Broadband News
Fri, 23rd Apr 2010
Broadband network eyes Telstra pipes
The National Broadband Network rollout could piggyback on other infrastructure projects like the electricity smart meter, an adviser for the network said yesterday.
Source: SMH
ACTA to spur online content deals
With the shadow of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) hanging over the local Internet industry, now is the time for ISPs to strike commercial agreements with content providers, rendering the anti-piracy treaty superfluous, Professor of Law and Director of the UTS Communications Law Centre, Michael Fraser, has argued.
Source: Computerworld
PIPE v NBN Co continues
Pipe Network's CEO, Bevan Slattery, has fired another salvo in his debate with the company charged with rolling out the National Broadband Network (NBN), arguing that NBN Co's intention to seek a 20 to 30 year return on the government's investment was considered "abnormal" within the telco industry.
Source: Computerworld
Thu, 22nd Apr 2010
APNIC hands out record IPv4 addresses
The Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) doled out nearly a record 27 million IPv4 addresses during the first three months of 2010.
Source: Computerworld
Internode hits wall in Point Cook negotiations
Telstra has confirmed that it won't guarantee ISPs that participate in its Point Cook fibre trial that the 'open access' wholesale arrangements will continue once the trial is over.
Source: iTnews Australia
Libs quiz Conroy over US filter concern
Queensland Opposition Senator Sue Boyce has written to Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith asking for more information on the US Government's inquiry about Australia's internet filtering project.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Latest copyright protection draft soft on piracy
ISP's can expect to be spared tougher online copyright laws if Australia agrees to a draft of a new agreement on protecting intellectual property.
Source: Australian IT
Global eyes on Australian NBN, filter
Several speakers at the Communications Day Summit in Sydney this week raised the issue that Australian communications policy initiatives such as the National Broadband Network (NBN) and the internet filter have attracted international attention - but not always in a good way.
Source: ZDNet Australia
AAPT's Broad: split Telstra, but forget NBN
Separate Telstra and give the competition regulator enough power to control it, but for heaven's sake don't let the Federal Government own a telco, says AAPT chief Paul Broad.
Source: ZDNet Australia
A spanner in the NBN works? Alcatel-Lucent gets 100Mbps over 1km of copper
In a development that could have profound impacts for Australia's NBN, and the ongoing negotiations between Telstra and the Government, Alcatel-Lucent's Bell Labs has achieved a DSL downstream bandwidth of 300Mbps over 400metres (100Mbps at 1km) using two copper pairs.
Source: iTWire
Telstra aims to hike rivals' access costs
Consumers could be left holding heavier internet and telephone bills if Telstra goes ahead with plans to place a 20 per cent increase on the prices it charges competitors to access the telco's copper access network.
Source: The Australian
Wed, 21st Apr 2010
NBN Co fights back on Pipe CEO's disclosure claims
NBN Co has defended itself from criticism made by Pipe Networks founder Bevan Slattery that the company's level of disclosure and consultation had been deficient at every level.
Source: Computerworld
ISP filtering bill delayed indefinitely
The Labor party has delayed its internal vote on mandatory filtering indefinitely and revealed the draft bill has not been completed. The vote was originally expected to be held mid-March.
Source: ARN
ACTA: ISPs to be liable for piracy
If Australia signs the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), internet service providers (ISPs) may be obliged to hand over the identity of its users to those defending copyright.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Eyes of the world on Australia's internet filter plan
Embarrassed Australian pollies say they are fielding queries from around the world about Kevin Rudd's internet filtering plan.
Source: APC Magazine
Coalition to oppose NBN regardless: Smith
The Coalition will continue to oppose the construction of the National Broadband Network regardless of whether the $25 million KPMG-McKinsey implementation study puts forward a reasonable business case for the Government plan.
Source: iTWire
Greens: Don't sell or strangle the NBN
Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has urged the communications industry not to allow the Government to sell down or "strangle" the national broadband network.
Source: iTnews Australia
Vividwireless to offer CASPA video on demand quota-free
Perth WIMAX network operator, vividwireless has joined a number of ISPs in offering the CASPA video on demand service from TiVo licensee, Hybrid Television Services, quota free over its network.
Source: iTWire
iiNet to drop iView from Freezone?
Despite the ABC's intention to dramatically expand its catch up TV service, iView, one ISP partner, iiNet, has flagged it may have to cease carrying the service in its Freezone due to the strain it’s putting on its network.
Source: Computerworld
Look what the iPhone is doing to mobile broadband performance
Akamai has started to include performance data from mobile broadband networks in its quarterly 'State of The Internet'. Initial results suggest that proliferation of the iPhone, and other smartphones, are have a significant impact on average bandwidths.
Source: iTWire
Optus reveals insight into mobile broadband user base
A third of mobile broadband customers report that their mobile data needs are increasing, according to research commissioned by Optus Wholesale, which also recorded that 17 percent of pre-paid customers recharge their accounts more than once a month.
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN chief tries to clear record
The head of the $43 billion national broadband network has tried to quell concerns the project will not generate a commercial return, but a network veteran has dubbed his claims "bullshit".
Source: The Australian
Tue, 20th Apr 2010
'Three-strikes' rule dropped from ACTA
The controversial three-strikes ban in the secretive Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) appears to have been dropped.
Source: Computerworld
EFA fights ACMA over 'take down' notice
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal in Sydney is hearing an appeal against a take-down notice for a link Electronic Frontiers Australia provided to illustrate its case against Internet filtering.
Source: iTWire
Quigley: Why an all-wireless NBN is pointless
An all-wireless NBN would require five times the total number of mobile cell sites in Australia today to achieve a committed information rate of 5 Mbps, according to "saturday afternoon" calculations by NBN Co.
Source: iTnews Australia
Slattery calls 'bullshit' on NBN economics
Pipe Networks founder Bevan Slattery today delivered a ringing slap in the face to Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, predicting most of the promises around his flagship National Broadband Network initiative would fall flat, with the project to end up being a liability to Australia's taxpayers.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Update: ACMA investigates telco complaints
The Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) has launched a formal investigation into the telco industry's handling of customer complaints after a spike in customer dissatisfaction.
Source: ARN
NBN leading to 457 visa surge and salary hikes
Demand for ICT skills to develop the national broadband network is one factor leading to the reappearance of an Australian IT skills shortage and a surge in demand for overseas IT professionals to plug the gaps.
Source: iTWire
AFACT using election: iiNet, Pirate Party
Broadband provider iiNet and the Australian division of the Pirate Party have come out swinging in response to apparent moves by content providers to nudge the Federal Government about potential legislation to stop copyright infringement.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Optus adds muscle to its 3G network
Optus has begun boosting data capacity across its 3G mobile network in a bid to meet subscribers' demand for data-heavy devices and services.
Source: Australian IT