Broadband News

Fri, 04th Dec 2009

NBN central to consumer cloud: NetApp

The National Broadband Network (NBN) will be fundamental to the long term success of consumer cloud computing, and irrelevant for the enterprise cloud in Australia, according to NetApp.

Source: Computerworld

Thu, 03rd Dec 2009

ACCC backtracks on Telstra ULLS pricing

In the face of industry-wide criticism, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has reverted to its old pricing schedule and released a discussion paper on how it should value Telstra's network in the future.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Vividwireless to begin testing Perth WiMAX in two weeks

Vividwireless has revealed it will have an operational WiMAX network in Perth that is ready for testing in the next fortnight.

Source: iTnews Australia

Feds to crowdsource ideas for NBN talkfest

The Federal Government plans to use Twitter, Wikis and other live social media technologies to feed suggestions from the general public direct to the stage at its Broadband Forum next week.

Source: iTnews Australia

Conroy opens NICTA's HQ in Sydney

Minister for Broadband Senator Stephen Conroy officially opened the new research laboratory and headquarters of National ICT Australia (NICTA) in Sydney today.

Source: iTnews Australia

Conroy: Minchin's manipulations will hurt consumers

Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy has condemned his former opposite number, Senator Nick Minchin, for forcing the Telstra separation bill to be delayed until February next year, saying consumers will be worse off as a result.

Source: Computerworld

Conroy holds his breath for iiNet v AFACT verdict

The court stoush between iiNet and AFACT may provide the basis for new legislation addressing online copyright issues, Broadband and Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy has revealed.

Source: ARN

Wed, 02nd Dec 2009

Optus chief outlines telco "megatrends"

Optus chief executive, Paul O'Sullivan, has flagged Optus' vision of the "megatrends" that will drive the elecommunications industry. Detailing his view in a speech to the Committee for Economic Development Australia (CEDA), O'Sullivan said there was an explosion in bandwidth happening across all the major communications technologies.

Source: Computerworld

Amcom: NBN speeds irrelevant to business

Amcom managing director Clive Stein said today that he wasn't concerned about competition from the National Broadband Network (NBN) because 100Mbps was too slow for many of his customers.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Abbott: NBN plans crazier than Whitlam

In his maiden speech yesterday, new leader of the opposition Tony Abbott panned the Labor Government for its National Broadband Network, stating: "Not even Gough Whitlam would be as crazy as that."

Source: ZDNet Australia

Optus CEO: End political bickering over Telstra, speed up NBN

Optus CEO, Paul O’Sullivan, has called on all sides of politics to unite against Telstra and speed up construction of a National Broadband Network.

Source: ARN

NBN is do or die for telecommunications: Optus CEO

The National Broadband Network (NBN) is "do or die" for competition in fixed telecommunications in Australia according to Optus CEO, Paul O'Sullivan.

Source: Computerworld

Tue, 01st Dec 2009

Optus spends $25m on HFC network upgrade

Optus has revealed it will spend $25 million upgrading its hybrid fibre-coaxial cable network.

Source: iTnews Australia

Fast internet turning into a hard sell

The company set up to build the national broadband network doesn't believe most consumers will be willing to pay for the maximum high-speed broadband service promised by the Rudd government.

Source: Australian IT

Minchin puts his hand up to pursue shadow comms role

Senator Nick Minchin, who stood down as shadow communications minister after disagreeing with Malcolm Turnbull's stance on emissions trading last week, is likely to put his hand up for the job again after a leadership spill saw his co-conspirator Tony Abbott elected as the Liberal Party's new leader today.

Source: iTnews Australia

Did Telstra ask for clean-up volunteers?

Telstra's main union has accused the telco of asking for "volunteers" to help clean up its telephone exchanges on a Saturday, while at the same time conducting a strike tomorrow that will interrupt Telstra customers.

Source: ZDNet Australia

ISP trends 2010: Telsyte

In the year ahead Australians can expect to see download limits continue to soar, the emergence of pre-paid broadband and a watershed year for IPTV, according to Telsyte.

Source: Computerworld

Goldman wins key broadband role

The commonwealth-owned company charged with building the national broadband network has hired a leading investment bank to help negotiate the financial and strategic challenges associated with the $43 billion project.

Source: Australian IT

Mon, 30th Nov 2009

Internode reveals new SHDSL options

Internet service provider Internode this morning announced new symmetrical broadband (SHDSL) pricing as it revealed plans to double the reach of the services for 2010.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Exetel may switch wireless broadband networks

ISP Exetel has indicated it will examine a switch from Optus to Vodafone for wholesale wireless data services from next year.

Source: iTnews Australia

Alcatel-Lucent loses NBN lead

Alcatel-Lucent's lead engagement officer for its dealings with the NBN Co, John Turner, has decided to leave after just six months in the role.

Source: ZDNet Australia

AT&T, Telstra believed data had no future

Both Telstra and US giant AT&T were convinced that the internet was just a fad and data had no future, according to Glenda Korporaal, author of a book documenting Australia's first 20 years online.

Source: iTnews Australia

Telstra executive shake-up

Telstra chief executive David Thodey plans to streamline his management structure, as he seeks to put his stamp on the operational side of a business whose outlook has been dominated by the government's plan to build a $43 billion national broadband network.

Source: Australian IT

Fri, 27th Nov 2009

Adobe outlines NBN vision

Adobe has released its vision for the services it believes will be delivered over the NBN in a new whitepaper, The National Broadband Network: Unleashing Australia's Digital Potential.

Source: Computerworld

Christian Lobby buoyant on filtering after meeting Conroy

Australian Christian Lobby managing director Jim Wallace met with communications minister Senator Conroy yesterday to get a status update on ISP-level filtering.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN Senate Committee slams Government

A Federal Senate committee into the National Broadband Network (NBN) has condemned the Government's lack of information and called for a raft of audits, timetables and a cost-benefit analysis. But a spokesperson for the broadband minister claims it is highly biased.

Source: ARN

Telstra NextG traffic doubles every eight months

Telstra has revealed large growth statistics for its Next IP and NextG networks but says ongoing investment will focus more on systems and management than infrastructure.

Source: iTnews Australia

Day 22: iiNet copyright case wraps up in Federal Court

ISP iiNet will make a further three-page written submission to the Federal Court responding to submissions by the film industry it says "seriously mischaracterise" the ISP's evidence.

Source: iTnews Australia

Govt rejects Senate NBN report

The Federal Government will ignore a coalition-dominated Senate committee's call for a cost-benefit analysis into the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: ZDNet Australia

Conroy must stand firm in NBN negotiations with Telstra

Failure of the telecoms reform bill to get through Parliament has given Telstra a window of opportunity to wring from the Government more favourable terms in return for its involvement in the NBN.

Source: iTWire