Broadband News

Mon, 25th Jun 2012

Mozilla's new silent update fails to boost Firefox 13's uptake

Mozilla's new silent updater has not sped up the migration to Firefox 13, according to usage statistics compiled by an Irish metrics company.

Source: Computerworld

Google flags 13 million searches a day

Google has revealed that about 13 million searches a day yield warnings about hacked sites that have had content changed or malicious links added.

Source: iTnews Australia

What does .Google want with 101 new .domains, anyway?

Google's plan for the new top-level domains (TLDs) it gets is unlike most other big tech firms; it wants to offer them up to the public.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Eftel buys the 'other' Westnet

Eftel is to acquire the assets of Western Australia based ISP West Australian Networks, which operates under the domain www.westnet.net.au: confusingly similar to that of iiNet's Westnet subsidiary.

Source: iTWire

ICANN picks new chief

Internet domain names body ICANN has appointed a new chief executive to take on some of the major challenges facing the non-profit body in the near future.

Source: iTnews Australia

Fri, 22nd Jun 2012

ACCC gives Telstra adjudicator the tick

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has approved the nomination of Dr Rob Nicholls for the role of Independent Telecommunications Adjudicator (ITA), to oversee disputes between Telstra and its fixed-line wholesale customers.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Internet usage charge disputes skyrocket: TIO

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) has reported a dramatic year-on-year up-tick in complaints relating to disputed internet usage charges and financial over-commitment caused by inadequate spend management tools.

Source: Computerworld

Photos: Telstra's LTE upgrade

A look at the towers that run the show.

Source: iTnews Australia

Thu, 21st Jun 2012

Gradual increase in IPv6 traffic seen in June

IPv6 traffic didn’t spike on World IPv6 Day, but did see a gradual and significant increase starting two weeks before the actual day, 6 June, according to Arbor Networks. Internet Protocol version 6 traffic grew from 0.06 per cent to 0.15 per cent in that period, it said.

Source: Computerworld

Tech firms own best workplaces list

Technology companies have made a strong showing in BRW's 50 best places to work list, performing just as well as they did last year.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Apple fined more than $2m over 4G claim

The Federal Court has fined technology giant Apple $2.25 million for misleading consumers over its latest iPad.

Source: Computerworld

NBN Co scales back 30-year regulation

NBN Co is preparing to significantly scale back plans to lock in regulation surrounding the National Broadband Network for 30 years in a bid to have the framework approved by the competition watchdog.

Source: iTnews Australia

Retro looks, killer features: AVM Fritz!Box Fon WLAN 7390 & Fritz!Fon MT-F review

It might look like it's been yanked straight out of an episode of The Jetsons, but this retro-styled modem/router packs some seriously high-tech features.

Source: APC Magazine

Wed, 20th Jun 2012

NBN Co to split 30-year undertaking

NBN Co has bowed to pressure from the telecommunications industry, and will release a revised access undertaking to address issues that the industry has been raising since last year.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN Co wants to retain discretion over pricing

NBN Co will lodge a revised Special Access Undertaking (SAU) with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), following feedback from customers and the ACCC.

Source: Computerworld

Amazon launches Sydney edge node

Amazon Web Services has officially launched its first caching service in Australia, reigniting years-old rumours that the cloud giant intends to set up shop locally.

Source: iTnews Australia

More NBN fixed wireless locations announced

Up to 5000 homes and businesses will be switched onto the National Broadband Network (NBN) around Cairns from mid next year.

Source: Computerworld

NBN halts own rulebook approval for telcos

NBN Co has halted its existing application for competition rules on the fibre network and will resubmit a new application in coming months.

Source: SMH

TPG fined $2m for misleading ads

Internet service provider TPG has been fined $2 million for running "seriously misleading" ads for its unlimited ADSL products over more than a year.

Source: iTnews Australia

Co-location datacentre facilities top priority for new NextDC CEO

Datacentre provider, NextDC has set a clear strategy for delivering a national network at co-location datacentres and will be focusing on building those facilities over the course of the next 12 months, its new CEO, Craig Scroggie, said.

Source: ARN

Google finds 9500 malicious sites daily

Google has detailed the amount of malware its Safe Browsing keeps away from users, and hints at scanning Chrome extensions.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN Co ditches Fujitsu for greenfield work

NBN Co has cut ties with Fujitsu for future fibre rollouts to greenfield premises amid concerns over continued delays to connection of new homes to the National Broadband Network.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN Co accelerates fibre deployment in new estates

NBN Co is accelerating the deployment of fibre to new housing developments, signing two contracts worth $183 million over 19 months.

Source: Computerworld

Tue, 19th Jun 2012

Govt delays 4G spectrum auction to 2013

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has flagged a delay in the "digital dividend" spectrum auction to April 2013, allowing more time to prepare waterfront 4G spectrum for auction.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Optus to build 4G testing base

Optus has unveiled plans to build two new Sydney facilities aimed at testing compatibility between varying mobile broadband technologies and its existing network.

Source: iTnews Australia

R18+ rating finally hits Australia, but states/territories will need to follow suit

The Australian video games industry has welcomed the R18+ classification for video games following a 10-year push from video game industry organisations, specialist press outlets, retailers, and consumers.

Source: ARN

Ex-ACCC GM tipped to be telco adjudicator

Telstra has nominated former ACCC general manager Dr Rob Nicholls as the inaugural Independent Telecommunications Adjudicator (ITA) to oversee disputes between Telstra and its fixed-line wholesale customers.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra plugs $35m into Ooyala for IPTV

Telstra has invested $35 million in US-based IPTV video company Ooyala, in a move that will see Telstra integrate Ooyala's technology into its IPTV platform.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Mon, 18th Jun 2012

ACMA registers new mobile tower code

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has formally registered a new telecommunications industry code of conduct aimed at improving community consultation for the deployment of mobile base stations.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Aus asks Google to take down more content

The number of items that Australian law enforcement and government agencies have requested Google to take down in the last six months have skyrocketed, but their success rate is at an all time low, according to the internet giant's latest statistics.

Source: ZDNet Australia