Broadband News

Tue, 08th Jun 2010

Sen. Conroy's big red button for Internet kids

Fresh from his battles with Internet filter opponents, Senator Stephen Conroy Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy today announced a "help button" for online kids.

Source: iTWire

LTE gathers momentum: 110 networks planned

The Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) has published an update to its Evolution to LTE report showing 110 operators in 48 countries investing in LTE networks.

Source: iTWire

ISPs expected to adopt new security code of practice

The local ISP industry is expected to take up the Australian Internet Industry's (AII) new voluntary code of practice on cyber security, but some doubts over the plan have been expressed.

Source: Computerworld

Conroy yet to meet Google-backed anti-ISP filter group

Despite months of lobbying, a Google and iiNet-backed industry group, the Safer Internet Group (SIG), has been unsuccessful in meeting with the communications minister, Stephen Conroy, to discuss their alternative to the Government's proposed mandatory ISP-filter.

Source: Computerworld

Maps: Internode Tassie NBN pilot coverage area

Midway Point, Smithton and Scottsdale.

Source: iTnews Australia

$2.5m broadband boost for rural NSW

NSW will spend $2.5 million on wireless broadband access to connect communities in isolated, rural areas to the internet.

Source: Australian IT

Internode bites back at low NBN uptake predictions

Internode has fought off claims uptake for the National Broadband Network (NBN) will be low.

Source: ARN

Telstra announces locations for Next-G speed boost

Telstra has named the handful of regional cities and towns that will be first to experience a doubling of data speeds over its Next G wireless broadband network flagged at the start of the year.

Source: PC Authority

Internode launches "cheaper than ADSL" NBN plans

Internode has unveiled fibre-to-the-home broadband pricing starting from $29.95, $10 less than its cheapest ADSL+ plans.

Source: APC Magazine

Mon, 07th Jun 2010

Conroy dismisses 16% Tassie NBN take-up

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has dismissed a report suggesting only 16 per cent of Tasmanians would take up the National Broadband Network (NBN) even after 15 years.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Filter sparks launch of Safer Internet Group

A new industry body that has formed over discussions of the Federal Government's ISP-level Internet Filter counts Google, Internode and the Internet Industry Association as members.

Source: iTnews Australia

Conroy cries foul over 'dishonest' filter foes

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has lashed out at opposition to the Federal Government's bid to filter the internet, and labelled those promoting the dissent as "dishonest".

Source: iTnews Australia

VoIP to play lead role under NBN

Voice over IP (VoIP) is likely to become the main telephony service when the National Broadband Network (NBN) becomes ubiquitous, according to telecommunications industry body, Communications Alliance.

Source: Computerworld

Call to hit telcos on phony slogans

The ACCC has been accused of failing to crack down on "confusing and deceptive" advertising by the mobile phone and broadband internet industry.

Source: Australian IT

Just 16 per cent tipped to take up NBN

Only 16 per cent of homes and businesses passed by national broadband network fibre-optic would choose to connect to it.

Source: Australian IT

Sun, 06th Jun 2010

New code calls on ISPs to quarantine zombie infected computers

The Internet Industry Association (IIA) has introduced a voluntary code of practice for Australian Internet service providers in a bid to improve cybersecurity for Internet users. It recommends that ISPs, in extreme cases, disconnect from the Internet a customer's computer that has been recruited into a botnet.

Source: iTWire

Sat, 05th Jun 2010

New iiNet ADSL business service could reach 40Mbps

iiNet has confirmed it is working on a new 'Bonded ADSL' technology that in trials has produced speeds of up to 40Mbps, double that available with existing ADSL2+ services.

Source: PC Authority

Fri, 04th Jun 2010

AAPT unmoved by ACCC 'unlimited' crackdown

AAPT has shrugged off concerns about its "unlimited" broadband plans in the wake of a Federal Court case lobbed at rival Optus for the use of the word "unlimited" in its phone plans.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN Co appoints regulatory affairs principal

The NBN Co has appointed a principal regulatory affairs, Clayton Utz senior partner Caroline Lovell, as its internal and external liaison on legal matters.

Source: Computerworld

Do cost-benefit doubts strengthen NBN argument?

If Telstra had conducted a cost-benefit analysis before laying down its copper infrastructure, the network may never have been built, Green Senator Scott Ludlam argued today.

Source: iTnews Australia

Next G at 42Mbps to be available in 100 regional towns

Telstra turned on the upgrade of its Next G network to 42Mbps (theoretical maxium downstream bandwidth) earlier this year and has now revealed that it will be operational in 100 regional centres as well as capital cities as soon as customer devices are available, later this year.

Source: iTWire

Optus defends its 'unlimited' plans

Optus has defended itself in the wake of legal proceedings brought against it by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), saying it had a "different view" to the commission regarding the use of the word "unlimited" in its advertising.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN needs more focus on wireless and satellite: Coutts

Big question marks still hang over how the seven to 10 per cent of the Australian population not covered by optical fibre under the National Broadband Network (NBN) will receive high-speed broadband.

Source: Computerworld

Foxtel, Telstra wrestle with net TV

Foxtel has asked the ACCC to approve a deal that would make its service available only to Telstra broadband customers.

Source: Australian IT

Telstra pumps up network for IPTV

The nation's largest telco, Telstra, has unveiled plans to substantially rework its network infrastructure to deal with a massive influx of data expected to flow through its pipes as part of its IPTV strategy, which will this month see its flagship T-Box device launch.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Thu, 03rd Jun 2010

Telstra reveals homegrown content delivery network

Telstra has rolled out a new content delivery network (CDN) across its Next IP network, and plans to extend its content distribution using a dozen small data centres spread throughout Australia's major cities.

Source: iTnews Australia

Optus 'unlimited' claims land it in court

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has instituted legal proceedings against Optus for wrongly advertising "unlimited" calls.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Only 45% accept free NBN fibre connection

Only 45 per cent of the 5000 households included in the first phase of the Tasmanian National Broadband Network have consented to NBN Co conducting free installation of a unit on the outside of their dwelling, which would allow them to connect to the network.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra shock: cheaper broadband trial

Telstra's new naked DSL trial hints at a change of strategy. See how much it costs and why it's grabbed broadband users' attention.

Source: PC Authority

iiNet to offer Cisco routers to business customers

iiNet is ramping up its services for business customers by offering a range of Cisco routers as add-ons to its 'Business Pack' bundles of Internet, voice and other services for SMEs.

Source: iTWire