Broadband News

Mon, 07th Sep 2009

ABC wants free NBN content

The ABC has called on the federal government to pass laws ensuring consumers won't have to pay to access any publicly funded content carried on the planned national broadband network, a measure that would give it a huge advantage over its commercial rivals.

Source: Australian IT

Sun, 06th Sep 2009

Telcos told to do better at bundling

According to telecoms market researcher, Heavy Reading, telcos will need to become much more sophisticated in the way they exploit the potential of all-IP networks to create service bundles for consumers: simply discounting the price for a bundle of services just won't cut it.

Source: iTWire

Government publishes submissions on NBN legislative framework

The Australian Government has published more than 30 submissions received in response to its call for industry input on the legislative framework for the National Broadband Network.

Source: iTWire

Sat, 05th Sep 2009

ACCC proposal makes Telstra's copper network more attractive to hold on to

Two weeks ago Graeme Samuel's Australian Competition and Consumer Commission announced that it was planning to change the regime that decides how much telcos pay to get on to Telstra's copper wire network.

Source: SMH

ISP Q&A: Adam Internet

The ISP Q&A Series is a look at the opportunities Australian ISPs have for resellers. It also profiles their views on some of the more contentious issues affecting the industry. In the sixth part of this ARN series, Adam Internet managing director, Scott Hicks, talks about his predictions for the broadband market, his views on Internet filtering and the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: ARN

Fri, 04th Sep 2009

Telcos call for NBN Co to price discriminate

Telstra, Optus and other stakeholders agree that the Federal Government should allow the NBN Company to differentiate between its customers on price.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Internode: Greenfield FTTH sites now in three states

Internode says it has rolled out its FTTH broadband services to greenfield real estate developments in three states in just six months, with two more developments in New South Wales and South Australia due in the near future, and subscriber sign-ups now growing steadily.

Source: iTWire

NBN will fail without thriving reseller channel

The Federal Government's $43 billion National Broadband Network (NBN) will be a failure without a thriving reseller channel, according to telecommunications carrier, Nextgen Networks.

Source: ARN

ISP faces $1m fine for stealing from customers

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has taken action against Perth-based ISP Web Ace for allegedly taking money from its customer's bank and credit card accounts without proper authorisation.

Source: iTnews Australia

ISPs seek legal advice on copyright issues

At least three Australian ISPs have sought legal advice on what would occur if they were placed in a similar court case to that faced by iiNet.

Source: iTnews Australia

Internode throttles fibre uplink to preserve network

Internode has revealed its fibre-to-the-home plans use asymmetric speeds to prevent customers from "swamping" the ISP's network using their higher uplink.

Source: iTnews Australia

Thu, 03rd Sep 2009

ACCAN targets self-regulation, broadcasting and the NBN

The new consumers telecommunications body, ACCAN is proposing to expand its scope to cover broadcasting and to demand legislation requiring that the government formally respond when presented with evidence of systemic failures in the telecoms and broadcasting markets. Also on the table is a proposal that it lobby for "The abandonment or reform of self-regulation to a best practice system that better delivers consumer outcomes, and is more technology neutral."

Source: iTWire

Broadband to stimulate seniors' grey matter

The federal government has launched its $15 million senior citizens internet education program.

Source: Australian IT

Blog: Seven vividly proves WiMax not dead yet

It wasn't too long ago that critics of WiMax wireless technology were declaring it dead at the starting gate.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra suffers nationwide web outage

Telstra's internet services suffered a nationwide outage this morning for around one hour, according to its spokesperson.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Perth to get fastest wireless broadband in Australia

Perth is set to receive the fastest wireless broadband network in Australia by early 2010.

Source: ARN

Stokes gives broadband a boost with 4G

Kerry Stokes has cemented his position as Australia's multimedia mogul after his Seven Network yesterday announced a shake-up to Australia's $30 billion a year telecoms sector.

Source: Australian IT

Wed, 02nd Sep 2009

Line switch hits city cyber speeds

BRISBANE: Internet speeds in the inner city have been slashed after Telstra moved a pivotal CBD telecommunication exchange without notifying customers.

Source: City News

Seven cans national Unwired Wimax rollout

The $200 million national Wimax rollout by the Seven Network's struggling Unwired unit has been called off and replaced by a limited roll out plan for Perth.

Source: Australian IT

Perth to be first with 'Unwired' mobile WiMAX service

The long-awaited launch of mobile WiMAX services by Seven Network subsidiary, Unwired Australia, will take place in Perth in March next year but with Unwired relegated to the role of network builder and operator and a new Seven subsidiary, Vividwireless responsible for all marketing and customer facing responsibilities.

Source: iTWire

Vocus racks up $2m core network upgrade

Vocus Communications has completed a $2 million refresh of its core network that has increased link capacities from one to 10 Gigabits.

Source: iTnews Australia

Internet filtering a farce: Minchin

The Opposition has renewed calls for the internet censorship plan to be buried but the government says the scheme is moving ahead.

Source: Australian IT

Mandatory filtering plan an 'ultimate embarrassment'

The Rudd Government plan to introduce mandatory ISP-level filtering was dead in the water and Communications Minister Stephen Conroy should end the farce now, the Opposition's leader in the Senate Nick Minchin said.

Source: iTWire

Telstra appoints two non-executive directors

Telstra has appointmented two new non-executive directors, energy industry leader Russell Higgins, and Microsoft executive Steve Vamos.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Tue, 01st Sep 2009

EFTel bullish on FY10 after heavy investment in FY09

ISP EFTel is making bullish forecasts for FY10 saying its large loss in FY09 was the result of major writedowns and adjustments and heavy investment in DSLAM rollout that has positioned it well for future growth.

Source: iTWire

Internet address run-out: is it time to panic?

The latest predictions on IPv4 address run-out have brought forward the estimated exhaustion date, especially in the Asia Pacific region; Internet elder statesman Vint Cerf has warned of 'panic' solutions resulting in poor engineering; and the Australian Government Information Management Office has accelerated its IPv6 adoption timetable by three years.

Source: iTWire

Optus email change angers customers

Optus has been forced to halt the planned shut down of its optushome.com.au email domain after users complained of insufficient warning.

Source: Australian IT

Pipe calls for third NSW undersea cable zone

Pipe International has called on the communications regulator to relieve congestion in the undersea corridors for submarine cables by opening a third "protection zone" in New South Wales waters.

Source: iTnews Australia

Mon, 31st Aug 2009

Blog: Can Vodafone close the rural 3G gap?

Optus, Vodafone and Three have long struggled to match Telstra's reach outside the capital cities. Vodafone's major network upgrade is the best chance yet to dilute Next G's rural monopoly, but questions remain.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Australia Japan Cable & Pacific Crossing offer GigE links from Australia to USA

Australia Japan Cable (AJC) and Pacific Crossing have launched a gigabit ethernet service across their respective networks for carrier, enterprise, and ISP customers wanting connectivity between Australia and North America.

Source: iTWire