Broadband News
Thu, 21st May 2009
Australian broadband third most expensive in OECD
Australia has the third most expensive broadband services in the OECD, and an over-quota data prices an order of magnitude higher than any other OECD member, according to its latest broadband statistics.
Source: iTWire
NBN critics 'opportunistic': Conroy
Broadband Minister Stephen Conroy has again slammed National Broadband Network (NBN) critics, accusing them of opportunistic misrepresentation when claiming that towns of under 1000 people will automatically miss out on fibre.
Source: iTWire
Trust us with the NBN; we're politicians
There is an alternative dieting theory in which everything of the same colour is deemed to have the same nutritional value: chocolate is as healthy as baked potatoes, for example, and pistachio ice cream is as good to eat as broccoli. To some people, it's blind justification; to others, it's a creed to live and eat by.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Conroy reaffirms funding for comms body
Federal communications minister Stephen Conroy has called for stronger consumer protection in the telco sector to ensure the Government's national broadband network is put to its full potential.
Source: Australian IT
Sol calls broadband plan a bluff
Sol Trujillo was in a typically combative mood yesterday, saying he left Australia with no regrets and cynically suggesting the Rudd Government's $43 billion fibre-optic network plan was little more than a political stunt.
Source: Australian IT
ACCC chief welcomes broadband network
The head of Australia's competition watchdog has praised the Government's $43 billion broadband proposal.
Source: ABC News
Wed, 20th May 2009
Netspace turns on Tasmanian ADSL2+
Melbourne-based internet service provider Netspace today said it had switched on ADSL2+ broadband services in Tasmania, making it one of the first to do so in anticipation of the launch of the Basslink fibre-optic cable across the channel.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Democrats launch anti-filtering site
The Democrats party has launched an anti-censorship web site in the hope of rallying the opponents of internet filtering to its cause.
Source: iTnews Australia
AAPT busts out unlimited off-peak broadband plans
AAPT has fast-tracked the launch of its 'unlimited' ADSL2+ plans which offer users six hours of quota-free downloads per day.
Source: iTnews Australia
Tue, 19th May 2009
NBN panel didn't discuss $43bn NBN ROI
Communications Minister Nick Minchin has attacked the government over reports that the expert panel didn't give any advice on the viability of its $43 billion fibre-to-the-home plan.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Sol sent packing six weeks early
Telstra CEO Sol Trujillo has jetted back to the United States some six weeks earlier than anticipated.
Source: iTnews Australia
Optus makes pitch for Telstra break-up
Optus has added its voice to the chorus calling for the structural separation of Telstra, outlining four key regulatory changes it considers necessary for the success of the Government's $43 billion national broadband network.
Source: Australian IT
Telstra 'will be involved with NBN'
Two of the pivotal figures in persuading the Federal Government to build the national broadband network have said the network will not be rolled out unless Telstra is involved.
Source: The Age
Optus calls for Telstra split by 2010
Optus has made a submission to the Federal Government's review of telecommunications regulation calling for Telstra to be structurally separated by 2010.
Source: iTnews Australia
Pipe's $200m PPC-1 cable lands despite "personal threats"
PIPE International chief Bevan Slattery said that being "personally threatened by a tier one" carrier in October strengthened his resolve to build the $200 million PPC-1 subsea cable, which made its landing in Sydney today.
Source: iTnews Australia
Mon, 18th May 2009
Stephen Conroy's stab in the dark
Federal Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner has confirmed what was suspected: in arriving at its estimate that the cost of the revised National Broadband Network (NBN) would be $43 billion, the Rudd Government essentially dreamed up a big number and then added to it.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telstra has incentive to frustrate broadband plan, Optus says
Optus chief Paul O'Sullivan says he expects Telstra will try to delay the planned national broadband network to maintain its stranglehold on the industry.
Source: Australian IT
Security will make or break NBN potential
E-security is high on the Federal Government's agenda as it prepares for the country's digital future, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said at the region's largest security conference in the Gold Coast this morning.
Source: iTnews Australia
Alcatel-Lucent appoints new chief to head up NBN activities
Alcatel-Lucent has appointed an executive to a newly created position to head up the company's activities on the National Broadband Network (NBN).
Source: iTWire
Security specialists to help NBN build
Federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy says IT security specialists will help with the detailed design, operating and identity security arrangements needed to underpin the new National Broadband Network.
Source: Australian IT
Sat, 16th May 2009
Government clueless on broadband costs: Minchin
The Federal Opposition is doubtful of the latest government assessment on the cost of upgrading Australia's internet services.
Source: ABC News
Fri, 15th May 2009
Broadband advisers collect $700,000
Taxpayers have been left to front almost $703,000 worth of expenses racked up by the panel of experts who terminated the tender process for the original national broadband network.
Source: Australian IT
Farmers: dig your own trench for NBN access
Telecommunications analysts say there may be one way to ensure regional Australians can connect to the fibre network that underlies the NBN - by digging their own trenches.
Source: iTnews Australia
iiNet refutes AFACT case 'delay' claims
iiNet has sought to discredit claims made by a spokesperson for the film and music industry last week that the ISP had tried to delay its high-profile copyright case in the Federal Court.
Source: iTnews Australia
Minchin to lodge NBN FOI
The Federal Opposition has revealed it will file a freedom of information request Monday to attempt to retrieve the National Broadband Network expert panel and ACCC reports, as cross-bench senators consider whether they will support the Coalition's bid to stall NBN legislation.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Thu, 14th May 2009
Singtel profit dips as Optus grows
Optus owner SingTel has reported a dip in full year net profit, while its Australian-based operations put in a "resilient performance".
Source: Australian IT
Telstra chief takes on ACCC
Telstra's new CEO David Thodey has shown the first signs that he is cast from the same combative mould as his predecessor, after the telco yesterday lodged an appeal to overturn an ACCC ruling on access pricing.
Source: Australian IT
Is telco advertising out of control?
Dodo has been taken to task for misleading advertising. It's one of many cases handled each year by the ACCC.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Adam Internet calls for wider NBN fibre net
Adam Internet has put a case forward to the Federal Government to fast-track broadband infrastructure rollout to towns on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula.
Source: iTnews Australia
Wed, 13th May 2009
Industry groups jostle for NBN influence
Australia's ICT industry groups all want to claim credit for the NBN and play a strategic role in its development. But who has sway over the industry or Government?
Source: iTnews Australia