Broadband News

Thu, 16th May 2013

Conroy dismisses claims of NBN failing

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has dismissed claims the federal budget reveals the national broadband network (NBN) is failing.

Source: ARN

New fears for web censorship in Australia

The blocking of 1200 legal websites by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission has sparked calls for the federal goverment to reveal who it's censoring, and why.

Source: iTWire

Turnbull criticises Conroy - for not spending enough on the NBN

The Budget has delivered just what Malcolm Turnbull and the Federal Opposition wanted - a reduction in spending on the NBN. But they say this is a Bad Thing.

Source: iTWire

Wed, 15th May 2013

Telstra glitch sees Kogan Mobile users left for days without data

A number of Kogan customers have found themselves with no data services, after a glitch in one of Telstra's platforms meant that accounts recharged over the weekend did not include data allowance.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Optus mobile revenue falls

Optus has blamed the introduction of mobile usage caps, reduced call termination rates and lower equipment sales for a 4.6 percent revenue drop this financial year.

Source: iTnews Australia

Conroy, Turnbull joust over NBN equity numbers

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and his opposite Malcolm Turnbull are again trading barbs over the National Broadband Network, this time over the amount of government equity committed to the project.

Source: iTnews Australia

Optus results 'stable'

Optus and its parent SingTel have announced their annual financial results. Revenues are down and profit up - both marginally. But Optus is holding things back.

Source: iTWire

Budget includes provisions for NBN termination

The Federal Government has provided provisions for the termination of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in its 2013-14 budget.

Source: Computerworld

Optus gains 4G ground on Telstra

Optus has revealed for the first time that it has sold over 785,000 4G handsets since launching the network last year.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Turnbull criticises government's NBN budget cuts

Malcolm Turnbull has criticised the Federal Government for budget cuts to the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: Computerworld

iiNet introduces new 4G mobile fleet plans

DSL Internet service provider, iiNet, has introduced new 4G mobile fleet plans that are specifically designed for SMB customers that have multiple staff.

Source: ARN

Tue, 14th May 2013

BUDGET 2013: $12.9m extra for NBN initiatives

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has announced an extra $12.9 million for new digital initiatives to showcase the possibilities of the National Broadband Network.

Source: ARN

Spectrum fail could help Libs fight Labor's regional NBN

Stephen Conroy is using FttP to court regional centres, with the promise of things to come under Labor. Can he convince the bush that FttN won't help them - or can Turnbull save face with unsold 700MHz spectrum?

Source: ZDNet Australia

Samsung's 5G is not the death knell of the NBN

The death of the NBN at the hands of wireless is, once again, greatly exaggerated.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Samsung's '5G' still a while away

Samsung today announced a '5G data break-through', but the foundations underpinning the wireless technology are still a long way off.

Source: iTnews Australia

Virgin launches 13GB postpaid 4G broadband offering

Optus subsidiary Virgin Mobile has launched a 4G postpaid mobile broadband service on a $59, 12-month plan that includes 13GB of data.

Source: Computerworld

Mon, 13th May 2013

Optus lowers entry barrier to Naked broadband

Optus has introduced an entry-level Naked broadband service as one of several changes to its fixed-line product portfolio.

Source: iTnews Australia

M2 closes Eftel offer

M2 Telecommunications has closed its offer to acquire ordinary shares in Eftel, with more than 98 per cent of Eftel shareholders accepting the offer.

Source: Computerworld

.melbourne domain gets ICANN approval

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has signed off on the creation of a new .melbourne top-level domain, with the new TLD passing ICANN's initial evaluation process.

Source: Computerworld

Optus adds new broadband and voice plans

Optus has unveiled a new range of fixed line broadband and voice plans.

Source: ARN

Turnbull says Telstra will hand over its copper

A key aspect of the Opposition's alternative NBN plan is to use Telstra's existing copper from node to premises.

Source: iTWire

Govt warns ACCC against NBN price tinkering

The department of one of NBN Co's shareholder ministers has warned the ACCC against over-zealous intervention in NBN Co's affairs.

Source: iTnews Australia

Fri, 10th May 2013

Five things to know about 802.11ac

The latest iteration of Wi-Fi, 802.11ac, will eventually replace 802.11n as the dominant standard. Here are 5 things you need to know:

Source: APC Magazine

NBN speed site misleading, says Turnbull

COMMENT: Does Malcolm Turnbull write his own blog? We got 3,000 words from the former journalist yesterday. Most of them are spot on.

Source: iTWire

Optus takes on not-for-profit MVNO

A not-for-profit organisation has partnered with Optus to launch Australia's first telco aimed squarely at disabled users.

Source: iTnews Australia

Thu, 09th May 2013

Union to deliver NBN asbestos report

Federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and companies rolling out the $37.4 billion National Broadband Network (NBN) in Tasmania will receive a report on asbestos issues with the project's construction on Thursday.

Source: Computerworld

NBN Co addresses ACCC concerns on undertaking

NBN Co has outlined how it plans to address the competition regulators remaining concerns surrounding the special access undertaking that sets out how the company will operate for the next 30 years.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Wed, 08th May 2013

So, just how fast is the NBN?

A new tool is finally pointing out the key differences between the Labor and Coalition NBN plans - and it seems to be well and truly clicking with voters.

Source: iTWire

Government funds nine NBN-based telehealth projects

The Gillard Government is investing $20.3 million in nine telehealth projects which will use the National Broadband Network (NBN) to pilot new methods of healthcare delivery.

Source: ARN

NBN speed test website draws quick fire

Less than a day after launching his NBN comparison website, a Liberal-leaning university student has been hailed on social media, accused of being a covert agent for the Labor Party and taken a verbal slap from Malcolm Turnbull.

Source: SMH