Broadband News
Thu, 21st Jul 2011
ACCC heeds industry advice on set wholesale fixed-line pricing period
The Australian Competition and Consumers Commission (ACCC) has refined its wholesale fixed-line pricing plans after feedback from the telco industry.
Source: ARN
NBN retail price shock: up to $189.95/month
Promises from the government that consumers will be able to access the NBN for comparable prices to current day plans are "untenable in practice", internet provider Internode says.
Source: SMH
Internode reveals NBN pricing, counts uploads in data allowance
Australian internet service provider Internode has revealed the prices it intends to charge for customers on the National Broadband Network.
Source: Computerworld
Wed, 20th Jul 2011
Turnbull plans faster, scaled back NBN
A future coalition government would provide vouchers to rural and regional residents to subsidise the high costs of broadband, and renegotiate the Telstra and Optus deals, with the aim of using Telstra's copper for areas of fibre to the node, Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has today revealed.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN reliability: Help guide first step for battery backup
The roll out of the National Broadband Network is set to revolutionise the way Australians communicate, but it has raised questions about the reliability of the network compared with existing copper-based telephone systems, especially among non-technical people.
Source: Computerworld
Show and tell: Turnbull and broadband
Shadow Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, promises to bring fast broadband to all Australians faster than the National Broadband Network (NBN) should the Coalition seize power from Labor in Parliament.
Source: ARN
Filtering is the job of ISPs not NBN: govt
Although it was technically possible for the National Broadband Network Company (NBN Co) to filter internet content over the heads of internet service providers (ISPs), the government has said that it will still force the responsibility onto ISPs.
Source: ZDNet Australia
TPG reduces ADSL shaping speeds
TPG has scrapped ADSL2+ consumer plans with high shaping speeds as part of a plan refresh which saw the number of unbundled plans reduced from six options to four.
Source: iTnews Australia
'Better, faster, stronger' Vodafone not so hot for some
"Better, faster, stronger than before." That's what Vodafone says of its mobile network in advertising material on billboards and its website.
Source: SMH
Tue, 19th Jul 2011
NBN satellite ISP dragged into Bill Express mess
Satellite ISP, Australian Private Networks (APN), may be dragged into a costly battle thanks to the failure of its sister company, Bill Express.
Source: ARN
Netflix in talks for local tie-ups
US movie-streaming giant Netflix is holding talks with internet service providers with a view to setting up shop locally.
Source: Australian IT
Mon, 18th Jul 2011
The top 10 benefits of the NBN
Leaving aside the hype and political brouhahas that surround it, what exactly can the NBN do for ordinary Australians? Here's a list of the top benefits.
Source: APC Magazine
Filter possible for NBN Co: ContentKeeper
It would be technically possible for the National Broadband Network Company (NBN Co) to filter internet websites, according to Mark Riley, chief technology officer of internet security company ContentKeeper Technologies, based on technology that the company already has in place.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Willunga business offers free taste of the NBN
A small business in Willunga is giving its peers an opportunity to 'kick the tyres' of the NBN.
Source: iTWire
Pacific Fibre signs TE Connectivity for cable
Pacific Fibre, a New Zealand-based bid to build a new submarine link across the Pacific to the US, has signed TE Connectivity to build the cable in a contract worth as much as $US320 million ($A301.8 million).
Source: iTnews Australia
Photos: Landcom estate lays pipes for NBN fibre
Landcom's Ashton Grove development in Maitland, NSW will be one of the first greenfield sites to have active NBN services.
Source: PC Authority
Fri, 15th Jul 2011
iiNet Labs grow up, scores New Zealand Orcon export deal
Australian internet service provider iiNet has today announced a new deal which will see products coming out of their Labs division sold in New Zealand as early as next week.
Source: iTWire
Tasmanians warned of possible NBN scammers
The dodgy types among us are rarely slow to spot an opportunity. Tasmanians are being warned of a possible NBN scam.
Source: iTWire
Thu, 14th Jul 2011
Turnbull hits Armidale for NBN tour
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been getting down and dirty with the locals in rural NSW town Armidale, which contains is an early stage rollout zone for the National Broadband Network.
Source: iTWire
Vodafone may support Interpol filter
National mobile carrier Vodafone has signalled its support for the new voluntary Internet filtering scheme being implemented by rivals Telstra and Optus, but has refused to clarify whether it will definitely implement the scheme or not.
Source: iTWire
Telco ombudsman settles Exetel court stoush
The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman will conduct a three-month trial of a new complaints handling process as part of a mediated settlement with service provider Exetel.
Source: iTnews Australia
Slow migration to IPv6 a costly mistake
Slow migration to Internet Protocol Version 6 could end up being a costly mistake for Australian enterprises, according to Internet Society of Australia (ISOC-AU) vice-president, Narelle Clarke.
Source: Computerworld
NBN Co snags remaining LTE spectrum
NBN Co has finalised its second bid for the radio spectrum required to build out its fixed wireless network, with deployment set to begin within a year.
Source: iTnews Australia
Wed, 13th Jul 2011
Optus satellite facility tour: photos
Zdnet Australia goes behind the scenes at Optus' satellite facility in Belrose just north of Sydney to see how the telco manages its five satellites currently in orbit.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN Co and Telstra win big in ACMA 2.3GHz spectrum auction
Nbn Co has secured 24 licences and Telstra has nabbed 12 in the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) 2.3GHz spectrum auction.
Source: ARN
AFACT strong-arming ISPs: Pirate Party
The Australian arm of the Pirate Party yesterday opened fire on the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT), accusing the group of "strong-arm tactics" and "extortion" in its renewed advances to local internet service providers (ISPs) over the past few weeks on the issue of online copyright infringement through file-sharing services such as BitTorrent.
Source: ZDNet Australia
ISPs should pay copyright costs: AFACT
The Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) has said that New Zealand's decision to impose a NZ$25 charge on rights holders who want internet service providers to process user copyright infringement notices is not the ideal answer to tackling the copyright problems.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN Co forks out $1.3m for spectrum
NBN Co has shelled out $1.3 million for 24 radio spectrum licences across the country, bidding alongside Telstra and Unwired subsidiary, BKAL, in an auction run by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Source: Computerworld
ICT employers face tough times, NBN poorly planned staff-wise: ITCRA
The number of suitable candidates per ICT role remained at a low in the second quarter of 2011 in comparison with 2010, according to the Information Technology Contract and Recruitment Association (ITCRA).
Source: ARN
Telstra price squeeze ignored: Internode
Telstra has been squeezing prices to its wholesale customers for almost a year now, and the national competition regulator has taken zero action in response, according to Internode managing director Simon Hackett.
Source: ZDNet Australia