Broadband News
Wed, 13th Feb 2013
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
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