Broadband News

Sat, 09th Feb 2013

Carrier hands off LTE voice call to 3G, looking toward future need

Mobile engineers have successfully demonstrated the handoff of a voice call from LTE to 3G, a capability that may prove critical in carriers' plans to put voice on their new, fast data networks.

Source: ARN

Telstra contemplating speed-based plans, hits back at P2P criticism

Telstra is considering speed- or application-based ADSL plans, it has revealed in a blog post aimed at busting the "myths" around its P2P throttling trials, following backlash from the public.

Source: Computerworld

Fri, 08th Feb 2013

Hobart switched on to the NBN fibre

Fibre services on the National Broadband Network (NBN) have been switched on in Hobart, Tasmania. Around 1800 premises in the area can now sign up for NBN services.

Source: Computerworld

Telstra forced to redraw NBN info handling rules

Telstra will be forced to redraw rules governing the way it proposes to handle confidential NBN information after the competition watchdog ruled the existing rules were too lax.

Source: iTnews Australia

Turnbull calls Conroy out on "bullying" behaviour

Malcolm Turnbull has accused Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, of bullying the telecommunications industry, during an interview with ABC Radio on Friday morning.

Source: Computerworld

Vodafone continues to lose customers

Vodafone Australia's revenue fell by 16 per cent in the last three months of 2012 as it continued to lose thousands of customers.

Source: ARN

Thu, 07th Feb 2013

Telstra will still pay a dividend

Telstra has released its six month financial results. Revenue and profits are up, and a dividend is confirmed - despite recent comments that they will no longer be automatic.

Source: iTWire

ACCC orders Telstra to improve NBN processes

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has ordered Telstra to improve four processes to support migrating customers onto the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: Computerworld

ACCAN asks Telstra to explain its P2P throttling trial

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has called on Telstra to explain itself over a trial to throttle speeds when customers use peer-to-peer networks.

Source: Computerworld

iPhone 5 counts for one in three Telstra 4G devices

Despite having 20 different 4G devices in the market, Telstra has reported that over 500,000 of the 1.5 million 4G devices it has sold were the iPhone 5.

Source: ZDNet Australia

iPhone 5 driving Telstra customers to 4G

Telstra is trying to migrate as many customers as possible to its 4G network because it’s a cheaper way to carry data, Telstra CEO David Thodey, told an analyst briefing announcing the company's half-year results.

Source: Computerworld

Telstra hits 14.4 million domestic mobile customers

Telstra now has 14.4 million mobile customers across Australia after adding 607,000 for its half year ending December 31, 2012.

Source: Computerworld

Telstra profits reach $1.6 billion

On track to expand 4G coverage to 66 per cent by June.

Source: ARN

Wed, 06th Feb 2013

Bypassing Telstra's P2P crackdown is child's play

Does Telstra really think it can thwart P2P file-sharing, or does it just want to drive data hogs to other ISPs?

Source: SMH

Labor's NBN election sweeteners may turn saccharine

Labor is naturally keen to paint its NBN strategy as offering the most for voters, but giving too much, too early could very well backfire on the party by empowering Turnbull's alternative in the election run-up.

Source: ZDNet Australia

iiNet slams Telstra for P2P throttling trial

iiNet has slammed Telstra for its move to undertake trials to throttle speeds when customers use peer-to-peer networks.

Source: Computerworld

NBN planning begins in the Northern Rivers region in NSW

Planning is underway for the National Broadband Network’s (NBN) fixed wireless network in the Northern Rivers region in NSW.

Source: Computerworld

NBN Co brings 25/5 Mbps to fixed wireless

NBN Co will make a 25/5 Mbps service available on its fixed wireless network as early as June.

Source: iTnews Australia

Tue, 05th Feb 2013

NBN Co doubles wireless, satellite speeds

The maximum download and upload speeds for fixed-wireless and satellite services on the National Broadband Network have been more than doubled to 25Mbps down and 5Mbps up, the Australian government has announced.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra to clamp down on peer-to-peer

Telstra is planning to slow the speed at which its customers download content through peer-to-peer (P2P) networks in peak periods as part of a trial.

Source: SMH

ADSL broadband slows remote medical education

Australia should invest in faster broadband for regional areas to promote telehealth and clinical education, according to the head of a non-governmental organisation that trains general practice doctors.

Source: Computerworld

Broadband Dept blasts 'forum-shopping' ISPs

The Department of Broadband has broken its silence over an increasingly one-sided effort to saddle NBN Co with a regulatory burden akin to Telstra's.

Source: iTnews Australia

Mon, 04th Feb 2013

4G's slow summer

Average 4G speeds have dropped 18 percent since November. It seems that a bunch of new users could be slowing things down. Can it bounce back, or are we starting to move down to the long-term average for wireless technology?

Source: ZDNet Australia

Data retention stalls at committee level

The Australian Government's controversial data retention proposal looks to have stalled at the committee review level following the appointment of a new Attorney-General and the announcement of an election date.

Source: iTnews Australia

First NBN fibre laid in Strathfield and Homebush in NSW

Strathfield in New South Wales is one step closer to receiving the National Broadband Network (NBN) following the first fibre optic cable being laid in the area.

Source: Computerworld

NBN expands learning opportunities

The National Broadband Network (NBN) can be a powerful tool that improves educational outcomes for children, according to a report by NBN Co.

Source: ARN

ACMA reveals 4G 1800 MHz resale fears

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found itself with two empty portions of 1800 MHz spectrum and a resale deadline that threatens the contiguous nature of the range.

Source: iTnews Australia

Fri, 01st Feb 2013

The ACT begins switching on to the NBN

The National Broadband Network (NBN) has officially been switched on at 4000 premises in Gungahlin, 17km north of Canberra.

Source: Computerworld

Apple blocks Java in browser again

Oracle's latest update of the Java runtime for browsers has been marked as unsafe by Apple's anti-malware feature Xprotect, Mac users report.

Source: iTnews Australia

Telstra service disruptions continue in Queensland

Telstra customers are continuing to experience service disruptions in Queensland due to power outages.

Source: Computerworld