Broadband News

Wed, 18th Jul 2012

Is 5G WiFi the most confusing term of 2012?

In case you thought you knew about 802.11ac it all gets a little more confusing with Broadcom pushing the term 5G WiFi.

Source: PC Authority

ACMA to re-introduce 05 numbers in 2017

Remember when Telstra offered its "One Number" service, which had numbers starting with 05 008 and 05 007? I do, because I had one at the time: 05 008 54321, but sadly, the numpties at Telstra at the time killed the service.

Source: iTWire

Telco equipment firms find no joy in 4G revolution

With data traffic from video downloads and on-the-go web surfers clogging up telecoms networks, mobile equipment makers such as Alcatel-Lucent and Nokia Siemens Networks should be booming.

Source: iTnews Australia

Mon, 16th Jul 2012

Conroy demands apology for false NBN claims

Senator Stephen Conroy has moved to reassure the Queensland regions of Townsville, Rockhampton and Mackay that they will receive the National Broadband Network (NBN) via fibre.

Source: Computerworld

Telstra launches prepaid LTE pocket WiFi hotspot

Telstra has made available a prepaid pocket WiFi hotspot that operates on its LTE network.

Source: iTWire

Optus switches on coverage in selected Sydney railway tunnels

Optus mobile customers in Sydney who use rail services on the city's North Shore and Western Lines will now receive mobile coverage through tunnels between Central and Chatswood stations, the telco announced today.

Source: ARN

Telstra's Wi-Fi 4G goes pre-paid

Telstra has announced the launch of its ninth 4G product in Australia, the Pre-Paid Wi-Fi 4G modem. The modem is available from tomorrow through Telstra stores and online.

Source: ARN

Submarine cable operators face US levy

Pacific submarine cable operators Southern Cross, OPT French Polynesia, Level 3 and PIPE Network have objected to a US Government proposal that would see them charged a 15.7 percent levy on quarterly revenues.

Source: iTnews Australia

Fri, 13th Jul 2012

Telstra to gain $8b under coalition plan: analysts

Telstra stands to gain $8.2 billion in compensation for selling its copper network to a future coalition-led Federal Government, according to Deutsche Bank analysts.

Source: iTnews Australia

Thu, 12th Jul 2012

ACCAN continues push for real-time data alerts

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network has continued to call for telcos to provide real-time data usage alerts, despite concessions by the media regulator on the issue.

Source: iTnews Australia

US company wins $280m NBN satellite equipment contract

US company ViaSat has won a contract from NBN Co worth at least $280 million to supply a Long Term Satellite Service (LTSS) for the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: Computerworld

Forget about Angry Birds, the NBN has Hungry Birds

Forget about Angry Birds, the National Broadband Network [NBN] has got its first Hungry Birds. Or, to be more specific, the Hungry Birds Cafe in Brunswick, Victoria.

Source: ARN

Wed, 11th Jul 2012

Coalition's NBN criticisms 'absurd' says Phil Ruthven

Leading futurist and social commentator, Phil Ruthven, has branded as "absurd" any suggestions that the NBN is a huge and wasteful expense.

Source: iTWire

Vodafone grabs Huawei pre-paid phones

Vodafone will exclusively sell two new low-cost Huawei Android phones in Australia on pre-paid plans, it was announced today.

Source: ARN

Megaupload founder offers deal to the US

Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom has offered to do a deal with U.S. prosecutors, who are seeking his extradition from New Zealand to the U.S.

Source: Computerworld

Telcos given six weeks to improve customer service

Telcos have been given six weeks to improve customer service standards on complaints handling, advertising and credit management, as the media watchdog prepares to register a revised code governing the industry.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN to create Australia's 'Last Spike' moment

The NBN will change education irrevocably, in the same way that the construction of railroads did so, long ago.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Tue, 10th Jul 2012

New Billion routers match NBN throughput

If you need a new ADSL wireless router but you're also expecting to move to an NBN fibre connection within the device's lifetime, Billion thinks it has the answer.

Source: iTWire

Watchdog mulls naked mandate for Telstra

Telstra could be forced to wholesale naked DSL services over its copper infrastructure for the first time, under a new proposal from the competition watchdog.

Source: iTnews Australia

DNSChanger shutdown misses 'internet doomsday'

US authorities have officially cut off servers in New York put in place to direct internet traffic for computers infected with the DNSChanger malware.

Source: iTnews Australia

Mon, 09th Jul 2012

Smart TVs new Web threat frontier

Lack of security measures such as antivirus and intrusion detection system means Internet-connected TVs susceptible to online scams and bot campaigns too, security watchers warn.

Source: ZDNet Australia

"First NBN era ISP" AusBBS recruits former OzEmail CFO and CTO to its board

AusBBS (Australian Broadband Services) - which bills itself as "the first NBN Generation ISP" - has named Ian McGregor as non-executive chairman and Andrew Kent as non-executive director and technology strategy advisor.

Source: iTWire

Telstra rolls internet, TV to BHP Billiton camp

Telstra is deploying its hosted 'Smart Camp' entertainment system at a new BHP Billiton Iron Ore accommodation camp in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

Source: iTnews Australia

Fri, 06th Jul 2012

Thousands of Australians still facing web blackout

Despite repeated alerts, thousands of Australians may still lose their internet service come early next week unless they do a quick check of their computers for malware that could have taken over their machines more than a year ago.

Source: SMH

Facebook invests in APAC undersea cable

Social networking giant invests undisclosed sum in Asian undersea cable project to boost Web speeds in region, hence giving better experience to its users here, report says.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra price hikes a premium play

Recent increases in pricing for Telstra's mobile bundle and broadband plans indicate a move back to the telco's premium price position in the market, according to analysts.

Source: iTnews Australia

Telstra replaces rusting Cocos Islands antenna

Telstra has replaced a 30-year-old satellite dish on the Cocos Islands that provides connectivity to its 600 residents.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN vs. the world: The New Zealand experience

Australia has had a longstanding rivalry with New Zealand, and now the two countries are competing on a new front, with the rollout of high speed broadband networks occurring in both.

Source: Computerworld

Thu, 05th Jul 2012

Coalition policy leaked

The Coalition's policy points have been leaked. Are there any surprises in broadband policy?

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra accused of Next G web 'stalking'

Telstra has been criticised by the chief scientist of one of the web's most prominent organisations for "stalking" millions of Next G mobile phone users by sending a third party in Canada the websites they visited.

Source: SMH