Broadband News
Mon, 30th Aug 2010
Broadband now a utility like power and water?
Should we now consider Broadband a necessity of life, a utility in the same way we consider water, electricity and gas? According to a newly released poll, the answer is a resounding yes.
Source: iTWire
FetchTV proves a big hit at iiNet
Internet service provider iiNet's trial of internet-delivered pay-TV service FetchTV has been a resounding success, according to iiNet.
Source: Australian IT
Video: Telstra tests 'Ultimate' Next G modem
In this video, Telstra wireless engineer, Jared King, speed tests the telco's Ultimate USB modem around Melbourne. The modem isn't on sale yet, but when it is released it should provide a significant speed boost through its use of dual-carrier technology.
Source: Delimiter
NBN doubts hit property developments
Uncertainty over Labor's $43 billion National Broadband Network is causing chaos in new commercial and residential property projects.
Source: Australian IT
Fri, 27th Aug 2010
Independents to get NBN cost briefings
After several days of back and forth between Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Coalition leader Tony Abbott, an agreement has been reached to amend caretaker conventions and provide the three independents at the centre of the electoral crossfire with policy costing briefings, including a look into the true cost of the National Broadband Network and the Coalition alternative.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Final independent backs Labor's National Broadband Network
The final potential independent MP that may decide which party becomes the Australian Government, Andrew Wilkie, has come out in support of Labor's National Broadband Network.
Source: ARN
NBN speeds not necessary for healthcare identifier service
The Labor government's proposed $43 billion national broadband network (NBN) isn't necessary for the rollout of the health record identifiers, according to the head of the National eHealth Transition Authority (NEHTA).
Source: Computerworld
NBN 101: Floating the submarine cable question
A look at the international submarine cable situation, and why it isn't an argument against the NBN.
Source: Computerworld
Thu, 26th Aug 2010
The Internet in 2025, according to Cisco
Cisco and the Monitor Group's Global Business Network have published "The Evolving Internet, a report that "examines the driving forces and uncertainties that will shape the Internet - and the $US3 trillion market it enables - from now through 2025."
Source: iTWire
TransACT to upgrade Canberra fibre network
TransACT will add half a terabyte to its fibre network capacity as part of a network upgrade.
Source: iTnews Australia
Windsor pings Abbott; asks for NBN costings
New South Wales independent MP Tony Windsor says he would be surprised if Opposition leader Tony Abbott doesn't submit his election promises to Treasury for costing, calling it a poor start to discussions he may have with the Coalition over forming a government.
Source: iTWire
A broadband compromise is a good thing
Last week the electorate had to choose between two broadband plans. This week, independent MP Rob Oakeshott says it's not a choice between rock or paper, there can also be scissors.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Wed, 25th Aug 2010
Windsor challenges Gillard on NBN price tag
Independent MP Tony Windsor has challenged the Gillard government to provide "the real figure" for its broadband plan for Australia.
Source: iTnews Australia
iiNet to take on 60 AAPT staff
Less than two months after transitioning from Microsoft Exchange to Gmail, some AAPT employees will have to switch back.
Source: Computerworld
Comms Alliance NBN Project to forge ahead
The Communications Alliance NBN Project will seek to assist the Coalition’s broadband plan should it win support of the independent ministers that hold the balance of power to form a minority government.
Source: Computerworld
Government under fire from independents over $43 billion NBN price tag
The Labor Government is set to get intense scrutiny over its $43 billion National Broadband Network with key independent politician, Tony Windsor, singling it out as having a 'fictitious' cost.
Source: ARN
Coalition mulls broadband options
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has remained tight-lipped on any changes to his broadband policy to woo regional independents, but an analysis of his plan shows he could boost rural services in the next three years without a budget blowout.
Source: The Age
Tue, 24th Aug 2010
Spin offers first 2TB ADSL plan - UPDATED
ISP Spin has trumped iiNet and Primus with the announcement of Australia's first 2TB ADSL2+ plan.
Source: iTWire
Katter: Abbott's broadband plan has too much private ownership
Independent politician, Bob Katter, has arrived in Canberra for talks with the major parties and described the Opposition's broadband plan as having 'too much private ownership'.
Source: ARN
Filter takes back seat for independents
As the nation eagerly awaits the outcome of the parliamentary stalemate, only one of the three independent MPs at the centre of the uncertainty has provided an opinion on controversial cyber-security policies.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Internode readies high quota broadband plans
Internode's managing director, Simon Hackett, has acknowledged that the service provider will provide "substantial" upgrades to its broadband plans in response to the recent influx of competetive plans with high monthly data quotas, but said it would be a few weeks until anything is announced.
Source: Computerworld
NBN Co ceases all new operations
The company responsible for the rollout of the Labor Government’s National Broadband Network, NBN Co, has all but frozen new operations. It comes after the company was given a $300 million equity injection.
Source: ARN
Independent gives big tick to NBN
Independent MP Tony Windsor has once again given a big and very public tick to the National Broadband Network, and while he stopped short of making it the absolute kingmaker in terms of which party would win his support to form the next federal government, it is clear that the NBN will play a central role in negotiations between the independents and the main parties.
Source: iTWire
NBN important 'but you can't eat it'
Labor may be quietly rejoicing that regional telecommunications is shaping as a key bargaining chip in the battle to form government.
Source: Australian IT
Mon, 23rd Aug 2010
Could election stalemate revive FTTN NBN?
As Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott scramble to woo the support of independents, could a broadband compromise help Abbott fulfil his dream of killing Labor's National Broadband Network?
Source: ZDNet Australia
Analysis: Did the NBN rollout plan win seats?
Voters in seats named as first and second release sites for Australia's National Broadband Network appear to have focused on issues beyond the NBN during the 2010 Federal Election, with the ALP gaining additional votes in only a handful of these electorates.
Source: iTnews Australia
Coalition refuses to budge on broadband
The Coalition has signalled it will not budge on its broadband policy to suit a clutch of country independents who will decide which of the major parties will form a minority government.
Source: SMH
Opinion: The Filter is dead, but it'll be back
The Greens' success over the weekend in cementing their hold on the balance of power in the Senate has sounded the death knoll for the government's controversial ISP-level internet content filter.
Source: Computerworld
Rural broadband finally gets some bandwidth
Anyone who thought that Australian politics was boring before last weekend is probably now having second thoughts. Whichever party gets to form government, however, one thing is certain: rural and regional Australia are finally going to get decent broadband. The question remains what sort?
Source: iTWire
Abbott set to shift policy ground
Tony Abbott has revealed he is prepared to alter his election promises -- including on his proposed broadband network.
Source: Australian IT