Broadband News

Fri, 18th Jan 2013

ACCC seeks TPG High Court appeal

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has announced that it will appeal a court decision that found that most of TPG's broadband ads were not misleading.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN fixed wireless locations announced for SA

Fixed wireless locations for the National Broadband Network (NBN) have been announced for South Australia.

Source: Computerworld

NBN arrives in Western Sydney

NBN Co is finalising construction of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in Blacktown, with fibre optic cable hauled into completed fibre pits off Blacktown Road.

Source: iTnews Australia

ACCC seeks to take TPG to High Court over broadband ads

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is seeking leave to take internet service provider TPG to the High Court.

Source: Computerworld

Australia lends comms support for satellite switch-off

Geoscience Australia providing communications support for the decommissioning of an Earth observation satellite that has been capturing image data for 25 years beyond its expected design life.

Source: iTnews Australia

Thu, 17th Jan 2013

Lockyer Valley to receive $665k for NBN training services

The local community of Lockyer Valley will get more than $665,000 and free expert advice for embracing the National Broadband Network (NBN), as part of the Gillard Government's new training program.

Source: ARN

Telstra and Visionstream sign $90m NBN contract

Telstra has signed a $90 million National Broadband Network (NBN) contract with Visionstream to provision services for the network.

Source: Computerworld

Telstra expands 4G data speed horizons

Telstra is pursuing international roaming agreements in countries that have 4G networks compatible with its own to allow customers access to faster data rates when they are overseas.

Source: iTnews Australia

Wed, 16th Jan 2013

Anittel connects first NBN commercial service in Armidale

The two-year contract was finalised late last year and the NBN connection went live in November.

Source: ARN

Internode offers Fringe Favourites service

As part of its Adelaide Fringe Festival sponsorship, Internet service provider (ISP), Internode, has launched a free Web-based ‘Fringe Favourites’ service that enables attendees to plan and share their festival itineraries.

Source: ARN

ACMA to upgrade spectrum monitor system

Australia's communications regulator is pushing ahead with a major overhaul of the infrastructure it uses to keep tabs on spectrum usage and to identify sources of interference.

Source: iTnews Australia

Tue, 15th Jan 2013

Vodafone Australia brings an end to Crazy John's

Vodafone has announced that it will put an end to the Crazy John's brand and close a number of its stores from February 20, 2013.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN training centre launched in Adelaide

An National Broadband Network (NBN) training centre in Adelaide has been opened today.

Source: Computerworld

Perth-Singapore cable severed

A cut in the Sea-Me-We 3 cable between Perth and Singapore is causing Australian providers to re-route traffic and is causing email issues for New Zealand's largest telco, Telecom NZ.

Source: iTnews Australia

Sea-Me-We 3 undersea cable cut

An undersea cable between Australia and Singapore has been cut, affecting Telecom Xtra customers.

Source: Computerworld

Password life expectancy down to seconds

End-user generated passwords continue to have little defense against hackers, according to Deloitte Canada.

Source: ZDNet Australia

"Sneaky" Telstra phishing email does the rounds

A "particularly sneaky" phishing email is doing the rounds of Telstra customers. The email says that the recipient's online bill is now available and directs the customer to click on an attachment.

Source: Computerworld

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