Broadband News

Fri, 28th Sep 2012

Conroy's folly is not considering FTTN for NBN, Vocus says

James Spenceley, CEO at ASX-listed company Vocus Communications, says that fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) technology should make up part of the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: Computerworld

Multicast delivers TV innovation and interactivity for ISPs

Telcos and internet service providers are now able to sign up to use NBN Co's Multicast feature.

Source: ARN

Thu, 27th Sep 2012

ASIC seeks power to read your emails, texts

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission has called for sweeping phone call and internet data to be made available for its war on white collar crime.

Source: SMH

Telstra: Not the carrier of choice for terrorists

Telstra has said that terrorists and criminal syndicates don't choose Telstra as their telecommunications provider because the company works closely with law-enforcement agencies.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN moves to opt-out installation model

Home owners no longer have to consent to government-owned NBN Co installing fibre optic connections on their property, with the company moving from its cumbersome consent system to automatic installation.

Source: SMH

Equinix builds direct link to Southern Cross Cables Network

Datacentres provider, Equinix has housed a direct link to the Southern Cross Cables Network, helping its customers see further reduction in latency and ability to directly access the Southern Cross capacity.

Source: ARN

Wed, 26th Sep 2012

South Morang switches on to the NBN

The National Broadband Network (NBN) has been switched on at South Morang in Victoria, covering 2300 premises.

Source: Computerworld

Police want phone, web data kept indefinitely

Australia's police commissioners want to help draft laws that would allow them to access the public's telecommunications data for up to two years.

Source: SMH

NBN enables Aussie Rules coaching session

The country's newest fibre broadband location in South Morang in Victoria is today hosting the first ever National Broadband Network (NBN)-enabled sports training session with two of the country's biggest sporting legends as Melbourne gears up for Saturday' AFL grand final.

Source: iTWire

Optus can level the 4G playing field

Optus could very well find itself able to match Telstra's wireless coverage for the first time ever.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN Co builds own MPLS network

NBN Co has begun work on an internal multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) network as part of its operations and billing support system.

Source: iTnews Australia

Tue, 25th Sep 2012

'Thousands' in new housing developments waiting for NBN: Turnbull

Turnbull has claimed that the biggest issue facing NBN Co is the thousands of people who are waiting for NBN connections in new housing developments.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Cisco lands 5-year $38m NBN contract

Cisco has landed a $38 million contract to provide equipment for the National Broadband Network's (NBN) national data connectivity network (NCN).

Source: ARN

Coalition's NBN to achieve 25Mbps to 80Mbps?

Malcolm Turnbull has revealed speeds the Coalition’s NBN could achieve, with speeds of 25Mbps to 80Mbps expected on its version of the NBN based on the broadband experience in the UK.

Source: Computerworld

Mon, 24th Sep 2012

Turnbull attacks Quigley over NBN management

Shadow communications minister Malcolm Turnbull has suggested an executive shake-up at NBN Co would likely be one of the first courses of action under a future coalition government, despite previous indications he would be willing to work with chief executive Mike Quigley.

Source: iTnews Australia

Screenshots: The coalition's broadband survey

What to expect if you don't want to click.

Source: iTnews Australia

Turnbull won't deliver NBN, Conroy says

Communications minister Senator Stephen Conroy has lambasted Malcolm Turnbull for launching a broadband survey without detailing the Coalition's National Broadband Network (NBN) policy.

Source: Computerworld

Optus joins Telstra, Vodafone on emergency alerts upgrade

All three mobile carriers have signed on to provide emergency alerts over their mobile networks when customers are in an area experiencing an emergency, such as a bushfire or terrorist attack.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Turnbull launches broadband survey, but still no costed NBN plan

Malcolm Turnbull, shadow minister for communications and broadband, has launched a broadband survey to determine where the worst performing areas are in Australia to prioritise where the NBN needs to be rolled out.

Source: Computerworld

Eftel buys Engin for $9.1m

Eftel has bought VoIP provider Engin from parent company Seven Group for $9.1 million, adding to a growing arsenal of service providers and broadband companies owned by the ISP.

Source: iTnews Australia

20% of Australians still not online in 2011: UN Broadband Commission

A report issued by the UN's Broadband Commission for Digital Development, established by the International Telecommunications Union and UNESCO, has pegged Australia at 21st in the world when it comes to internet access, with 21 per cent of Australians not using the Internet in 2011.

Source: Computerworld

No need for consumers to pay for dispute resolution - Ombusdman

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) is supporting recommendations made by NSW's Energy and Water Ombudsman to raise awareness of free Ombudsman services to consumers who are thinking about using a Credit Repair Agency.

Source: iTWire

Turnbull launches survey to inform NBN priorities

The Federal Opposition is launching a survey to help a future Coalition government decide which areas to prioritise for faster broadband services.

Source: ABC

Fri, 21st Sep 2012

ASIO, Roxon defend data-retention proposal

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and Attorney-General Nicola Roxon have released public submissions explaining why they believe retaining telecommunications customer metadata is vital.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Internode releases $60 mobile plan

iiNet subsidiary Internode has extended its NodeMobile voice service range by launching a $60 a month plan that removes the limits from its included standard calls, texts and calls to NodeMobile.

Source: iTWire

ACMA to crack down on illegal repeaters

The Australian Communications and Media Authority will spend the next year targeting devices like illegal mobile repeaters and jammers that interfere with radiofrequency spectrum.

Source: iTnews Australia

Vocus quadruples Australia-US subsea capacity

Internet wholesaler Vocus has increased its capacity on the Southern Cross Cable linking Australia and New Zealand to the US by four times, in a move to consolidate its agreements and meet future requirements.

Source: iTnews Australia

Wed, 19th Sep 2012

NBN Co opens Gold Coast call centre

NBN Co has officially opened its new NBN contact centre on the Gold Coast.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN offers slim pickings for smaller ISPs

Michael Blake, co-founder of Adelaide ISP Nuskope, says it will cost up to $2.42 million for an RSP to provide Australia-wide services for the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: Computerworld

NBN committee schedules Kiwi hearings

The joint Parliamentary committee overseeing progress of the National Broadband Network has called on New Zealand politicians and telcos to provide evidence on the country's equivalent fibre rollout next week.

Source: iTnews Australia