Broadband News

Mon, 07th Jun 2010

Just 16 per cent tipped to take up NBN

Only 16 per cent of homes and businesses passed by national broadband network fibre-optic would choose to connect to it.

Source: Australian IT

Sun, 06th Jun 2010

New code calls on ISPs to quarantine zombie infected computers

The Internet Industry Association (IIA) has introduced a voluntary code of practice for Australian Internet service providers in a bid to improve cybersecurity for Internet users. It recommends that ISPs, in extreme cases, disconnect from the Internet a customer's computer that has been recruited into a botnet.

Source: iTWire

Sat, 05th Jun 2010

New iiNet ADSL business service could reach 40Mbps

iiNet has confirmed it is working on a new 'Bonded ADSL' technology that in trials has produced speeds of up to 40Mbps, double that available with existing ADSL2+ services.

Source: PC Authority

Fri, 04th Jun 2010

AAPT unmoved by ACCC 'unlimited' crackdown

AAPT has shrugged off concerns about its "unlimited" broadband plans in the wake of a Federal Court case lobbed at rival Optus for the use of the word "unlimited" in its phone plans.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN Co appoints regulatory affairs principal

The NBN Co has appointed a principal regulatory affairs, Clayton Utz senior partner Caroline Lovell, as its internal and external liaison on legal matters.

Source: Computerworld

Do cost-benefit doubts strengthen NBN argument?

If Telstra had conducted a cost-benefit analysis before laying down its copper infrastructure, the network may never have been built, Green Senator Scott Ludlam argued today.

Source: iTnews Australia

Next G at 42Mbps to be available in 100 regional towns

Telstra turned on the upgrade of its Next G network to 42Mbps (theoretical maxium downstream bandwidth) earlier this year and has now revealed that it will be operational in 100 regional centres as well as capital cities as soon as customer devices are available, later this year.

Source: iTWire

Optus defends its 'unlimited' plans

Optus has defended itself in the wake of legal proceedings brought against it by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), saying it had a "different view" to the commission regarding the use of the word "unlimited" in its advertising.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN needs more focus on wireless and satellite: Coutts

Big question marks still hang over how the seven to 10 per cent of the Australian population not covered by optical fibre under the National Broadband Network (NBN) will receive high-speed broadband.

Source: Computerworld

Foxtel, Telstra wrestle with net TV

Foxtel has asked the ACCC to approve a deal that would make its service available only to Telstra broadband customers.

Source: Australian IT

Telstra pumps up network for IPTV

The nation's largest telco, Telstra, has unveiled plans to substantially rework its network infrastructure to deal with a massive influx of data expected to flow through its pipes as part of its IPTV strategy, which will this month see its flagship T-Box device launch.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Thu, 03rd Jun 2010

Telstra reveals homegrown content delivery network

Telstra has rolled out a new content delivery network (CDN) across its Next IP network, and plans to extend its content distribution using a dozen small data centres spread throughout Australia's major cities.

Source: iTnews Australia

Optus 'unlimited' claims land it in court

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has instituted legal proceedings against Optus for wrongly advertising "unlimited" calls.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Only 45% accept free NBN fibre connection

Only 45 per cent of the 5000 households included in the first phase of the Tasmanian National Broadband Network have consented to NBN Co conducting free installation of a unit on the outside of their dwelling, which would allow them to connect to the network.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra shock: cheaper broadband trial

Telstra's new naked DSL trial hints at a change of strategy. See how much it costs and why it's grabbed broadband users' attention.

Source: PC Authority

iiNet to offer Cisco routers to business customers

iiNet is ramping up its services for business customers by offering a range of Cisco routers as add-ons to its 'Business Pack' bundles of Internet, voice and other services for SMEs.

Source: iTWire

Telstra hard man to head NBN battle

Telstra's hardened regulatory pugilist Tony Warren has been appointed to head the telco's national broadband network negotiating team.

Source: Australian IT

Wed, 02nd Jun 2010

Exetel moves to terminate unprofitable accounts

Australian ISP Exetel has moved to terminate a number of unprofitable accounts, asking some users of its broadband service to move to another provider. In addition, according to a newsletter sent to customers yesterday, the "off-peak" period, which does not count towards an account holder's main usage quota, will be cut from 12 hours to six for new customers and will no longer be unlimited.

Source: PC World

Proxy-based search engine joins local filter battle

A Netherlands-based meta-search engine has opened its doors in Australia for the first time in an effort to help users circumvent the Government's proposed mandatory Internet filtering scheme.

Source: Computerworld

Conroy denies NBN election sweetener claims

The Federal Government has dismissed reports its roll-out of the national broadband network in Tasmania is being altered to win votes in the state's marginal northern electorates.

Source: ABC News

Telstra BigPond trials naked DSL

Telstra's BigPond yesterday launched a four-to six-week trial of two kinds of naked DSL to "assess customer demand".

Source: ZDNet Australia

Govt's sweet $16m for NBN ads

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy's office confirmed yesterday that the government will be embarking on a $16 million advertising campaign to increase awareness about the National Broadband Network.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Is Telstra's DNS server borked?

My company uses a wide-area Telstra private network. This is Australia's largest telecommunications carrier but maybe they don't visit their own site. As far as I can tell, Telstra's DNS server is not giving out any addresses for telstra.com - but differing Telstra departments say it's not their problem.

Source: iTWire

Tue, 01st Jun 2010

iiNet, Primus split on filter

Primus CEO Ravi Bhatia has made a rare and brave show of support for Senator Conroy's plans to introduce a mandatory ISP-level internet filter, in stark contrast to the position taken by fellow service provider iiNet.

Source: iTnews Australia

Network operations centre for NBN up and running

The Tasmanian network operations centre (NOC) for the National Broadband Network (NBN) has been launched by Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy.

Source: Computerworld

Internode rolls into Mount Gambier with ADSL2+, SHDSL and hotspots

Internode has installed its own DSLAM at the Telstra exchange in Mount Gambier, 450kms from Adelaide, enabling it to offer ADSL2+ services to consumers and businesses, symmetrical SHDSL service to businesses and WiFi hotspots.

Source: iTWire

OptiComm's Tasmanian NBN network ops centre opens

OptiComm has opened its network operations centre for the Tasmanian NBN, in the Hobart suburb of Cambridge.

Source: iTWire

iiNet confirms NBN pricing

National broadband provider iiNet this morning confirmed its final pricing plans for its National Broadband Network fibre offerings in the early stage roll-out sites in Tasmania, noting also that it had signed up its first customers of the service.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Broadband bargain hunters neglect customer service

Consumers are too fixated with cut-priced broadband and neglecting the importance of good customer service, according to industry groups.

Source: ARN

NBN shortlists satellite operators

NBN Co is weeks away from issuing a request for tenders to satellite network operators hoping to get a slice of the $43 billion project.

Source: Australian IT