Broadband News
Tue, 09th Nov 2010
Why copper and HFC can't save us
The Coalition is hanging onto the idea that the copper network - if we just give it a few nips and tucks - is good enough to keep us basking in 12Mbps glory for years to come. Yet a bit of work with Google Earth shows that it's a quite optimistic work of fiction to suggest that Telstra's copper and Telstra/Optus-owned HFC networks are enough to guarantee 12Mbps to everybody. Here's why.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Mon, 08th Nov 2010
NBN monopoly will mean compo: Optus
NBN Co is killing competition and opening itself up to compensation claims by not proposing enough points of interconnect for the National Broadband Network (NBN), according to Optus and Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN Co delivers business plan to Government
NBN Co has delivered its business plan to the Federal Government and Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy.
Source: ARN
NBN not a gift, but a debt: Abbott
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has said that although the National Broadband Network looks like it's being given to the nation on a platter, it's a gift everyone will regret when the bill arrives.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Vodafone trials price cuts for data roaming
Vodafone Australia plans to trial a major cut in data roaming charges for customers travelling to New Zealand this summer.
Source: iTnews Australia
Abbott won't dismantle Tasmanian NBN
Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says he won't rip up National Broadband Network infrastructure already rolled out in Tasmania.
Source: Australian IT
Fri, 05th Nov 2010
TPG to open direct Asian internet route
ISP TPG expected data roundtrips between Sydney and Asia to fall to as little as 100ms when a new direct internet traffic route goes live next week.
Source: iTnews Australia
Pivotel to upgrade Aussie satellite facilities
Satellite mobile communications provider Pivotel has announced plans for a $20 million upgrade of its Australian facilities, following the launch of six next-generation satellites over Kazakhstan.
Source: iTnews Australia
4G definition creates marketing free-for-all
Now that LTE and WiMax officially are not 4G, use of that heavily advertised term is a free-for-all -- at least until it comes time to name the next wave of mobile networks.
Source: Computerworld
Optus customers given chance to opt out of misleading plans
Those who signed up to Optus' 'Think Bigger' or 'Supersonic' broadband plans between 25 April and 15 October this year will be given a chance to terminate their contracts without additional fees, a letter to be sent to those affected will state.
Source: Computerworld
iiNet gives free phone calls for mental health services
Perth-based ISP, iiNet, is giving its customers free phone calls to mental health services.
Source: ARN
Thu, 04th Nov 2010
NBN Co goes on hiring spree
The NBN Co has dramatically ramped up its hiring activity, posting an average of three new roles a day on its job vacancy site as its rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) ramps up.
Source: Computerworld
NBN universal service obligation should cater for wireless internet users: Swinburne University
Not including wireless broadband under the National Broadband Network's (NBN) universal service obligation (USO) plan means some users won’t be covered if services goes down, Swinburne University Smart Services senior researcher, Scott Rickard, has warned.
Source: Computerworld
Internode warns IT departments to factor IPv6 into procurement decisions
With IPv4 addresses set to run out in mid 2011, internet service provider (ISP), Internode, is warning that IT departments need to ensure that procurement decisions must factor in IPv6 compatibility or face being stuck with obsolete gear.
Source: Computerworld
Outstanding telco bill threat to deal
The government's failure to pass crucial legislation designed to underpin the success of the National Broadband Network may prove costly
Source: Australian IT
Malcolm turns bullish on Telstra split
In this edition of Twisted Wire, Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull says that a split of Telstra is long overdue and his personal preference is for a structural separation.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Bombshells in NBN documents
The Gillard government must urgently pass legislation to smash apart Telstra's near-monopoly position for the implementation of the $43bn NBN to proceed.
Source: Australian IT
Wed, 03rd Nov 2010
Best wireless ADSL2+ modem/routers
In our ongoing testing of wireless ADSL2+ modem/routers, we bring you the top 10 so far. Of course, everyone has a horror story about each, so feel free to comment below on the frustration within.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Pivotel: NBN overlooks mobile broadband
The Federal Government's National Broadband Network (NBN) has overlooked the importance of mobile broadband services in rural Australia, according to satellite service telco, Pivotel.
Source: ARN
Pacnet opens first data centre upraded from cable landing station
Pacnet has launched its Hong Kong Data Landing Station (DLS), claiming it to be the first carrier neutral data centre facility of its kind in the Asia Pacific region.
Source: iTWire
Conroy's involvement in tower battle an unwise move
Communications minister, senator Stephen Conroy has got himself involved in a dispute between people living and working around a proposed location for a new Telstra mobile network antenna.
Source: iTWire
Optus' Open Network spawns legal attack
Hours after Optus received stinging penalties from the competition regulator over dodgy advertising for its Supersonic plans, the telco may again wind up in federal court over allegations of trademark infringement.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Broadcom readies 100G Ethernet chip
Broadcom is shipping samples of a processor for 100-Gigabit Ethernet, part of an architecture that can scale up to a clustered system with a total capacity of 100T bps (bits per second).
Source: ARN
How to pick a 3G data plan: $25 or less
It's an all-in-brawl at the cheaper end of the wireless market. So which plans stand out?
Source: PC Authority
AAPT loving life without consumer business
AAPT has credited the $60m sale of its consumer division to ISP iiNet for bringing "focus" back to its telecommunications business.
Source: iTnews Australia
Judge attacks 'tricky' Optus
A Federal Court judge has branded Optus "tricky" for misleading customers over the fine print in its high-speed internet plans.
Source: Australian IT
Tue, 02nd Nov 2010
OPEL ghosts haunt Broadband Department books
Liquidators of the previous Coalition Government's canned OPEL broadband project were still considering whether to file "unquantified" financial claims against the Commonwealth, according to notes buried in an annual report.
Source: iTnews Australia
ISPs lock horns over ACCC pricing intervention
Internet service providers (ISP) have locked horns over the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) proposal for revamped pricing structures for Telstra's broadband wholesale offerings, with some questioning the need for tighter regulation of the incumbent telco.
Source: Computerworld
Telcos fear NBN will crush them
Telecoms industry stakeholders have raised concerns that NBN Co is reneging on commitment not to "squash" backhaul infrastructure competition.
Source: Australian IT
Mon, 01st Nov 2010
iiNet shows how not to do social
I don't mind waiting for an internet connection, as I realise there can be screw-ups. However, I do expect regular updates if there are problems, which is where iiNet went horribly wrong in the saga that has led to me being without internet for almost three weeks.
Source: ZDNet Australia