Broadband News
Tue, 04th Jun 2013
Asbestos management taskforce set up
A taskforce will be set up to monitor the prevention of exposure, training and supervision of contractors working on the National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout, the federal government said.
Source: Computerworld
Vodafone waves goodbye to 3
Vodafone will be abolishing the 3 brand from August 30 and is giving customers three months to move off the service.
Source: ARN
How Telstra will leverage its LTE lead
Australians' love affair with smartphone and tablets and their insatiable appetite for content and applications have been good to Telstra. They have boosted its first mover advantage with LTE significantly, but that advantage will be magnified even further when Telstra introduces joyn.
Source: iTWire
Optus announces 'simpler' mobile broadband plans
Optus unveiled new mobile broadband plans that it said are part of a strategy of simplifying billing for customers.
Source: Computerworld
NBN asbestos fallout - toxic dust everywhere
The controversy over problems with asbestos being removed from Telstra's pipes and pits has blown up. Telstra's share price is falling, and the Government is being blamed.
Source: iTWire
Commonwealth could be held liable for asbestos breaches as Telstra prepares for NBN rollout
One of the official bodies investigating potential asbestos exposure linked to the National Broadband Network (NBN) says the Commonwealth could be held liable.
Source: ABC News
Mon, 03rd Jun 2013
Telstra reassures investors on asbestos
Telstra says it currently faces no financial risks from people being potentially exposed to asbestos in its pits and pipes.
Source: Computerworld
Telstra has 'zero tolerance' to contractors and asbestos
Telstra's CEO David Thodey has asserted that Telstra is responsible for asbestos issues associated with the National Broadband Network (NBN) and said there is a "zero tolerance" with contractors.
Source: Computerworld
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