Broadband News

Tue, 15th Jan 2013

Southern Cross reduces prices, adds capacity

The Southern Cross Cable network has increased international capacity and dropped its prices by 20 percent to keep up with competitive projects and demand for higher data caps by ISPs.

Source: iTnews Australia

Mon, 14th Jan 2013

Southern Cross Cable cuts prices, again

Southern Cross Cable - which enjoys a monopoly on trans-Tasman fibre connectivity - has cut wholesale prices by 20 percent.

Source: iTWire

Smartphones outpacing tablets in data consumption

Study by Arieso shows smartphones trumping tablets for the first time in data consumption, putting further pressure on mobile operators to better strategize their network coverage and management.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Fri, 11th Jan 2013

NBN Co exceeds year-end construction target

NBN Co has exceeded its corporate plan target of starting or completing fibre network construction for 758,000 homes and businesses by the end of 2012.

Source: iTnews Australia

Twitter move to Australia 'imminent'

Social networking giant Twitter is being tipped to "imminently" open its first Australian corporate office as part of plans to help combat cyber bullying and deepen ties with the federal and state governments.

Source: Computerworld

NBN Co beats 2012 construction target - by 592

NBN Co exceeded its target - by 592 - to have construction commenced or completed in areas covering 758,000 premises before the end of 2012.

Source: ARN

Optus brings 4G to 100 Queensland cell sites

Optus has significantly ramped up its 4G network presence in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, expanding to over 100 cell sites in a little over two months.

Source: iTnews Australia

Thu, 10th Jan 2013

FTTH v FTTN: US market watchers disagree

A report on the development of FTTH networks in the US from research firm RVA suggests that the Labor Government is on the right track with its ambitious plan to serve 93 percent of premises by fibre. However Ovum has backed AT&T's decision to focus on FTTN.

Source: iTWire

Browser drive-by exploits top Internet threat list

The European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) has pegged drive-by exploits as the top cyber threat facing Internet users.

Source: iTnews Australia

Businesses not prepared for NBN's 'big bang', former Tas premier says

David Bartlett, former Tasmanian premier, is championing the National Broadband Network (NBN) as a driver of digital disruption, but he says businesses aren’t ready for the opportunities it will bring.

Source: Computerworld

Wed, 09th Jan 2013

NBN Co notches up another win in Tasmania

NBN Co has notched up another win for its fixed wireless towers in Tasmania, with a development application for a tower in Huon Valley given the go-ahead following an appeal.

Source: Computerworld

Conroy's 4G spectrum pricing 'seriously flawed': Fletcher

Liberal Party MP Paul Fletcher has said that the Australian government's pricing decision for 4G spectrum is a "serious error".

Source: ZDNet Australia

New standard boosts WiFi to 7Gbps

The IEEE has approved a new version of the Wi-Fi standard - IEEE 802.11ad - for Wi-Fi operating at 60GHz, delivering throughput up to 7Gbps and able to seamlessly fallback to the current standard for Wi-Fi in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.

Source: iTWire

iiNet waives fees for bushfire-affected customers in Tas

iiNet is waiving disconnection and installation fees for Tasmanian customers affected by the recent bushfires.

Source: Computerworld

Tue, 08th Jan 2013

AFP can't get data on how long it needs data

One of the strongest backers for Australian telecommunications companies to hold customer data for access by government agencies can't itself provide data on how long it usually requires that data for crime investigation to be stored.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Mon, 07th Jan 2013

Wi-Fi Alliance to absorb WiGig Alliance

The Wi-Fi Alliance - the industry body that oversees standardisation and product certification for Wi-Fi products - is to absorb the WiGig Alliance, a body formed in 2009 to fulfil a similar role for new wireless LAN technologies designed to provide throughput of several gigabits per second.

Source: iTWire

Telstra sends comms-on-wheels to Tas bushfires

A truck intended to demonstrate the capabilities of the National Broadband Network has been repurposed as a communications hub in bushfire-affected Tasmania.

Source: iTnews Australia

Long beta for Australia eVote

Electronic voting isn't likely to replace voting at the ballot box anytime soon, according to identity and security experts, despite progress in NSW and Victoria and renewed interest in Queensland.

Source: iTnews Australia

Property buyers now look for high-speed broadband access

Buyers of homes in new developments are getting a head start on other Sydney residents with access to the national broadband network.

Source: SMH

Fri, 04th Jan 2013

ACMA all set for mobile spectrum auction

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has released documents detailing the final terms and pricing for the auction of the 700MHz and 2.5GHz spectrum bands.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Thu, 03rd Jan 2013

Megaupload claims it was asked by US to keep infringing files

The U.S. government misrepresented facts when it approached a court for search warrants against Megaupload, according to a filing Wednesday by counsels of the file-sharing site.

Source: ARN

Global telco revenues exceed $2 trillion

Total revenue for the world's telecommunications companies exceeded US$2 trillion in 2012. Most of that was for mobile operators.

Source: iTWire

Australia's new mobile spectrum up for grabs

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has published a final set of terms, conditions and prices for the auction of spectrum for future mobile data services, and given mobile carriers until January 24, 2013 to be part of the action.

Source: iTnews Australia

Wed, 02nd Jan 2013

R18+ video game rating now in force

On New Years Day Australia's new R18+ adults-only video game category came into force. Games with the new rating can only be bought or rented by people over 18.

Source: iTWire

Tue, 01st Jan 2013

How Telstra sees 2013

Analysts and vendors and others love to make "Top Ten" predictions for the coming year. Telstra's are important, because they give us a glimpse of how Australia's biggest technology company sees the year ahead - and what products it might be releasing.

Source: iTWire

Mon, 31st Dec 2012

Internode provides free New Year wireless at Glenelg

Thousands of visitors to the Moseley Square New Year celebration at Adelaide's beachside suburb of Glenelg will welcome in 2013 with free wireless Internet access provided by Internode.

Source: iTWire

Mon, 24th Dec 2012

ACMA ready to take names on 700 MHz auction

The Australian Communications and Media Authority will begin taking applications from bidders hoping to nab a slice of 700 MHz and 2.5 GHz spectrum from January 3, 2013.

Source: iTnews Australia

Fri, 21st Dec 2012

Telstra repays $30 million after overcharging for global roaming

Telstra has begun issuing refunds of about $30 million after admitting it had been over-charging customers for global roaming services on mobile phones since 2006.

Source: SMH

NBN Co spends $87m on fibre to unit blocks

NBN Co has signed $87 million in contracts with Downer EDI and Universal Communications Group to roll fibre into multi-dwelling units.

Source: iTnews Australia

Thu, 20th Dec 2012

Court rules only TPG TV ads misleading

The Full Bench of the Federal Court has today overturned most of a ruling that found that TPG broadband ads were misleading.

Source: ZDNet Australia