Broadband News
Wed, 28th Apr 2010
Analysis: Internode plans leave users up in arms
ISP Internode has defended a revamp of its Easy Broadband plans that some users believed was less attractive than the Telstra offer it was trying to better.
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN Co keeps ISPs waiting for POI locations
NBN Co is yet to determine when it will reveal the proposed locations of its 200-plus points of interconnect, despite the existence of a map that appeared to show off the sites.
Source: iTnews Australia
iiNet case appeal set for August
The film industry will get four days in the NSW Federal Court's August sittings to appeal a court decision that internet service provider iiNet did not authorise its users to infringe on the film industry's copyright.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Vodafone isn't the fastest, but it's the value wireless broadband to buy
Vodafone wireless broadband is excellent value prospect as long as 'fast' isn't on your horizon. See why it fares so well against Telstra, Optus, Three and Virgin.
Source: PC Authority
Internode broadband reaches 70 per cent of Australians
Internode has announced its ADSL2+ services can now reach 70 per cent of Australian users.
Source: ARN
Tue, 27th Apr 2010
Victorian Public Transport Ombudsman to be Telecoms Ombudsman
Simon Cohen, currently Victoria's Public Transport Ombudsman, is to become the new Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
Source: iTWire
Optus offers 'unlimited' broadband plans
The nation's second-largest telco, Optus, has revamped its broadband plans, including new "unlimited" download quotas and sizable allowances even on lower-end plans — for example, 120GB for AU$59.99 a month on a two-year contract.
Source: ZDNet Australia
US groups make last pitches on net neutrality
Net neutrality rules proposed by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission could upset a complex mobile telecom marketplace and lead to fewer handset choices and fewer smartphone applications, a mobile trade group said Monday.
Source: Computerworld
Mon, 26th Apr 2010
Telstra's marketing chief Kate McKenzie tackles her biggest challenge
She's been handed the keys to one of the largest advertising budgets in the country and now Telstra's newly anointed chief marketing officer, Kate McKenzie, has to figure how it can be used to solve the problem of the telco's shrinking fixed-line telephony business.
Source: The Australian
Sat, 24th Apr 2010
iiNet plays down ACTA draft
iiNet chief regulatory officer, Steve Dalby, has poured cold water on so-called "conspiracy theories" about the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA).
Source: Computerworld
Fri, 23rd Apr 2010
Broadband network eyes Telstra pipes
The National Broadband Network rollout could piggyback on other infrastructure projects like the electricity smart meter, an adviser for the network said yesterday.
Source: SMH
ACTA to spur online content deals
With the shadow of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) hanging over the local Internet industry, now is the time for ISPs to strike commercial agreements with content providers, rendering the anti-piracy treaty superfluous, Professor of Law and Director of the UTS Communications Law Centre, Michael Fraser, has argued.
Source: Computerworld
PIPE v NBN Co continues
Pipe Network's CEO, Bevan Slattery, has fired another salvo in his debate with the company charged with rolling out the National Broadband Network (NBN), arguing that NBN Co's intention to seek a 20 to 30 year return on the government's investment was considered "abnormal" within the telco industry.
Source: Computerworld
Thu, 22nd Apr 2010
APNIC hands out record IPv4 addresses
The Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) doled out nearly a record 27 million IPv4 addresses during the first three months of 2010.
Source: Computerworld
Internode hits wall in Point Cook negotiations
Telstra has confirmed that it won't guarantee ISPs that participate in its Point Cook fibre trial that the 'open access' wholesale arrangements will continue once the trial is over.
Source: iTnews Australia
Libs quiz Conroy over US filter concern
Queensland Opposition Senator Sue Boyce has written to Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith asking for more information on the US Government's inquiry about Australia's internet filtering project.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Latest copyright protection draft soft on piracy
ISP's can expect to be spared tougher online copyright laws if Australia agrees to a draft of a new agreement on protecting intellectual property.
Source: Australian IT
Global eyes on Australian NBN, filter
Several speakers at the Communications Day Summit in Sydney this week raised the issue that Australian communications policy initiatives such as the National Broadband Network (NBN) and the internet filter have attracted international attention - but not always in a good way.
Source: ZDNet Australia
AAPT's Broad: split Telstra, but forget NBN
Separate Telstra and give the competition regulator enough power to control it, but for heaven's sake don't let the Federal Government own a telco, says AAPT chief Paul Broad.
Source: ZDNet Australia
A spanner in the NBN works? Alcatel-Lucent gets 100Mbps over 1km of copper
In a development that could have profound impacts for Australia's NBN, and the ongoing negotiations between Telstra and the Government, Alcatel-Lucent's Bell Labs has achieved a DSL downstream bandwidth of 300Mbps over 400metres (100Mbps at 1km) using two copper pairs.
Source: iTWire
Telstra aims to hike rivals' access costs
Consumers could be left holding heavier internet and telephone bills if Telstra goes ahead with plans to place a 20 per cent increase on the prices it charges competitors to access the telco's copper access network.
Source: The Australian
Wed, 21st Apr 2010
NBN Co fights back on Pipe CEO's disclosure claims
NBN Co has defended itself from criticism made by Pipe Networks founder Bevan Slattery that the company's level of disclosure and consultation had been deficient at every level.
Source: Computerworld
ISP filtering bill delayed indefinitely
The Labor party has delayed its internal vote on mandatory filtering indefinitely and revealed the draft bill has not been completed. The vote was originally expected to be held mid-March.
Source: ARN
ACTA: ISPs to be liable for piracy
If Australia signs the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), internet service providers (ISPs) may be obliged to hand over the identity of its users to those defending copyright.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Eyes of the world on Australia's internet filter plan
Embarrassed Australian pollies say they are fielding queries from around the world about Kevin Rudd's internet filtering plan.
Source: APC Magazine
Coalition to oppose NBN regardless: Smith
The Coalition will continue to oppose the construction of the National Broadband Network regardless of whether the $25 million KPMG-McKinsey implementation study puts forward a reasonable business case for the Government plan.
Source: iTWire
Greens: Don't sell or strangle the NBN
Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has urged the communications industry not to allow the Government to sell down or "strangle" the national broadband network.
Source: iTnews Australia
Vividwireless to offer CASPA video on demand quota-free
Perth WIMAX network operator, vividwireless has joined a number of ISPs in offering the CASPA video on demand service from TiVo licensee, Hybrid Television Services, quota free over its network.
Source: iTWire
iiNet to drop iView from Freezone?
Despite the ABC's intention to dramatically expand its catch up TV service, iView, one ISP partner, iiNet, has flagged it may have to cease carrying the service in its Freezone due to the strain it’s putting on its network.
Source: Computerworld
Look what the iPhone is doing to mobile broadband performance
Akamai has started to include performance data from mobile broadband networks in its quarterly 'State of The Internet'. Initial results suggest that proliferation of the iPhone, and other smartphones, are have a significant impact on average bandwidths.
Source: iTWire