Broadband News

Wed, 03rd Feb 2010

Rudd and Conroy planned for NBN failure

The government was figuring out a "plan B" for the national broadband network as early as August 2008, newly-released documents show.

Source: APC Magazine

Opinion: Abbott's posturing not a good sign for NBN backers

The Liberal Party is yet to come out with an official position on the National Broadband Network (NBN), but the early signs emanating from its ranks are not good those hoping for a change of heart from the opposition on the $43 billion infrastructure project.

Source: Computerworld

Conroy's NBN data safe from independent review

Data used to shape the Government's multi-billion dollar national broadband network policy (NBN) will remain secret after a Senate Inquiry recommended against the creation of an independent arbiter to decide whether or not the documents should be released.

Source: iTnews Australia

SA to repeal anonymous comment law

South Australia's attorney-general Michael Atkinson has said he will seek repeal a law which censors online commentary on the looming state election, despite admitting it will humiliate him.

Source: ZDNet Australia

iiNet v AFACT: IIA chief speaks out

A verdict on the iiNet and the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) is due tomorrow but the Internet Industry Association (IIA) is more concerned with improving relations between copyright holders and ISPs.

Source: ARN

Net filter legislation to go public by March

Australians will get their first look at the wording of the Federal Government's proposed internet filtering laws in 'late February or March', according to Labor Senator Kate Lundy.

Source: iTnews Australia

AFACT v iiNet: ISPs split on potential outcomes

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are waiting with bated breath as Justice Cowdroy is poised to hand down judgment on the legal wrangling between Perth-based iiNet and the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) in the Federal Court in Sydney.

Source: Computerworld

Tue, 02nd Feb 2010

SA net censorship claims "overblown"

The South Australian Attorney General has poured cold water on claims tougher laws will affect political comment on talkback radio and social networking sites in the lead up to state elections.

Source: Computerworld

SA passes unworkable 'censorship' law

In the build up to its election, South Australia has passed a law that will make it illegal to anonymously comment about an election candidate, political party or election issue - either online, on television or in a newspaper.

Source: iTnews Australia

Tandberg: We're NBN ready

Tandberg is ready for the $43 billion National Broadband Network (NBN) and is eager to collaborate with the NBNco.

Source: ARN

NBN connections lag Rudd promise?

The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has refused to say how many homes, if any, have been connected up to Tasmania's National Broadband Network (NBN), something which according to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should have already happened.

Source: ZDNet Australia

TPG to raise $70 million capital

Asx-listed ISP, TPG Telecom, is looking to raise $70 million in capital to reduce the company's debt as a prelude to its acquisition of Pipe Networks.

Source: ARN

Telstra's exchange on wheels proves its worth

Telstra has put to good use its Mobile Exchange on Wheels, developed after last year's Black Saturday bushfires to enable Telstra to quickly restore fixed line services in an area where an exchange has been destroyed by fire.

Source: iTWire

NSW coastal region makes push for NBN

A university based on the New South Wales north coast is forging ahead with efforts to position the region as an early receiver of the $43 billion National Broadband Network (NBN).

Source: Computerworld

Mon, 01st Feb 2010

Macquarie Telecom, Optus top tech political donor list

Macquarie Telecom made $86,200 in political donations in the past financial year, edging out SingTel Optus as the biggest donor from the tech sector.

Source: iTnews Australia

Opticomm on track to start Tas NBN customer trials in March

FTTH technology company, Opticomm, which was awarded the first FTTH contract by the Tasmanian NBN Co in December, says it hopes to be delivering trial services to the first customers by March, and to have hundreds of customer connections fully operational by July.

Source: iTWire

iiNet judgement looms over ISPs' future

Judgement for the "landmark" case of iiNet versus AFACT will come on Thursday, but with Senator Conroy, lobby groups, consumers and industry members all weighing in on the result, what might the case mean for digital piracy?

Source: ZDNet Australia

Bill to split Telstra delayed by the Senate again

Legislation designed to cleave Telstra in two has been pushed off this week's timetable of Senate debates, despite assurances from Communications Minister Stephen Conroy.

Source: The Australian

Fears Australian piracy case could cut web access

Australian internet rights groups fear a piracy court case could force internet service providers (ISPs) to become "copyright cops" and cut web access to customers who illegally download.

Source: The Age

Fri, 29th Jan 2010

Netspace puts ADSL2+ DSLAMs in Sale and Traralgon

ISP Netspace has expanded its ADSL2+ network to include the Victorian towns of Sale and Traralgon.

Source: iTWire

NBN Co primed for wireless callout

NBN Co is expected to request capability statements from wireless operators within a fortnight, with at least one hopeful believing more than the ‘last 10 percent' may yet be serviced by wireless rather than fibre.

Source: iTnews Australia

iiNet vs the film industry: Judgement day preview

The trial between iiNet and the film industry reaches another milestone on Thursday February 4 with Justice Cowdroy to hand down his decision on the case.

Source: iTnews Australia

Telecom NZ bid to win NZ's $NZ1.5B

Telecom New Zealand will today submit its response to the NZ Government's invitation to participate in providing ultra-fast broadband (UFB) for New Zealand: the equivalent of Australia's National Broadband Network.

Source: iTWire

InternetNZ rejects internet filtering

InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) has released a position paper rejecting centralised internet filtering as an acceptable approach for New Zealand.

Source: ARN

Thu, 28th Jan 2010

Pipe Networks blacks out as Internode sees red

Pipe Networks has picked up where ISP iiNet left off by joining the internet blackout protest overnight, claiming the Government's plan will filter less than 0.1 percent of 'bad sites'.

Source: iTnews Australia

Pipe joins iiNet in filter blackout

Pipe Networks has joined ISP iiNet and Greens Senator Scott Ludlam in an online protest against the Federal Government plans to filter the internet by blocking "refused classification" material.

Source: ZDNet Australia

TV tower operator lobbies to host NBN

Television towers should be a foundation of the National Broadband Network (NBN), according to tower operator, Broadcast Australia.

Source: ARN

Wed, 27th Jan 2010

Deloitte: Mobile VoIP threatens network refresh

Analyst group Deloitte has raised concerns that telecommunications carriers may not be able to fund the refresh of mobile data networks as users discover how to minimise data charges on their smartphones.

Source: iTnews Australia

Privacy Commissioner delays zombie code

The finishing touches to an e-security code of conduct which will prevent compromised computers, also called "zombies", from accessing the internet is being delayed following concerns flagged by the Privacy Commissioner.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Deloitte: ISP filter won't affect Australian businesses

A Deloitte analyst has predicted the Government's controversial ISP filter will have minimal long-term effect on Australian businesses.

Source: ARN