Broadband News

Tue, 30th Aug 2011

Telstra rep implied Huawei a risk: cable

A Telstra official allegedly implied that Optus, using Huawei gear in its bid for the roll-out of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in 2008, would pose a national security risk, according to a leaked confidential US Embassy cable from Wikileaks.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN Co begins smart grid talks

NBN Co has kicked off preliminary talks with NSW electricity distributor Ausgrid over potential collaboration in the roll out of a smart grid and the fibre network across New South Wales.

Source: iTnews Australia

Mon, 29th Aug 2011

Optus 3G Home Zone

Whatever your philosophical leanings about paying to fill in Optus' network blackspots, there is a lot to like about the Home Zone service.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Busted: Top ten internet history myths debunked

From Al Gore's baby to the 'first' Web browser, our resident myth buster debunks some of the most persistent internet fallacies.

Source: PC Authority

Internet death worm found

A worm has been found attempting to hijack computers via the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) used commonly for tech support.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN will worsen piracy: leaked cable

A 2010 cable from the Canberra Embassy to the White House, outed by Wikileaks last week, warns that the roll-out of the National Broadband Network (NBN) will worsen the levels of copyright theft in Australia.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Fri, 26th Aug 2011

Next-gen telco chip to speed up submarine links

Researchers have designed a silicon chip that could replace trays of power-hungry electronics in next-generation optical telecommunications networks.

Source: iTnews Australia

Internode beats carbon forecasts for telepresence

Australian internet service provider Internode has exceeded initial carbon reduction estimates through its telepresence system.

Source: iTnews Australia

Action needed on NBN uptake

A Labor-dominated committee has found that a government strategy is needed to boost uptake of the National Broadband Network.

Source: Australian IT

Thu, 25th Aug 2011

We will need 100Mbps, we just have to convince the Coalition

The Coalition has once again repeated its now jaded argument against the NBN: there is no hard evidence to support the idea that we need the 100Mbps that the FTTH network will deliver. Maybe not, but there are portents aplenty. Coalition pundits just need to be a bit more visionary.

Source: iTWire

Libs etch telehealth as NBN battleground

Liberal MP Paul Fletcher attacked claims made by the National Broadband Network wholesaler this week, arguing that applications and verticals that NBN Co targeted did not in fact require the network to be built.

Source: iTnews Australia

Fed Govt report says more NBN demand needed to meet supply

The Federal Government has tabled a report into the role and potential of the National Broadband Network (NBN), highlighting the need for initiatives to drive demand for services delivered by the high speed network.

Source: Computerworld

Huawei backs NBN committee report

Huawei Australia has backed a new report on the role and potential of the NBN.

Source: ARN

Reps NBN report branded a 'feel-good' failure to demonstrate NBN demand

The Coalition has dismissed a House committee report on the NBN as "a highly political exercise, designed to generate a feel-good report offering support for the rollout of the NBN," that fails to demonstrate demand for NBN bandwidths.

Source: iTWire

Government must do more to support NBN uptake, says Reps Committee

A parliamentary report says much work remains to be done by Government to nurture demand for high bandwidth NBN services and foster the development of new applications that will take advantage of the NBN.

Source: iTWire

Optus reforms after call complaints

Optus has entered an enforceable undertaking to overhaul its telemarketing systems following an investigation held by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra nabs iiNet's customer guru

Internet service provider iiNet has confirmed the departure of its customer service general manager Paul Cahill after nine years with the company.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN Co's wireless admission

The NBN Co admits that wireless internet services in some areas could rival to the speed of basic services on the fibre network.

Source: Australian IT

Wed, 24th Aug 2011

Macquarie Telecom pens NBN deal

Macquarie Telecom (ASX: MAQ) has become the latest telco to sign a trial agreement with on the National Broadband Network (NBN) wholesaler, NBN Co, beginning a program to take advantage of the network once it becomes operational.

Source: Computerworld

NBN critic Vocus sees its benefits

Dark fibre provider and datacentre company Vocus has predicted that it stands to benefit from the roll-out of the National Broadband Network (NBN), despite being a member of the Alliance for Affordable Broadband, a strident critic of the NBN project.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra to roll out IPv6 to all customers

Telstra has confirmed that it will be set to roll out IPv6 later this year to all customers following impending IPv6 trials for its enterprise customers.

Source: Computerworld

NBN Co talks up competition from mobile services

NBN Co's submission to the ACCC on Telstra's structural separation undertakings goes to great lengths to counter the argument that restrictions stopping Telstra marketing mobile services as a direct substitute for the fixed network NBN will be detrimental to mobile competition, but in so doing it once again raises the spectre of the NBN being undermined by mobile broadband services.

Source: iTWire

NBN Co: Killing Telstra copper is the only solution

Decommissioning Telstra's copper network and migrating all its residential customers on to the National Broadband Network (NBN) is the only viable way to ensure positive outcomes for both the telco industry and consumers, according to NBN Co and the Department of Broadband.

Source: ARN

6 Telstra customer service fails

What do you do when you find yourself with a faulty phone and the store refuses to replace it? Persist and speak to other people within the company until you reach someone who can help you.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Tue, 23rd Aug 2011

Lib MPs 'breaking ranks' to push for NBN

Liberal MPs are anxiously lobbying the government to have the NBN rolled out in their electorates, despite their party's opposition to the network.

Source: Australian IT

NBN backhaul costs hit little telcos: ispONE

Ceo of wholesale broadband provider ispONE, Zac Swindells, believes the government needs to address the lack of competitive backhaul in regional Australia in order to woo smaller internet service providers (ISPs) to offer services in those areas.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Prices to go up and up on NBN: Turnbull

Australians will pay more for broadband services from a National Broadband Network (NBN) than via current service providers, opposition communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull says.

Source: ZDNet Australia

EFTel buys out Platform Networks

ASX-listed internet service provider EFTel has bought sub-wholesale operator Platform Networks for an undisclosed sum.

Source: iTnews Australia

Turnbull warns of above CPI NBN price rises

Opposition communications minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has warned that a special access undertaking (SAU) lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) could see National Broadband Network (NBN) prices rise dramatically in future years.

Source: Computerworld

Turnbull's NBN Co price warnings only half the story

Shadow Communications minister Malcolm Turnbull has issued a lengthy press release claiming that NBN Co is seeking the freedom to hike its wholesale prices at rates way above inflation, but this is a gross over-simplification of a very complex issue.

Source: iTWire