Broadband News

Thu, 04th Feb 2010

iiNet welcomes Federal Court decision

We have never supported or encouraged breaches of the law, including infringement of the Copyright Act of the Telecommunications Act. Today's judgment is a vindication of that and the allegations against us have been proven to be unfounded.

Source: Computerworld

Rudd backs Conroy on NBN tender costs

Kevin Rudd is standing by his communications minister despite an audit office report critical of the way the government handled the original NBN tender.

Source: Australian IT

Industry groups pop champagne over iiNet victory

Isps and industry groups have welcomed news of iiNet's victory against the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) in the Federal Court.

Source: ARN

iiNet slays Hollywood in landmark piracy case

The giants of the film industry have lost their case against ISP iiNet in a landmark judgement handed down in the Federal Court today.

Source: SMH

iiNet wins! Film industry's case torn to shreds

The Federal Court has dismissed the film industry's case against iiNet, finding that Australia's No.3 internet provider did not authorise copyright infringement on its network.

Source: iTnews Australia

Don't worry, we won't disconnect your internet: IIA

Microsoft has developed a plan of disconnecting people's internet if their PC is bot-infected, but the IIA says it won't support it.

Source: APC Magazine

Wed, 03rd Feb 2010

IIA to hold iiNet trial debrief

The Internet Industry Association (IIA) will be holding its own legal briefing to discuss the ramifications of the conclusion of the AFACT vs. iiNet trial, calling its judgement "one of the most significant for ISPs and intermediaries".

Source: ZDNet Australia

NewSat pushing its Jabiru satellite for NBN role

Australian satellite services provider NewSat (ASX: NWT) is ramping up efforts to secure a role in the provision of NBN services to those Australians beyond the reach of terrestrial networks, with a PR campaign for its planned Jabiru satellite.

Source: iTWire

EFA: Internet users would suffer under AFACT win

The Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA) claims an Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) victory in the copyright court case against iiNet would have serious ramifications for Internet users.

Source: ARN

Rudd and Conroy planned for NBN failure

The government was figuring out a "plan B" for the national broadband network as early as August 2008, newly-released documents show.

Source: APC Magazine

Opinion: Abbott's posturing not a good sign for NBN backers

The Liberal Party is yet to come out with an official position on the National Broadband Network (NBN), but the early signs emanating from its ranks are not good those hoping for a change of heart from the opposition on the $43 billion infrastructure project.

Source: Computerworld

Conroy's NBN data safe from independent review

Data used to shape the Government's multi-billion dollar national broadband network policy (NBN) will remain secret after a Senate Inquiry recommended against the creation of an independent arbiter to decide whether or not the documents should be released.

Source: iTnews Australia

SA to repeal anonymous comment law

South Australia's attorney-general Michael Atkinson has said he will seek repeal a law which censors online commentary on the looming state election, despite admitting it will humiliate him.

Source: ZDNet Australia

iiNet v AFACT: IIA chief speaks out

A verdict on the iiNet and the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) is due tomorrow but the Internet Industry Association (IIA) is more concerned with improving relations between copyright holders and ISPs.

Source: ARN

Net filter legislation to go public by March

Australians will get their first look at the wording of the Federal Government's proposed internet filtering laws in 'late February or March', according to Labor Senator Kate Lundy.

Source: iTnews Australia

AFACT v iiNet: ISPs split on potential outcomes

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are waiting with bated breath as Justice Cowdroy is poised to hand down judgment on the legal wrangling between Perth-based iiNet and the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) in the Federal Court in Sydney.

Source: Computerworld

Tue, 02nd Feb 2010

SA net censorship claims "overblown"

The South Australian Attorney General has poured cold water on claims tougher laws will affect political comment on talkback radio and social networking sites in the lead up to state elections.

Source: Computerworld

SA passes unworkable 'censorship' law

In the build up to its election, South Australia has passed a law that will make it illegal to anonymously comment about an election candidate, political party or election issue - either online, on television or in a newspaper.

Source: iTnews Australia

Tandberg: We're NBN ready

Tandberg is ready for the $43 billion National Broadband Network (NBN) and is eager to collaborate with the NBNco.

Source: ARN

NBN connections lag Rudd promise?

The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has refused to say how many homes, if any, have been connected up to Tasmania's National Broadband Network (NBN), something which according to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should have already happened.

Source: ZDNet Australia

TPG to raise $70 million capital

Asx-listed ISP, TPG Telecom, is looking to raise $70 million in capital to reduce the company's debt as a prelude to its acquisition of Pipe Networks.

Source: ARN

Telstra's exchange on wheels proves its worth

Telstra has put to good use its Mobile Exchange on Wheels, developed after last year's Black Saturday bushfires to enable Telstra to quickly restore fixed line services in an area where an exchange has been destroyed by fire.

Source: iTWire

NSW coastal region makes push for NBN

A university based on the New South Wales north coast is forging ahead with efforts to position the region as an early receiver of the $43 billion National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: Computerworld

Mon, 01st Feb 2010

Macquarie Telecom, Optus top tech political donor list

Macquarie Telecom made $86,200 in political donations in the past financial year, edging out SingTel Optus as the biggest donor from the tech sector.

Source: iTnews Australia

Opticomm on track to start Tas NBN customer trials in March

FTTH technology company, Opticomm, which was awarded the first FTTH contract by the Tasmanian NBN Co in December, says it hopes to be delivering trial services to the first customers by March, and to have hundreds of customer connections fully operational by July.

Source: iTWire

iiNet judgement looms over ISPs' future

Judgement for the "landmark" case of iiNet versus AFACT will come on Thursday, but with Senator Conroy, lobby groups, consumers and industry members all weighing in on the result, what might the case mean for digital piracy?

Source: ZDNet Australia

Bill to split Telstra delayed by the Senate again

Legislation designed to cleave Telstra in two has been pushed off this week's timetable of Senate debates, despite assurances from Communications Minister Stephen Conroy.

Source: The Australian

Fears Australian piracy case could cut web access

Australian internet rights groups fear a piracy court case could force internet service providers (ISPs) to become "copyright cops" and cut web access to customers who illegally download.

Source: The Age

Fri, 29th Jan 2010

Netspace puts ADSL2+ DSLAMs in Sale and Traralgon

ISP Netspace has expanded its ADSL2+ network to include the Victorian towns of Sale and Traralgon.

Source: iTWire

NBN Co primed for wireless callout

NBN Co is expected to request capability statements from wireless operators within a fortnight, with at least one hopeful believing more than the ‘last 10 percent' may yet be serviced by wireless rather than fibre.

Source: iTnews Australia