Broadband News

Wed, 18th Apr 2012

NBN Co refutes Turnbull's claims of reckless satellite planning

NBN has wheeled out the big guns - the International Telecommunication Union - to refute claims by Malcolm Turnbull that it is being reckless in commissioning geostationary satellites without first securing orbital slots for them.

Source: iTWire

NBN rollout at snail's pace: Turnbull

The rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) is happening "with the determination and velocity of an arthritic snail", says opposition communications spokesman, Malcolm Turnbull.

Source: ARN

Telco consumer code lacking: ACMA

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will formally consider the new Telecommunications Consumer Protection (TCP) code at a meeting tomorrow, but has indicated that more work needs to be done to meet its expectations.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN Co reaches to ITU for satellite assurance

NBN Co has sought assurances from the International Telecommunications Union that it could still launch long-term satellites in 2015, despite currently lacking orbital slots for the craft.

Source: iTnews Australia

AARNet upgrades high speed broadband project

Southern Cross Cable Networks (SCCN) has extended its partnership with Australian Academic and Research Network (AARNet) to sponsor the Southern Cross Trans-Pacific Optical Research Test (SXTransPORT) project, which provides a high bandwidth connection for research and education purposes between Australia and other countries.

Source: Computerworld

NBN alternative a huge saving, says Turnbull

Many of the benefits of the national broadband network could be delivered for one-third to one-quarter of the price, the opposition communications spokesman, Malcolm Turnbull, will tell telecommunication business leaders today.

Source: SMH

Tue, 17th Apr 2012

How the Internet helps spread STDs

US researchers have found strong correlation between the increased incidence of sexually transmitted disease in different areas of the USA and the entry of online classifieds site Craigslist into the those markets.

Source: iTWire

Internode MD: Time to bin NBN anti-cherry-picking laws

Anti-cherry-picking laws introduced by the Government to prevent high-speed fibre networks from competing with the National Broadband Network (NBN), are now obsolete and should be discarded, according to Internode managing director, Simon Hackett.

Source: ARN

Quigley, Turnbull clash over NBN satellites

NBN Co CEO Mike Quigley and Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday clashed over risks associated with NBN Co's satellite launch.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN Co faces secrecy probe on commercial sensitivity

Federal Attorney-General Nicola Roxon has targeted legislative exemptions used by NBN Co in assessing freedom of information requests from the public and media in an initial review into the company's compliance with the FoI Act.

Source: iTnews Australia

Telstra's NBN plans affect staff

Telstra is set to outline by the end of April a massive restructure of its workforce as it switches from the ageing copper network to the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: ZDNet Australia

Internode MD: No more room for national players post-NBN

There isn't much consolidation left in the fixed-line broadband market and it is too late now to become a national ISP thanks to the National Broadband Network (NBN), according to Internode managing director, Simon Hackett.

Source: ARN

Web freedom faces greatest threat

The principles of openness and universal access that underpinned the Internet's creation are facing their greatest-ever threat, the co-founder of Google Sergey Brin said in an interview published by Britain's Guardian newspaper on Monday.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN wrap: No bias, freedom of information, and Telstra warning

NBN Co chief executive, Mike Quigley, has rejected accusations of bias towards Labor marginal seats in Brisbane in the choice of sites to get the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: ARN

Mon, 16th Apr 2012

Govt to spend more to stimulate NBN use

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has invited applications for a third round of funds under the Government's digital hubs and digital enterprise programs.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN Co chief says rollout plan not political

NBN Co chief executive, Mike Quigley, has rejected accusations of bias towards Labor marginal seats in Brisbane in the choice of sites to get the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: Computerworld

Govt to review freedom of info for NBN Co

The federal government will review how freedom of information laws apply to the company rolling out the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: Computerworld

Intercept laws hamper local user privacy

Plans to establish an internet service provider in the US that would block government requests for user information or surveillance would fail at the first hurdle locally, according to experts.

Source: iTnews Australia

SAIC commits to major NBN security centre in Melbourne

Global technology R&D giant SAIC has committed to providing 50 new jobs over the next three years while focusing on initiatives around the National Broadband Network with the establishment of a a regional cyber security research and development centre in Melbourne.

Source: iTWire

NBN a 'game changer' for regional Australia, inquiry told

The National Broadband Network (NBN) will be a game changer for regional Australia, allowing major telecommunication firms to enter the broadband market for the first time, a joint parliamentary committee has heard.

Source: Computerworld

Vodafone: Public needs more clarity on Telstra to NBN migration

Consumers need to be given more information on how services will be gradually moved from Telstra's copper infrastructure to the National Broadband Network (NBN), according to Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA).

Source: ARN

Vodafone sees challenges in NBN entry

Vodafone has admitted that it is tough for new entrants to launch services on the National Broadband Network (NBN), and has called on the government to publicise the improved competition on the $35.9 billion project.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Fri, 13th Apr 2012

iiNet-AFACT judgment out next week

After over four months of deliberation, the High Court is set to hand down its judgment for the long-running copyright infringement case between the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) and iiNet next Friday.

Source: ZDNet Australia

TransACT wins cherry-picking exemptions

Canberra-based fibre network provider TransACT has secured an exemption from the government's anti-cherry-picking network laws for a number of its fibre roll-outs.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Greens target mobile tower emission audits

Greens senator Bob Brown has slammed government bodies for failing to independently audit mobile phone towers to determine their electromagnetic emissions on surrounding communities.

Source: iTnews Australia

Optus calls for 4G spectrum auction clarity

Optus has called on the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to provide definite dates for the auction of the 700MHz spectrum band and the availability of that spectrum for use in long-term evolution (LTE) networks.

Source: ZDNet Australia

TransACT secures Canberra upgrade path

iiNet subsidiary TransACT has agreed to complete the long-running upgrade of its fibre-to-the-node network in Canberra thanks to an exemption to NBN cherry-picking legislation granted by the Federal Government.

Source: iTnews Australia

Thu, 12th Apr 2012

Telstra upgrades to address Next G stress

Telstra is addressing the strain on its Next G network, caused by signing up 2.5 million new mobile customers in the last 18 months, with a number of upgrades - but the company believes that the network is still performing well.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra attacks Qld for telco discrimination

Telstra is taking the Queensland Government to court for allegedly overcharging the telco on leases of land for its equipment.

Source: ZDNet Australia

People 'can't stop' phone towers

Communities are powerless to stop telcos building phone towers close to homes, a federal parliamentary inquiry has been told.

Source: The Australian