Broadband News

Tue, 09th Jul 2013

Optus increases 4G and 3G coverage

Optus has completed a major expansion of its 4G and 3G mobile networks in Adelaide with the launch of 25 new 4G sites and more than 150 upgraded 3G sites.

Source: ARN

Mon, 08th Jul 2013

Vodafone introduces new tablet-friendly data plans

Vodafone has introduced competitive new data plans starting at $20 for 2.5GB of data on its 4G network.

Source: ARN

ACMA pings two telcos for consumer code breaches

Touch Mobile and Jadi 1 have both been directed to ensure that they are complying with the telecommunications consumer protection code.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Tas switches on more NBN fibre services

Around 10,600 premises have been switched on to the National Broadband Network (NBN) in Tasmania today.

Source: Computerworld

Japan and Europe co-fund 100Gpbs network research

The European Union and Japan have assembled six research projects to explore future internetworking technologies, including optical connections of 100 gigabit/s and beyond.

Source: iTnews Australia

Service Stream extends trading halt amid NBN Co discussions

Service Stream has requested an extension of its trading halt on the Australian Stock Exchange amid reports it is looking to offload its Syntheo joint venture.

Source: Computerworld

Broadband penetration higher in countries with national rollout strategy

Countries with a coordinated national strategy for rolling out broadband are making significantly faster progress than those taking a more laissez-faire approach to broadband development, according to a new report.

Source: ARN

Fri, 05th Jul 2013

ACMA: 19 percent of Aussies shun home phones

The number of Australians who replaced their home phones and fixed-line internet services has steadily increased, according to the media watchdog.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN Co's figure fudging is a disservice

NBN Co's continual misrepresentation of its own targets does nothing but give its opponents ammo in the ongoing NBN war.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra unveils next-gen exchange on wheels

Telstra is touting a third-generation Mobile Exchange On Wheels (MEOW) trailer that can support twice as many ADSL2+ and PSTN services as its predecessor.

Source: iTnews Australia

RSPs not demanding IPv6 services on NBN

Demand from providers for IPv6 services on the National Broadband Network (NBN) has been low, according to Tom Sykes from NBN Co.

Source: Computerworld

NBN connects migrants to virtual classrooms

The National Broadband Network (NBN) has commenced the connection of new migrants with English teachers in virtual classrooms across the country.

Source: ARN

Thu, 04th Jul 2013

NextDC founder Slattery steps down

The Pipe Networks founder is leaving NextDC, another company he founded, to concentrate on his other business ventures.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN Co passes 207,500 premises with fibre

NBN Co has achieved its revised June fibre rollout target, passing 207,500 premises.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN service terms stall again

NBN Co's special access undertaking is once again the subject of delays, confirming ISP's fears that the drawn-out approval process would extend into a third year.

Source: iTnews Australia

Telstra resumes work after asbestos scare

Telstra is resuming work in some NSW telecommunication pits after an asbestos scare at National Broadband Network (NBN) sites halted all operations last month.

Source: Computerworld

NBN Co meets revised fibre rollout target

NBN Co has achieved its revised end-of-year target for the delivery of the fibre optic national broadband network to homes and businesses across Australia.

Source: ARN

Wed, 03rd Jul 2013

I'm no tech head: Albanese

Australia's new Communications Minister Anthony Albanese has invoked a widely mocked phrase from Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in defending his new assistant minister Kate Lundy.

Source: ZDNet Australia

New roaming rules for Australian telcos

The ACMA has announced new rules to better inform Australians of the costs of using their mobile service while travelling overseas.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Copper broadband beats 1Gbps speeds in trial

Alcatel-Lucent claims to have achieved over one gigabit per second data transmissions on phone network copper wire in a trial conducted with Austrian telco A1.

Source: iTnews Australia

Internode sponsors event for young entrepreneur

Internet service provider (ISP), Internode, has been named sponsor of Startup Weekend Adelaide, a 54-hour event for young entrepreneurs held from July 12 to 14.

Source: ARN

Govt aims to end overseas bill shock

The government has introduced a new global roaming standard to avoid Australians encountering bill shock when they travel overseas - but some telco customers will need to wait years before they receive all the benefits of the changes.

Source: Computerworld

ACMA introduces standard to target roaming bill shock

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) today introduced a new set of features aimed at preventing excessive roaming charges for overseas travellers, as part of a new standard.

Source: iTnews Australia

Future of broadband going down to the wire

With the departure of senator Stephen Conroy after Labor's recent switch to Kevin Rudd, it is opportune to consider what might now happen to the national broadband network.

Source: SMH

Tue, 02nd Jul 2013

A double standard for Chinese NBN bidders

ASIO and the attorney general's department are yet to explain why Chinese technology company ZTE was invited to tender for the NBN last year, while its compatriot rival Huawei was explicitly banned from the project.

Source: iTnews Australia

Albanese to bring a different style to NBN stoush

Anthony Albanese is likely to bring a less bullish approach to the NBN portfolio than his predecessor, Senator Stephen Conroy, in the lead-up to the federal election, according to political commentator Nick Economou.

Source: Computerworld

Mon, 01st Jul 2013

Telco industry wants Albanese to focus on competition, NBN policy

The telecommunications industry has welcomed new Communications Minister Anthony Albanese and the ministers under him.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Deputy PM is Australia's new communications minister

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has picked up the communications and broadband portfolio in the lead-up to the election.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra receives fresh challenge to Sensis cuts

Telstra may yet be blocked from offshoring production work for its Sensis division, after the Government made an eleventh-hour bid to keep the work in Australia.

Source: iTnews Australia

Telstra hikes monthly access charges

Telstra has increased monthly access charges for a number of its business and consumer plans and cut off an old discount offer.

Source: iTnews Australia