Broadband News
Fri, 31st May 2013
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
No 'coordinated government filter agency': Conroy
There is no centralised Australian government department overseeing agencies' use of powers to block websites, according to Communications Minister Stephen Conroy.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telco issued ACMA warning for TCP code breach
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued a warning to Southern Cross Telco for contravening the Telecommunications Consumer Protection (TCP) code for emailing invoices to more than 1000 consumers who weren't the account holder.
Source: Computerworld
NBN Co to beat its June rollout target
NBN Co is on track to beat its revised June rollout targets by up to 13,000 premises, an analysis by iTnews can reveal.
Source: iTnews Australia
ACCC to review mobile termination access service
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is seeking submissions to a public inquiry into the domestic mobile termination access service, or MTAS.
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN Co wins right to fast-track users onto fibre
NBN Co will receive a major boost to its take-up numbers in the crucial months leading up to the election after quietly receiving regulatory approval to open more partially-built areas to retail internet services.
Source: iTnews Australia
Mon, 27th May 2013
AusBBS adds unlimited NBN plans to arsenal
ISP AusBBS is confident it can shield its new range of unlimited-quota NBN fibre plans from bandwidth-hungry internet users such products have attracted in the past.
Source: iTnews Australia
7 ways to maximise your Wi-Fi speeds
So you have your new 802.11ac or 802.11n routers and adapter ready to go. Now you just have to set up your home for optimal wireless performance.
Source: APC Magazine
Vodafone - light at the end of a dark tunnel?
Staff in Vodafone's Sydney office have been told there is to be a staff announcement this week. We thought it might be bad news. Vodafone says not.
Source: iTWire
NBN Co has been 'very transparent': Conroy
Senator Stephen Conroy has cited NBN Co's public downgrade in February of its construction targets as an example of openness by the government-owned company.
Source: Computerworld
AusBBS launches unlimited NBN plans
Australian Broadband Services (AusBBS) has released unlimited National Broadband Network (NBN) plans.
Source: Computerworld
Fibre optic breakthrough a win for enterprise
Australian head offices connected by undersea and intercity fibre optic cable could one day receive much faster connectivity thanks to a breakthrough from researchers at Bell Labs.
Source: iTnews Australia
Fri, 24th May 2013
Telstra unveils CAT4 4G wi-fi dongle combo
Telstra has launched a new 4G dongle that doubles up as a wi-fi hotspot.
Source: ZDNet Australia
US ISP to rip out Huawei equipment
Huawei's bad luck in the US continues, after wireless ISP Clearwire announced it will reduce the amount of equipment from the Chinese telco vendor it uses in its TDD-LTE network rollout due to national security concerns.
Source: iTnews Australia
Get it while you can – kits to help small businesses benefit from the NBN
The Minister Communications, Senator Stephen Conroy, has announced that the Government will provide $5 million to develop sector-specific ‘Digital Business Kits’ to help small to medium sized enterprises take advantage of the National Broadband Network.
Source: iTWire
Thu, 23rd May 2013
Signs point to NBN construction ramp-up
Figures released last week showed that NBN Co passed 22,100 brownfield premises with fibre in the first three months of 2013, but can the company make up the gap to meet its targets by the end of June?
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN subcontractor rips up pipes
An furious NBN subcontractor has ripped equipment out of the ground over a pay dispute, tearing out pipes laid just six weeks ago in Adelaide.
Source: iTWire
More NBN training hubs launched in Adelaide
Seven new digital hubs which promote the benefits of the National Broadband Network (NBN) have been launched in Adelaide.
Source: Computerworld