Broadband News
Mon, 05th May 2014
NBN Co tips October launch for FTTB product
NBN Co expects to have a fibre-to-the-basement product available to end users by October this year, after it completes trials of the technology.
Source: iTnews Australia
Home owners could be hit with NBN kit costs
NBN Co is looking to pass off the responsibility for installing and maintaining the network equipment needed for connections to the national broadband network onto NBN service providers, with home owners now likely to be charged for the kit.
Source: iTnews Australia
Fri, 02nd May 2014
Privatise NBN, cut start-up funding and appoint a chief digital officer: Commission of Audit
The National Commission of Audit, a report commissioned by treasurer Joe Hockey and Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann last year, was handed down on Thursday. It cannot be accused of overlooking technology and the impact of digital strategies on the national budget.
Source: SMH
Tasmanian contractors may seek compensation from beleaguered NBN supplier over lost revenue
Six Tasmanian construction contractors are considering legal action to reap millions of dollars in compensation from an NBN supplier.
Source: SMH
Victorian government backs slower NBN
The Victorian government has indicated it supports its federal Coalition counterparts' changes to the rollout of the National Broadband Network, including NBN Co adopting a multi-technology mix that will make significant use of fibre-to-the-node and HFC.
Source: Computerworld
XP included in urgent Internet Explorer security patch
Microsoft has decided to include its old Windows XP operating system in its out-of-band security patch for the built-in Internet Explorer web browser, released today via Windows Update.
Source: iTnews Australia
Thu, 01st May 2014
Government needs to move online quicker: Commission of Audit
The National Commission of Audit has recommended that the Australian government move to a "digital by default" strategy and embrace cloud computing, e-Government services, outsourcing, and shared services and procurement.
Source: ZDNet Australia
'We've got the top performing network in Australia': Vodafone
New Vodafone Australia CEO, Inaki Berroeta, isn't planning to make any drastic changes to the three-year plan his predecessor put in place, but believes reliability and capacity issues have been resolved and that it is now the top performing network in Australia.
Source: ARN
Commission of Audit says sell off Australia Post and NBN
The Report of the Australian National Commission of Audit has recommended the privatisation of ten federal government bodies, including Australia Post and the National Broadband Network.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Optus takes issue with deregulation proposals
Australia's number two telco, Optus, has taken issue with elements of proposed deregulation of the telecommunications industry.
Source: Computerworld
Wed, 30th Apr 2014
Vodafone CEO admits negative perceptions linger
Vodafone Australia's recently appointed CEO Inaki Berroeta has admitted that in spite of major investments in improving its network, the company has not yet shaken negative perceptions about the quality of its service.
Source: iTnews Australia
Vodafone confident users will not see network woe redux
Vodafone Australia says its LTE network is solid and quick enough to avoid any repeat of the issues that plagued its 3G network.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Optus to shed 350 staff in major restructure
Optus has confirmed that about 350 people will lose their jobs at the telco as part of a major restructure.
Source: ABC News
Tue, 29th Apr 2014
Australia a main target for DDoS attacks
DDoS attacks are experiencing an unprecedented spike and Australia is one of the main targets according to data released by software firm Arbor Networks.
Source: iTWire
Optus to cut another 200 jobs in ongoing restructure
Optus will cut another 200 jobs as part of an ongoing business-wide restructure which has already seen around 1500 workers shown the door in the past two years.
Source: iTnews Australia
Optus 10 satellite launch set for late May
Australian satellite provider, Optus, will launch its state-of-the art Optus 10 satellite in late May.
Source: ARN
Mon, 28th Apr 2014
Tasmanian NBN a shambolic, abysmal failure: TasICT
TasICT has labelled the NBN deployment in Tasmania as a shambles, and said in a submission to the NBN senate committee that argument over which technology is used to rollout the NBN is now less relevant than the need to get customers onto the network.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Australians' private government details at mercy of hackers, say IT security experts
The private details of millions of Australians are at the mercy of cybercriminals because of flimsy security around a critical government website, experts warn.
Source: SMH
Thu, 24th Apr 2014
Australian internet: Still slower than the rest
New research by Akamai shows that Australia's has one of the slowest internet speeds in the world in comparison to a number of other countries.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telstra signs broadband security deal with Mako Networks
Telstra (ASX: TLS) will be offering business customers a broadband connection package which includes secure Internet access and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance later this year.
Source: Computerworld
Australia falling behind on digital access: AIG
The nation is falling behind its international competitors on internet access and affordability and more investment in communications infrastructure, like broadband, is needed, economists are warning.
Source: ABC News
Wed, 23rd Apr 2014
New blood joins iiNet board
Two new directors have joined the iiNet board of directors, following the recent departures of Simon Hackett and Paul Broad.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Tue, 22nd Apr 2014
To Morrow, when the NBN war began
NBN Co is becoming a parody of itself as new CEO Bill Morrow strongarms would-be competitors and a multi billion dollar organisation justifies a 180-degree policy turnaround on the back of a single, non-representative speed test.
Source: ZDNet Australia
iiNet appoints two new directors
Internet service provider iiNet has appointed Patrick O'Sullivan and Paul McCarney to its Board of Directors.
Source: ARN
ACCC extends deal with Telstra's copper network until 2019
The Australian competition watchdog will continue to allow retail telecommunication service providers to use Telstra's copper network for another five years.
Source: ZDNet Australia
AT&T to roll out fibre-to-the-premise to 21 US cities
US telco AT&T will expand its fibre network to up to 21 new major metropolitan areas by next year, it announced today.
Source: iTnews Australia
iiNet chases over $241k in unbilled line rental
Internet service provider iiNet is chasing more than 8000 of its customers for outstanding payments after under-billing their accounts over a six month period.
Source: iTnews Australia
Thu, 17th Apr 2014
Telstra sees red over expanded wholesale regulation
Telstra has hit back at the ACCC over its decision to re-regulate Telstra's wholesale line rental and local carriage services in a number of CBD areas, claiming that it runs contrary to the Coalition Government’s agenda to reduce red-tape.
Source: iTnews Australia
Telcos seek to strengthen NBN Co wholesale restrictions
Major telcos and Internet service providers including Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and iiNet have pushed for clarity on some aspects of NBN Co's wholesale role and the tightening of restrictions that prevent the company rolling out the National Broadband Network from supplying services to end users.
Source: Computerworld
Vodafone tackles FIFA World Cup with $5 roaming in Brazil
Vodafone is targeting Australians traveling to the 2014 FIFA World Cup with the addition of Brazil to its $5 per day roaming deal.
Source: ARN