Broadband News
Fri, 28th Aug 2009
Pipe's Guam cable: What does it mean?
Opinions are split amongst analysts, telcos and ISPs as to whether Pipe's new PPC-1 Sydney to Guam submarine cable will lead to lower broadband prices for Australians, but all agree the threat of its arrival, set for October, has had a positive impact already.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN Survey: FttP is the best option in the long term
There is no better alternative to a fibre-to-the-premises (FttP) network in the long term for the National Broadband Network (NBN), according to seven of the country's top ICT analysts.
Source: ARN
Protests planned over "three-strikes rule" for downloaders
Human rights groups and Internet Service Providers have said they are preparing a challenge to UK government proposals that would introduce a "three-strikes rule" for illegal downloaders.
Source: iTnews Australia
Thu, 27th Aug 2009
Woolworths to sell Optus 3G and data deals
Woolworths' chief executive Michael Luscombe says uptake of its talk-and-text prepaid mobile packages, which rely on Optus' 2G network, has been so successful that it will now offer 3G and data packages.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Photos: Inside Telstra's Global Operations Centre
Exactly ten years ago, Telstra completed consolidating its network operation management to a single site in Clayton, Victoria.
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN Survey: Seven top ICT analysts think the NBN will be worth the money spent
Seven of Australia's top ICT analysts agree the social and economic benefits of the Federal Government's planned National Broadband Network (NBN) will outweigh the forecast $43 billion cost.
Source: ARN
Blog: Facts on the iiNet AFACT case
This week's Twisted Wire podcast looks at some of the claimed facts surrounding the controversial lawsuit against iiNet regarding copyright infringement by its customers.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Wed, 26th Aug 2009
To improve broadband speeds, don't fiberise, optimise
The local head of wide area network optimisation specialist, Riverbed Technology, has delivered a stinging attack on the government's National Broadband Network project claiming end users are unlikely to see real benefits simply from fatter pipes and that the performance of existing broadband services could be greatly improved by widespread deployment of wide area network optimisation technologies.
Source: iTWire
Adelaide commuters get internet bus trial
A trial of a bus passenger information system that also provides free onboard internet access has begun today in Adelaide. The system has been developed by a group of companies that includes Cisco.
Source: iTWire
Taxpayers may need to subsidise Tassie broadband
The objectives of the new Tasmanian National Broadband Network Company include delivering "affordable" broadband services and setting prices, prompting claims services may be subsidised.
Source: Australian IT
Riverbed: NBN alone won't fix poor speeds
WAN optimisation vendor, Riverbed, has slammed the lack of breadth in discussions on the Federal Government's planned National Broadband Network (NBN).
Source: ARN
Don't make NBN "another Optus": residents group
A community group in Sydney's inner west that prevented Optus from stringing aerial hybrid fibre coaxial cables in its streets has warned the Government not to make the NBN a repeat performance.
Source: iTnews Australia
UK Govt proposes cutting Web access to file sharers
Repeat offenders who persist in illegally downloading music from file-sharing sites such as Limewire could be blocked from accessing the Web under British government proposals issued on Tuesday.
Source: iTnews Australia
Tue, 25th Aug 2009
ISPs should pay no mind to the cap
One of the great anomalies of the Australian broadband industry is the existence of usage caps, which around the world are virtually non-existent.
Source: The Age
TIO: We're doing the telcos' job for them
The telecommunications sector has copped flak once again after it was revealed that telcos have been slacking off on minor complaints, leaving the work to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO).
Source: ARN
Internode ramps up enterprise offerings in the eastern states
In a bid to woo enterprise customers in the eastern states, Internode has tripled its NSW datacentre capacity and is unleashing its symmetrical broadband service in Sydney and Melbourne.
Source: ARN
NBNco joins Communications Alliance
NBNco has become a member of Communications Alliance, a telecommunications industry body.
Source: ARN
ACCC pricing process 'ridiculous' and 'stupid'
The consumer watchdog's draft pricing for fixed-line wholesale services will kill new investment in copper-based broadband, punching a big hole in any interim planning in the lead up to the years-away NBN roll-out, access seekers say.
Source: iTWire
Telstra gears up for zettabyte era: deploys Cisco ASR 9000 edge routers in Next IP
Cisco has announced that Telstra is deploying its ASR 9000 multiservice edge routers to support a range of bandwidth intensive, content-based services, such as video.
Source: iTWire
TIO names and shames Australia's worst telcos
The Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman (TIO) has released a report that reveals how Australia's top ten telcos have fared when it comes to resolving customer complaints.
Source: iTnews Australia
Dutch ISP heralds end of net neutrality
A Dutch ISP intends to severely restrict users' bandwidth when accessing certain web sites.
Source: PC Authority
Pipe in turf war over oval
Residents are unhappy over the state of their oval after Pipe took it over for a year for construction work.
Source: Australian IT
Mon, 24th Aug 2009
Telstra local loop access prices tipped to rise
The ACCC has proposed a three-year "adjustment path" to cushion the impact of increases in the cost of ISPs accessing unconditioned local loop services on the Telstra fixed network.
Source: iTnews Australia
Telco complaints grow 1.8 percent in three months
Telcos have drawn the Communications Minister's ire for failing to deal with 'small' complaints before they are escalated to the telecommunications industry ombudsman (TIO).
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN Co joins Communications Alliance
NBN Company has joined Communications Alliance, the peak body for the Australian communications industry.
Source: iTWire
How to Get a Good Broadband Deal, Part 7: Avoid the 24 month lock-in
Pre-paid wireless broadband is in vogue right now, and offers an attractive way to get a good deal without a 24-month contract. But how much are you really saving?
Source: PC Authority
Telstra should plan for separation
If Telstra is serious about engaging with the Federal Government over the National Broadband Network it should immediately start the work needed to break itself in two.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Photos: Optus D3 satellite blasted into orbit
Optus' D3 satellite successfully entered orbit over the weekend after lift-off from the Arianespace facility in French Guiana.
Source: iTnews Australia
ACCC calls for industry comment on fixed line services pricing
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued draft pricing principles and indicative prices for six fixed line wholesale services, which allow Telstra competitors to provide fixed voice and broadband services over Telstra's copper network.
Source: Computerworld
Pipe Networks PPC-1 fibre sees first light
Pipe Networks initiated testing of its Sydney to Guam optic fibre link with a successful first light transmission.
Source: ARN