Broadband News

Sat, 31st Dec 2011

Angry customers still on-hold over Telstra privacy breach

Angry Telstra customers who said their personal details were revealed online in its latest privacy breach, say they still have not contacted by the telco.

Source: SMH

Wed, 28th Dec 2011

Farmer lobby groups call for NBN fibre

Agricultural interest groups have pushed the Australian Government to consider rolling out optical networks beyond the 93 percent planned under the National Broadband Network.

Source: iTnews Australia

Fri, 23rd Dec 2011

iiNode deal makes sense, can Hackett stay vocal?

The analyst consensus on iiNet buying Internode is that the deal makes a lot of sense, but it would be a loss to the industry if Simon Hackett stopped being a strong voice.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Press Council finds News Limited misled over NBN

The News Limited-owned Daily Telegraph has been found to have published inaccurate and misleading information in its coverage of the National Broadband Network.

Source: iTnews Australia

Lawmakers ask ICANN to delay generic TLD plan

A group of U.S. representatives has asked the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to delay its plan to begin rolling out new generic top-level domains in early 2012.

Source: Computerworld

IPv6 due for wide deployment in 2012, experts say

This was the year that IPv6 garnered major headlines, but 2012 is expected to be the year when the next-generation Internet protocol gets widely deployed by U.S. carriers and enterprises.

Source: ARN

Thu, 22nd Dec 2011

Internode wanted iiNet's numbers for NBN

With the looming roll-out of the National Broadband Network (NBN), Internode founder Simon Hackett was worried that his internet service provider just wouldn't be big enough on its own to succeed.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN's benefits a lure for cyber crime

Under its corporate plan, NBN Co is tasked with delivering broadband services of up to 100 megabits per second (Mb/s) to the 93 per cent of Australian homes eventually serviced by its fibre network. However, recent warnings from cyber security experts in both the New South Wales and Victorian Police suggest that consumers, service providers and regulators should be considering the security risks posed by the very characteristics identified as benefits of the NBN.

Source: iTWire

iiNet to acquire Internode for $105m

Perth-based ISP iiNet has agreed to acquire privately-held Adelaide-based ISP Internode for $105 million in a deal that creates a broadband powerhouse to challenge the might of Telstra and Optus.

Source: iTnews Australia

iiNet to buy Internode

iiNet has announced that it will acquire rival South Australian internet service provider (ISP) Internode for $105 million.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Aussies want parental control from ISPs, and they'd like it for free

Australians would like parental controls on the internet at an ISP level, according to a poll just published, and they'd like it for free, so they can block websites with gambling or adult content from reaching their kids.

Source: iTWire

Firefox 9 delivers "30% speed boost"

Latest version of the Firefox 9 browser offers improved JavaScript performance.

Source: PC Authority

Optus preps for Christmas network spike

Optus is rolling out network upgrades to holiday hotspots as it prepares for the onslaught of Christmas cheer.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Wed, 21st Dec 2011

Comment sought on NBN access

The competition watchdog wants public comments on a framework for how services can access the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: Computerworld

Vodafone relapse will lead to fines: ACMA

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued two directions to Vodafone for failing to comply with the Telecommunications Consumer Protection (TCP) Code over its highly publicised network issues a year ago, warning the company that it may face a $250,000 fine.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Swan to open longest fibre optic link

Australia's longest-ever fibre optic link, stretching 3800 kilometres from Darwin to Toowoomba, is about to begin operation.

Source: ARN

Visionstream to build NBN wireless network

Leighton subsidiary Visionstream has picked up its second large government deal in as many weeks, winning a contract to construct the fixed wireless component of the National Broadband Network.

Source: iTnews Australia

Tue, 20th Dec 2011

Mobile-number shortfall prompts changes

Australian mobile-phone numbers could start with digits other than "04" under a plan to meet increasing demand for mobile services.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Nextgen finishes NBN Regional Backbone Blackspots Program

Fibre provider, Nextgen Networks, has completed the last component of the Federal Government’s $250 million Regional Backbone Blackspots Program (RBBP) in the Northern Territory.

Source: Computerworld

Comms Alliance to develop guidelines for end-to-end performance over NBN

Communications Alliance is planning to develop guidelines for the end-to-end performance of Internet Protocol networks, such as the NBN.

Source: iTWire

Vodafone entry affirms NBN model: Conroy

Communications minister, Stephen Conroy, says the entry of global mobile telecommunications company Vodafone into the local fixed-line phone market underpins the government's National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: Computerworld

Darwin prepares for cheaper broadband

Internet service providers are set to install ADSL2+ equipment in Darwin suburbs in the coming weeks as the Federal Government switches on a backhaul cable linking the Northern Territory capital to Toowoomba in Queensland.

Source: iTnews Australia

US regulator frets over gTLD expansion

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has stepped into the ongoing debate around plans for a "rapid" expansion of generic top-level domains on the internet, claiming further web domains would only increase increase "risk of a lawless frontier".

Source: iTnews Australia

Mon, 19th Dec 2011

Vodafone trials fetchtv and femtocells over NBN

Vodafone has connected its first customers to the National Broadband Network, in Armidale: a move that marks its first foray into fixed network offerings. 

Source: iTWire

Second British ISP blocks file sharing site

British internet service provider Sky has become the second to block file sharing site Newzbin 2 site over piracy claims.

Source: iTnews Australia

Top 10 Influential 2011: NBN

No technology topic (with the possible exception of the Cloud) has generated more Australian headlines and stories in 2011 than the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: Computerworld

Sun, 18th Dec 2011

Arts Council joins the NBN bandwagon

The Australia Council for the Arts offering funding of $300,000 "pioneering ideas that show the cultural potential of next generation high-capacity broadband."

Source: iTWire

Fri, 16th Dec 2011

Qantas to trial in-flight internet

Not to be outdone by Virgin, Qantas has today announced that it will enable in-flight internet access for passengers travelling on its flagship A380 aircraft.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra rivals welcome wholesale inquiry

The Competitive Carriers' Coalition has welcomed a snap inquiry into wholesale ADSL by Australia's competition regulator as a move to "reinstate telecommunications regulation".

Source: iTnews Australia

ACCC re-regulates wholesale services in all previously exempt Telstra exchange areas

The ACCC has revoked a ruling that exempted Telstra from being required to provide wholesale services at regulated prices from some 200 exchanges.

Source: iTWire