Broadband News
Thu, 14th Feb 2013
ACMA plots amateur radio band harvest for LTE
The Australian Communications and Media Authority wants to use a small, 2 MHz radio frequency band to create a larger block of spectrum for future 4G transmissions, a move that could inconvenience thousands of radio amateurs currently using the range.
Source: iTnews Australia
Wed, 13th Feb 2013
Telstra cracks 90 Mbps in Perth LTE device tests
Telstra is readying a CAT4 wifi dongle and handset for its LTE network after field trials in Western Australia proved the devices capable of peak speeds exceeding 90 Mbps.
Source: iTnews Australia
Coffs Harbour switches on to the NBN
Fibre services for the National Broadband Network (NBN) has been switched on in Coffs Harbour, NSW.
Source: Computerworld
Telstra-Adam deal may spur competition: Exetel
Exetel has defied the statements made by other ISPs, and has said that Telstra's proposed takeover of Adam Internet could help competition.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN hearing descends into name-calling
We can't trust our politicians to behave at the best of times. At the Senate Estimates hearing into the National Broadband Network they acted like ten - no eight - year olds.
Source: iTWire
ACCC on guard against net content shaping
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has given its strongest indication yet that it will examine closely any efforts by telcos, including Telstra, to favour certain types of content over other types traversing the network.
Source: iTnews Australia
iiNet launches bundled NBN business plans
iiNet has announced bundled business plans for the National Broadband Network (NBN), starting at $79.95 per month on 25Mbps.
Source: Computerworld
NBN Co downgrades construction targets
NBN Co has downgraded its June 2013 target for the number of premises passed due to construction delays from Syntheo.
Source: Computerworld
Tue, 12th Feb 2013
NBN Co teams up with strata group for apartment trial
NBN Co is attempting to tackle the tricky issue of obtaining consent from unit owners to roll out fibre into multi-dwelling units.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Critics question Telstra's motives on P2P throttling
Consumer groups fear a trial by Telstra that will slow the speed of peer-to-peer (P2P) services could be the start of a trend that sees ISPs "interfering in people's online activities".
Source: SMH
Is Telstra's P2P throttling really so bad?
We all know what happens when an entire suburb turns on their split-cycle air conditioners on a 43-degree day. This is the same thing that happens to shared HFC networks when a few fanatics set out to download every piece of data known to man.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Mon, 11th Feb 2013
Falling prices, NBN to boost videoconferencing market
The local market for videoconferencing products and services is "still quite buoyant" according to Garry Scarborough, acting country manager at LifeSize Communications.
Source: iTWire
NBN Co, strata tie-up to ease fibre into unit blocks
Strata Community Australia (SCA) has allied itself with NBN Co to make it easier for the network builder to get building access to multi-dwelling units as it rolls out the national network.
Source: iTnews Australia
Telstra links ADSL 'congestion pricing', deep packet trial
Telstra has linked a trial of deep packet inspection technology to a broader plan of attack against network congestion that also includes an unpopular plan to raise wholesale ADSL prices.
Source: iTnews Australia
Australia, NZ governments to regulate mobile roaming
The Australian and New Zealand governments have decided to regulate high trans-Tasman mobile roaming rates, following industry consultation and the commissioning of several market studies.
Source: iTnews Australia
Sun, 10th Feb 2013
Australia and NZ team up to tackle mobile roaming charges
Both governments will give their independent regulators new powers in a bid to bring down high trans-Tasman mobile roaming costs.
Source: ZDNet Australia
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