Broadband News
Tue, 30th Mar 2010
Government goes to war with Google over net censorship
The Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, has launched a stinging attack on Google and its credibility in response to the search giant's campaign against the government's internet filtering policy.
Source: SMH
ABS: Over 500,000 net users get 24Mbps
More than 60 per cent of all Internet connections are now at or above 1.5Mbps according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Source: Computerworld
Conroy's blackspots: 400km done, 5600 to go
Wholesale network operator Nextgen has rolled out 400 kilometres of backhaul under the Federal Government's regional blackspots program, according to managing director, Phil Sykes.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Public response to filter: Video
It's been just over three months since the Federal Government decided it would go ahead with its plans for internet service providers to block access to "refused classification" material on the web. ZDNet.com.au asked the public what it thought of the plan.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Exetel seeks out-of-court Telstra settlement
The Federal Court has stood over a deceptive conduct claim filed against Telstra by ISP Exetel to allow both parties to pursue an agreement out of court.
Source: iTnews Australia
Coalition would halt NBN construction
The Coalition will take a fully-costed alternative broadband plan for Australia to the next election that is cheaper and makes greater use of mobile technologies. And it says it will not complete the construction of the Rudd Government's $43 billion National Broadband Network.
Source: iTWire
Mon, 29th Mar 2010
Conroy silent on US internet filter knock
The Federal Government has remained quiet on alleged concerns raised by the US State Department on a proposal to install Internet content filters in Australia. Under the national mandatory filtering plan, ISPs would be required to install filtering technology to prohibit access to websites on a government-held blacklist.
Source: Computerworld
Conroy resolute: No opt-out for filter
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has rejected suggestions from ALP colleague Senator Kate Lundy that the Government offer an 'opt-out' for its plan for a mandatory ISP-level filter.
Source: iTnews Australia
iiNet deal sees Netspace founders leave
Netspace co-founders and sole investors Stuart Marburg and Richard Preen plan to leave the internet service provider before its $40 million acquisition by rival iiNet is completed by the end of April, iiNet chief Michael Malone revealed this afternoon.
Source: ZDNet Australia
iiNet boss pays tribute to BigPond chief
iiNet chief executive Michael Malone has paid tribute to long-time rival Justin Milne's time steering of BigPond, describing the Telstra executive as "extraordinary".
Source: APC Magazine
Internode ads lure BigPond customers
Internode has launched a cheeky ad campaign featuring a blue VW kombi van, pointing out its superior value compared to BigPond.
Source: APC Magazine
iiNet buys Netspace for $40 million
Perth ISP iiNet has ended a fortnight of speculation with the acquisition of Netspace for $40 million.
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN Co looking to evaluate construction companies for rollout
The company responsible for the roll out of the national broadband network (NBN), NBN Co, will commence evaluating construction partners to help it lay more than 200,000 kilometres of optic fibre cable. NBN Co has kicked off a request for capability statement process with a view to launching a tender process mid-year.
Source: Computerworld
iiNet shares shut down as takeover info comes out
ASX-listed iiNet has announced a trading halt pending a new acquisition. The share trading halt follows reports of the ISP's attempted takeover of Netspace.
Source: ARN
Stephen Conroy and US at odds on net filter
The Obama administration has questioned the Rudd government's plan to introduce an internet filter.
Source: The Australian
BlueFibre to build national peering network
BlueFibre has revealed plans to create a national peering network from next month.
Source: iTnews Australia
Thodey shakes up Telstra to focus on products and marketing
After a year in the job, Telstra CEO David Thodey, has moved to reshape the organisation, with a shakeup of the executive ranks and wheeling in a heavyweight exec from the UK to head up consumer and channels marketing.
Source: iTWire
Conroy to debate Mark Newton, EFA tonight
Comms minister Conroy will hit radio airwaves tonight to face his greatest foes: Internode engineer Mark Newton and Electronic Frontiers Australia, over internet filtering plans.
Source: APC Magazine
Sat, 27th Mar 2010
Big Pond head Justin Milne calls it quits
Telstra has lost one of its top executives, with Big Pond head Justin Milne stepping down.
Source: The Australian
Optus plugs unlimited broadband plan leak
ISP Optus has refused to confirm whether a Whirlpool posting purported to be a leak of new "unlimited download" cable broadband plans is the real deal.
Source: iTnews Australia
Fri, 26th Mar 2010
Slow Aussie internet connection delays NASA balloon mission
A slow internet connection has been blamed for a delay in the launch of multi-million-dollar NASA-sponsored balloons from central Australia, according to an ABC report.
Source: News Limited
Will Rau right R18+ wrongs?
Gamers of Australia are hoping that South Australia's new Attorney General, John Rau, will live up to Gamers4Croydon's Chris Prior tweet that he's a nice guy, is a supporter of the R18+ classification for games and that R18+ is on his to do list.
Source: iTWire
Federal Government releases mobile phone tender
Government documents state agencies should be given access to four classes of mobile device: Class 1 for senior executives; class 2 for general staff; class 3 for technical staff and developers; and the final class for staff with "mobile broadband access" needs.
Source: Computerworld
National broadband network too important to play politics
No one should doubt Stephen Conroy when he asserts the still-secret independent review of his $43 billion fibre baby proves a national broadband network can be built without Telstra.
Source: The Australian
Thu, 25th Mar 2010
Internode continues ADSL2+ roll-out despite NBN commitment
Internet service provider Internode has switched on seven new Digital Subscribe Line Access Multiplexers (DSLAMs) in Tasmanian suburbs, despite recently committing to a National Broadband Network fibre service in the state.
Source: Computerworld
Internode installs more Tassie ADSL2+
Internode has switched on ADSL2+ equipment in seven Tasmanian exchanges today, which will allow it to transfer around 3000 customers to faster broadband over the next two months.
Source: ZDNet Australia
More low-income Telstra users seek bill help
National community welfare agencies have reported a sharp increase in people seeking relief from Telstra bills due to financial hardship.
Source: iTnews Australia
Industry welcomes clarity on NBN wholesale terms
The telecoms industry has thrown its support behind the NBN Co's decision to put to bed arguments for the company to offer more complex services.
Source: Australian IT
Conroy's net gag sparks assassination and bomb plot chatter
Members of the same community responsible for recent attacks on government websites are now discussing a violent uprising, trading bomb recipes and calling for the assassination of Communications Minister Stephen Conroy.
Source: SMH
ISPs win clarity on NBN Co interconnect location
NBN Co will release details about planned locations for its 200 points of interconnect within a fortnight to satisfy calls from a number of major telcos and ISP
Source: iTnews Australia