Broadband News
Mon, 03rd Jun 2013
Asbestos breaches uncovered at NBN sites in Banyo, Carseldine and Mackay
The National Broadband Network asbestos scare has spread to Queensland, with the State Government saying asbestos handling breaches have been identified at three sites.
Source: ABC News
For the love of God, please secure your wireless networks
A routine tech support call from a family member uncovered a neighborhood infested with unsecured WLANs.
Source: ZDNet Australia
ACCC blocks iiNet's transparency drive
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has turned down a request by iiNet to privately brief ISPs on how wholesale prices for Telstra DSL ports are calculated.
Source: iTnews Australia
Top-level talks on Telstra asbestos crisis
The federal government will discuss the management of asbestos sites with Telstra and unions at a crisis meeting.
Source: ARN
Turnbull's Small Town Thinking
Malcolm Turnbull has criticised the NBN approach for ignoring the VDSL potential in areas currently slated for wireless coverage. When you look at the current ADSL penetration in these areas you can see, he has a point.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Government to discuss fund for people exposed to asbestos during NBN rollout
The Federal Government, Telstra and unions will hold crisis talks over the National Broadband Network (NBN) asbestos scare in Canberra today.
Source: ABC News
Optus 'lost its way' says CEO
Optus Consumer CEO Kevin Russell has given an extended interview to the ABC. He did not hold back. Optus will compete against Telstra on service, but continue to wind back retail.
Source: iTWire
Optus ends football sponsorships
Optus has ended its sponsorship of Football Federation Australia after five years with the round ball game. Oval balls are out too, with its sponsorship of AFL team Carlton to end this year. Other sponsorships are in doubt.
Source: iTWire
Optus mulls fibre-to-the-home product
Optus will consider offering fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband plans under a potential Coalition national broadband network.
Source: iTnews Australia
Fri, 31st May 2013
NBN maintains rollout forecast, shows increase in up-take rates
In the face of criticism that it is falling behind on its rollout, NBN Co has stuck with its forecasts for this financial year, while also showing that even more users are choosing to use the fibre network where it is available.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Australia's Internet traffic to double in five years - but world will grow threefold
In 2017 Internet traffic will reach more than a trillion Gigabytes a year, but Australia’s share will be so small it will amount to rounding error. And our share is falling - growth in Australia is high, but not as high as the global rate of increase.
Source: iTWire
Man crushed by truck at NBN work site
A man has died at an NBN work site on the New South Wales south coast after being crushed between two trucks.
Source: ABC News
Internet traffic forecast to triple in four years
A leading technology firm forecasts that the need for internet speed will increase at a mind-boggling pace over the next three years.
Source: ABC News
Five NBN Co lessons from Budget Estimates
NBN Co's four-hour session at Budget Estimates last night afforded plenty of time to cover a broad spectrum of topics.
Source: iTnews Australia
McKenna 'in move to oust Quigley'
NBN Co Chairman Siobhan McKenna tried to force Mike Quigley out, according to reports. All is not well in the boardroom, but the election will most likely clear the air.
Source: iTWire
The IIA wants to know what you think about cybercrime
The Internet Industry Association (IIA) icode Taskforce has completed a review of its icode customer protection scheme and is now seeking public comment.
Source: iTWire
NBN Co's take-up rates soar
Take-up rates across NBN Co's fibre network are soaring, with many rollout areas adding hundreds of users over the past five weeks.
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN chief Quigley defends asbestos training and calls for calm
The chief executive of the National Broadband Network (NBN) insists the company has a thorough system of training to protect contractors and the public from asbestos exposure while the network is being laid.
Source: ABC News
Thu, 30th May 2013
Aussie 'secret filter' legislation used for national security purposes
The controversial Section 313 of the Telecommunications Act, used to block websites from Australians, is currently being used by an unnamed Australian government agency for national security purposes.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telstra to employ extra staff for asbestos supervision
Telstra has begun advertising for up to 200 specialists to inspect and supervise asbestos remediation work of its pits and pipes following work shutting down in a Sydney residential area due to asbestos fears.
Source: Computerworld
Telstra exchange fire cost spirals above $20m
A fire in Telstra's Warrnambool exchange late last year is now expected to cost the carrier in excess of $20 million, more than twice the amount reported in March.
Source: iTnews Australia
TransACT fibre buy: Hush money or new NBN direction?
In the wake of the TransACT buy, other private operators with tiny networks must be wondering whether they can offload their infrastructure to NBN Co, too.
Source: ZDNet Australia
ACCC backs down on Telstra backhaul price rise
Internet service providers have been thrown a minor lifeline after the competition watchdog backed down on plans to raise the price of the transmission backhaul bundled with Telstra's wholesale ADSL ports.
Source: iTnews Australia
Vodafone expands regional coverage
Vodafone has revealed plans to increase its regional coverage, flicking the switch on 1200 new network sites across the country from July.
Source: ARN
Telstra must set up asbestos fund: CEPU
Telstra should set up a James Hardie-style fund for workers potentially exposed to asbestos during work on the National Broadband Network, a union says.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Vodafone in hot water with the ACMA
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued a formal warning to Vodafone for breaching the Telecommunications Consumer Protection (TCP) code.
Source: Computerworld
Wed, 29th May 2013
Work on NBN suspended amid asbestos fears
Work on the NBN has been suspended in a residential area of Sydney amid fears contractors haven't safely handled the removal of asbestos.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN asbestos fears prompt Telstra audit
Telstra will conduct an audit of its NBN work after reports of asbestos contamination at a number of sites.
Source: iTWire
Tue, 28th May 2013
Understanding Geo-blocking: watch whatever you want, when you want
There's a whole wide world of entertainment out there - but you've got to know how to get access to it first. Adam Turn investigates.
Source: PC Authority
How to ignite demand for NBN bandwidth, and more
For many, the question of what will drive demand for the NBN's bandwidth remains unanswered and while the there are multiple initiatives seeking to provide answers, Australia would do well to emulate the USA where a new body, US Ignite, has been created to do just that, but with very broad membership and hugely ambitious goals.
Source: iTWire