Broadband News

Tue, 25th Oct 2011

Discounts needed for low income earners to access NBN: ACCAN

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has proposed a broadband low income measures scheme, including discount wholesale prices, to enable Australians earning $26,000 a year or less to access to the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: Computerworld

VHA wary of NBN customer lock-in

While offering neither fixed line calls or fixed broadband services, Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) believes the National Broadband Network (NBN) will still deliver the telco an increase in business.

Source: Computerworld

Optus comfortable with provisions

Optus says anti-disparagement provisions included in its agreement with NBN Co will not restrict the telco's ability to market wireless products and services.

Source: ARN

NBN may diminish regional broadband services: Internode

Internode has warned that access to broadband services in regional areas may actually decrease under the National Broadband Network (NBN) due to the costs NBN Co charges retail service providers (RSPs) to supply services.

Source: Computerworld

Optus to delay NBN pricing

Optus says it is waiting on more clarity before publishing retail prices for services it will offer on the National Broadband Network.

Source: ARN

iCloud, iView cause iiNet unmetered issues

iiNet is starting to face challenges with its unmetered Freeview offering, with content from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation moving offshore and customers jumping onto Apple's iCloud causing headaches for chief technology officer Greg Bader.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Optus opens FetchTV to third-party ISP users

Optus has launched FetchTV for mobile and fixed-line customers, marking the first time that the internet protocol television product has been available to internet users on any ISP network.

Source: iTnews Australia

Internode calls for NBN compensation

Internode has put a price tag of up to $200,000 an exchange on the DSLAM investment it will lose in the transition to the National Broadband Network.

Source: iTnews Australia

Mon, 24th Oct 2011

Deadline for Telstra split looms: Quigley

The chief of the company building the federal government's National Broadband Network (NBN) says that he would be concerned if the competition watchdog and Telstra were unable to agree on structural separation undertakings by 20 December.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN hearing descends into design sledging

Malcolm Turnbull has today used a public hearing into the National Broadband Network (NBN) to once again criticise the network's cost and objectives, lambasting the government and NBN Co's chief Mike Quigley.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Optus offers fetchTV - over any broadband network

Optus has launched a limited version of the fetchTV IPTV service - minus streaming content - and in addition to making it available to Optus broadband customers is also offering it to all Optus post-paid mobile customers over any broadband network, for $9.95 per month.

Source: iTWire

Telstra to upgrade 200,000 phone lines to ADSL2+

Telstra has finally confirmed the existence of Project Top Hat, its plan to make ADSL2+ services available on an additional 200,000 phone lines presently limited to ADSL1 services because there is no space in street-side cabinets to add ADSL2+ equipment.

Source: iTWire

Photos: iiNet's third annual open day

iTnews joins about 300 customers and enthusiasts at iiNet's three-storey office in Subiaco, Perth.

Source: iTnews Australia

The connected home isn't as connected as it could be

It seems Australians' home networks are underutilised. Many Internet-enabled devices are not being connected, and therefore do not deliver to their full potential.

Source: iTWire

Voluntary internet filter hits progress snag

The Australian Federal Police has no gauge for the success of a voluntary internet filtering trial in its first months of operation apart from controversial redirect statistics provided by Telstra.

Source: iTnews Australia

ACCC, Telstra deal delay would cause some concern: NBN boss

The chief of NBN Co says he would be concerned if the competition watchdog and Telstra were unable to reach agreement on structural separation.

Source: ARN

Simplification removes NBN price hike clause

The National Broadband Network Company (NBN Co) will no longer ask to be able to increase prices by consumer price index plus 5 per cent as part of a simplification process of its special access undertaking (SAU), CEO Mike Quigley has confirmed.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra price controls under review

The government has initiated a review of the system under which the overall prices Telstra can charge for several 'baskets' of fixed line services are controlled by the Government.

Source: iTWire

NBN boss seeks price cap on phone calls

Wholesale prices for telephone calls should not rise above $24 a month as the National Broadband Network (NBN) is built, NBN Co's CEO Mike Quigley says.

Source: Computerworld

Fri, 21st Oct 2011

Connecting to the NBN: this is the network boundary point

The nuts and bolts of who's responsible for what when connecting your house to the NBN.

Source: PC Authority

Telstra retail price control review discussion paper released

The paper invites public comment on whether pricing restrictions on some of Telstra's fixed-line services should remain.

Source: ARN

ACMA staff ban work on NBN projects

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has made a last-minute pay offer to engineers in a bid to stave off a planned stop work today.

Source: iTnews Australia

Thu, 20th Oct 2011

NBN roll-out to 'maximise' local suppliers

NBN Co chief executive Mike Quigley has told a senate committee the national broadband network roll-out would make use of locally-produced product to the "maximum extent," dismissing analysis that Australian firms and Australian staff were being by-passed.

Source: iTWire

No pressure from govt on NBN deal: ACCC

The competition regulator says no pressure has been applied from the government to expedite the deal on the national broadband network (NBN) between the Commonwealth, NBN Co and Telstra.

Source: Computerworld

No govt pressure over NBN deal: ACCC

The competition regulator says that no pressure has been applied from the government to expedite the deal on the National Broadband Network (NBN) between the Commonwealth, NBN Co and Telstra.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN deal done, what now?

Telstra shareholders' acceptance of the NBN deal drags them kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Threat to open Internet as 32-bit addresses run out

A senior Internet Society (ISOC) contributor has warned of dire consequences including gradual degradation of the free and open internet that we enjoy today if the world does not start deploying and transitioning to IPv6 as a priority.

Source: Computerworld

NBN Co price backdown welcomed

The opposition has welcomed NBN Co's announcement to withdraw a request to increase wholesale broadband prices above the CPI.

Source: Australian IT

Wed, 19th Oct 2011

NBN committee to scrutinise Telstra deal

The Joint Committee on the National Broadband Network is to scrutinise the agreement between Telstra and the Government for Telstra's participation in the NBN, approved yesterday by Telstra shareholders.

Source: iTWire

NBN satellite plans on target for 2015

The NBN Company expects to make its purchasing decision for two satellites for the national broadband network within the next "couple of months" before turning its attention to finding a supplier for its earth-based satellite services.

Source: iTWire