Broadband News

Thu, 10th Jun 2010

Are ISPs under threat?

These days there's very little difference between the services of one internet service provider (ISP) to the next. So where is the growth potential for today's ISP? Rather than thinking about expansion, should they be trying to protect themselves from content and application providers muscling in on their space?

Source: ZDNet Australia

Split always an option, says Telstra exec

Telstra would be better off to allow its business to be split and be barred from future allocations of wireless spectrum, rather than agree to an NBN deal that would reduce the value of the company, chief financial officer John Stanhope told stockbrokers yesterday.

Source: The Australian

Wed, 09th Jun 2010

Telstra 'genuinely committed' to NBN talks

Telstra remains genuinely committed to talks with the Federal Government and NBN Co over the establishment of the National Broadband Network but doesn't know how long the disucsions will take, says Telstra chief financial officer John Stanhope.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Opinion: What makes a good Communications Minister?

How could a Communications Minister promising $43 billion of investment in his industry and the break-up of a monopolistic incumbent become the subject of so much ridicule?

Source: iTnews Australia

Telstra cautious on NBN talks

Telstra says its committed to talks on the NBN, but may be better off accepting forced functional separation if a fair deal can't be reached.

Source: Australian IT

EnergyAustralia rules out commercial WiMAX interests

Energyaustralia has ruled out becoming a retail service provider (RSP) under the National Broadband Network (NBN), despite its growing fibre and WiMAX-based infrastructure in NSW.

Source: Computerworld

Telstra to trial combined payphones, Internet kiosks, hotspots from PieNetworks

Telstra is to deploy 50 Hotspot Webphones from Perth-based PieNetworks for a four month trial with a view to a large scale deployment around Australia.

Source: iTWire

Lundy offers opt-in filter option to Rudd

"It has become clear that the community has a preference for opt-in approach," says Senator Lundy. Ding! A Labor politician that finally gets it.

Source: APC Magazine

Tue, 08th Jun 2010

Sen. Conroy's big red button for Internet kids

Fresh from his battles with Internet filter opponents, Senator Stephen Conroy Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy today announced a "help button" for online kids.

Source: iTWire

LTE gathers momentum: 110 networks planned

The Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) has published an update to its Evolution to LTE report showing 110 operators in 48 countries investing in LTE networks.

Source: iTWire

ISPs expected to adopt new security code of practice

The local ISP industry is expected to take up the Australian Internet Industry's (AII) new voluntary code of practice on cyber security, but some doubts over the plan have been expressed.

Source: Computerworld

Conroy yet to meet Google-backed anti-ISP filter group

Despite months of lobbying, a Google and iiNet-backed industry group, the Safer Internet Group (SIG), has been unsuccessful in meeting with the communications minister, Stephen Conroy, to discuss their alternative to the Government's proposed mandatory ISP-filter.

Source: Computerworld

Maps: Internode Tassie NBN pilot coverage area

Midway Point, Smithton and Scottsdale.

Source: iTnews Australia

$2.5m broadband boost for rural NSW

NSW will spend $2.5 million on wireless broadband access to connect communities in isolated, rural areas to the internet.

Source: Australian IT

Internode bites back at low NBN uptake predictions

Internode has fought off claims uptake for the National Broadband Network (NBN) will be low.

Source: ARN

Telstra announces locations for Next-G speed boost

Telstra has named the handful of regional cities and towns that will be first to experience a doubling of data speeds over its Next G wireless broadband network flagged at the start of the year.

Source: PC Authority

Internode launches "cheaper than ADSL" NBN plans

Internode has unveiled fibre-to-the-home broadband pricing starting from $29.95, $10 less than its cheapest ADSL+ plans.

Source: APC Magazine

Mon, 07th Jun 2010

Conroy dismisses 16% Tassie NBN take-up

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has dismissed a report suggesting only 16 per cent of Tasmanians would take up the National Broadband Network (NBN) even after 15 years.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Filter sparks launch of Safer Internet Group

A new industry body that has formed over discussions of the Federal Government's ISP-level Internet Filter counts Google, Internode and the Internet Industry Association as members.

Source: iTnews Australia

Conroy cries foul over 'dishonest' filter foes

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has lashed out at opposition to the Federal Government's bid to filter the internet, and labelled those promoting the dissent as "dishonest".

Source: iTnews Australia

VoIP to play lead role under NBN

Voice over IP (VoIP) is likely to become the main telephony service when the National Broadband Network (NBN) becomes ubiquitous, according to telecommunications industry body, Communications Alliance.

Source: Computerworld

Call to hit telcos on phony slogans

The ACCC has been accused of failing to crack down on "confusing and deceptive" advertising by the mobile phone and broadband internet industry.

Source: Australian IT

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