobile data sharing, new SIM-only plans, and revised bonus data fees.

Source: ARN

Huawei tests 10Gbps Wi-Fi prototype

Chinese technology giant Huawei has successfully trialled a Wi-Fi prototype that is 10 times faster than existing Wi-Fi capability commercially available today.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Fri, 30th May 2014

NBN Co mum on Telstra negotiations, copper costs

Negotiations with Telstra over a new National Broadband Network deal in light of the government ditching its predecessor's fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) rollout are "progressing" according to NBN Co - " but that's pretty much the extent of the information that the company charged with rolling out the NBN is willing to reveal publicly.

Source: Computerworld

NBN fibre-to-the-node trials delayed

A trial of fibre-to-the-node technology on the NSW Central Coast and Epping in Victoria has been delayed by issues in getting hold of Telstra's copper and securing adequate power.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN chief denies role in US disaster

The executive appointed to run the national broadband network will "vigorously defend" the actions he took while boss of an American gas company before two of its pipelines exploded and killed nine people.

Source: Computerworld

Thu, 29th May 2014

Telstra creates app development environment for TIPT solution

Telstra is giving its customers and third party developers the opportunity to create apps for its voice and video cloud, Telstra IP Telephony solution.

Source: ZDNet Australia

iiNet to build free Wi-Fi network for Canberra using Cisco hardware

The ACT Government has commissioned Internet services provider, iiNet, to build a free Wi-Fi network across 12 business districts in the nation's capital.

Source: ARN

Australian government considers graduated response to piracy

The Attorney-General's Department is actively considering a graduated response scheme to crack down on online copyright infringement, officials have confirmed.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra invests in NICTA

Telstra will invest in and work with NICTA on projects of 'mutual interest'. It has also announced relationships with a number of universities.

Source: iTWire

Wed, 28th May 2014

Telstra changes wholesale contracts

Telstra is shopping a new type of contract to wholesale customers that will come into full force in July.

Source: iTnews Australia

Turnbull backs Telstra's NICTA collaboration

Telstra is pursuing collaborative projects with a number of research institutes through which it aims to create solutions for network, security, and privacy.

Source: ARN

Telstra applies stickers, magnets for smarter customer support

Telstra has turned to a tech startup for a context-based, self-service support system currently being tested with 10,000 broadband subscribers.

Source: Computerworld

Paul O'Sullivan urged to make Optus relevant as Telstra dominates NBN, mobile

Despite the emphasis on its $835m profit in fiscal 2014, telecommunications provider, Optus, experienced a five per cent revenue drop and is being urged to "supercharge" its "challenger spirit" in the interests of competition in the Australian telecommunications industry.

Source: ARN

Tue, 27th May 2014

Perth, Sydney to be connected by submarine cable

SubPartners has announced a submarine cable connecting Perth to Sydney.

Source: Computerworld

Amaysim aims for a million

Australia's largest MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) has passed 600,000 active customers on its 'BYO handset' network and has its sights set on reaching the magical 1 million mark before too long.

Source: iTWire

Telstra can do better on stuctural separation, says ACCC

The ACCC's annual report on Telstra's compliance with its Structural Separation Undertaking (SSU) has been tabled in Parliament. Telstra needs to do more, it says.

Source: iTWire

Google-backed Vic trial highlights tele-dentistry benefits

Access to specialist dental care services in rural, remote and outer suburban areas can be significantly improved through tele-dentistry by removing the need to travel to specialists, a trial in Victoria has shown.

Source: iTnews Australia