Broadband News
Wed, 24th Nov 2010
NBN docs: timelines and products
The Federal Government has released a timeline stretching to 2012 for the National Broadband Network (NBN) in its summary of the NBN Co business case released this afternoon.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN Co business case summary leaves many questions unanswered
In a bid to win over independent senator, Nick Xenophon, to secure passage of its NBN legislation, the Government has released a 36 page summary of the NBN Co business case, but it is devoid of any pricing information, any estimates of revenue or of service take-up rates.
Source: iTWire
NBN docs: Telstra deal or no deal details
The summary of the National Broadband Network (NBN) business plan released today laid out two costing scenarios for an NBN build: one where Telstra goes ahead with the $11 billion financial Heads of Agreement, and one where the planned deal falls apart.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN will cost $35.7 billion, not $43 billion
The National Broadband Network will cost $35.7 billion and not the $43b previously quoted, according to the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and NBN Co's business case.
Source: ARN
NBN Co business case summary to be released before Telstra separation vote
The Federal Government is set to publicly release a full summary of NBN Co's business case before its Telstra separation Bill goes before a vote. The reversal comes after significant pressure from the Opposition and cross-bench Senators to get the document.
Source: ARN
Deal paves way for passage of NBN bill
Labor has paved the way for the passage of key National Broadband Network legislation by agreeing to release a summary of the NBN business plan.
Source: Australian IT
Network glitch reveals Telstra customer accounts
Telstra Tribe users mistakenly gained access to other customers' accounts this month due to a server glitch that randomly linked them to different mobile identities.
Source: iTnews Australia
If you're not PC literate, fear the NBN
Perhaps I am getting cynical again, but our governments may have an underhanded motive in spending taxpayer billions to get our homes wired to the internet.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telstra separation Bill survives second reading vote
The Government's controversial telco Bill, which would pave the way for Telstra's structural separation, has survived a vote in the Senate and will be read for a second time.
Source: ARN
iiNet takes BoB development in-house
Internet service provider iiNet has launched a research and development division for the in-house creation of consumer goods.
Source: iTnews Australia
PM acts to break NBN deadlock
Julia Gillard has personally intervened to rescue legislation underpinning the construction of the $43bn National Broadband Network from a hostile Senate.
Source: Australian IT
Xenophon reserves Telstra split bill judgement
Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has ultimately reserved his position on the Telstra split bill, supporting the separation of Telstra but holding out on a 'yes' vote until the release of the NBN Co business plan.
Source: iTnews Australia
Tue, 23rd Nov 2010
Nick Xenophon not a phoney NBN independent
The news that Senator Nick Xenophon has decided to act like a true independent and intends to hold the Government to account over the NBN will come as a refreshing change to many who are astounded that so-called independents in the Australian Parliament are prepared to allow important legislation to be rammed through without adequate scrutiny. The question now is whether the Government is prepared to accede to the Senator's request that it lifts the veil on the NBN business plan and if not, then what?
Source: iTWire
Conroy exits Coalition-dominated Telstra debate
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has walked out of the Senate on the third day of debate on the Telstra split bil, as Coalition opponents lined up to rail against the bill, the NBN and the Government.
Source: iTnews Australia
Government announces another NBN Inquiry
Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese today announced that the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications would examine the economic and social benefits of the National Broadband Network (NBN).
Source: iTnews Australia
Government mum on independent NBN examination
The Gillard Government has refused to publicly release an independent examination of the assumptions used to develop NBN Co's business plan.
Source: Computerworld
Turnbull: Government commissioned external NBN evaluation "puzzling"
Shadow Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has criticised the Federal Government hiring of external advisers for the National Broadband Network (NBN), branding the idea "unusual" and "puzzling".
Source: ARN
Gillard runs ruler over NBN
The Gillard government has hired external corporate advisers to test the assumptions underpinning the confidential business case behind the NBN.
Source: Australian IT
Millions of consumers unhappy with telco customer service
The Australian Communications Consumers Action Network (ACCAN) has released the results of a survey saying it shows that a third of people who lodge a complaint with a telco are unhappy with the outcome.
Source: iTWire
Ericsson joins EnergyAustralia in LTE tryst
EnergyAustralia today announced that it had signed an agreement with Ericsson to roll out Long Term Evolution (LTE) for a 4G communications network as part of its smart grid deployment.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Senator in stand-off with government
Independent senator, Nick Xenophon, admits he is in a Mexican standoff with the federal government over its national broadband network (NBN).
Source: ARN
Tim Berners-Lee warns of threats to open web
Web creator says Facebook and Apple are threatening the openness of the web.
Source: PC Authority
Mon, 22nd Nov 2010
Telstra, Ericsson link cities with LTE
Telstra and Ericsson have successfully conducted a high-quality video link-up between Sydney and Melbourne using Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology.
Source: ZDNet Australia
PM denies bowing to Greens on NBN
Labor still plans to privatise the National Broadband Network, after a deal with the Greens for more scrutiny and parliamentary approval of the sale.
Source: Australian IT
Conroy absorbs Senate fire on NBN Co plan
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy faced a hostile Senate again today, repeatedly skirting questions on the NBN business plan and confidential briefings offered to key independents.
Source: iTnews Australia
Greens back out of NBN briefing
The federal government's attempt to win parliamentary backing for the national broadband network (NBN) has suffered another setback, with the Australian Greens rejecting a private briefing of its business plan.
Source: ARN
Coalition "outrage" at Greens NBN deal
The Coalition has expressed "outrage" that the Federal Government will allow the Productivity Commission to examine the NBN only after the multi-billion dollar network is completed.
Source: iTnews Australia
Greens strike deal to prevent NBN Co privatisation
The Greens have struck a deal with Labor to support Labor's contentious legislation to restructure the telecommunications industry, on the basis that provisions be included to make it difficult to privatise NBN Co.
Source: Delimiter
NBN broadband prices will drop: Quigley
Despite claims to the contrary, broadband prices will fall over time on the National Broadband Network (NBN), according to a letter from NBN Co CEO Mike Quigley.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Deal ensures Greens support for NBN bill
The Greens have defended a deal with Labor to make it more difficult to privatise the $43 billion National Broadband Network.
Source: Australian IT