Broadband News

Tue, 12th Jan 2010

AFACT v iiNet: Decision timing still uncertain

The timing of the verdict in the much-publicised civil court case between the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) and ISP, iiNet, is still unclear some six weeks after closing arguments were given.

Source: Computerworld

Mon, 11th Jan 2010

Conroy sells NBN at CES

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has talked up the Federal Government's ICT projects and its proposed separation of Telstra in a speech at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Source: ARN

Committee demands NBN implementation study

If Communications Minister Stephen Conroy wants the Senate Select Committee's inquiry into the National Broadband Network to end, he will need to hand it the lead advisor's implementation study, committee chair and Liberal Senator Mary Jo Fisher said last week.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Sat, 09th Jan 2010

10 million speeds tests

Today, 8th January 2010, we passed the 10 million speed tests milestone.

Source: Oz Broadband Speed Test

Fri, 08th Jan 2010

AFACT v iiNet: Judge tipped to examine France, Britain copyright law

The judge overseeing a trial between iiNet and AFACT will likely consider rulings by foreign courts - many favouring antipiracy campaigners - in its decision to uphold or quash allegations of copyright infringement by the ISP's subscribers.

Source: Computerworld

National filter protest: 6 March

A national day of protests against the Federal Government's internet filtering project, organised by the group Block the Filter, will now take place on 6 March 2010 instead of late January.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Anti-Net filtering group aims to bring protestors closer together

Giving Internet filtering protestors an avenue for collaboration and promoting education to end-users are top priorities for Electronics Frontiers Australia’s latest recruit.

Source: ARN

Thu, 07th Jan 2010

National net filter protest pushed back

A planned national protest against the Federal Government's internet censorship regime was pushed back to March but separate Australia Day protests were on track.

Source: iTnews Australia

Telcos called on to help with spectrum sell off

The federal government has called for responses on how best to cash-in on analogue spectrum following the digital television switchover in 2013.

Source: Computerworld

Telcos eye 4G networks in sale

Telstra, Optus and Vodafone Hutchison have begun formulating responses to the federal government's proposed auction of broadcast spectrum.

Source: Australian IT

Wed, 06th Jan 2010

Internet-enabled TVs: we don't want 'em

CES 2010: Aussies might complain at the lack of Net-enabled TVs here, but people who have them can't be bothered using them.

Source: APC Magazine

Mobile broadband hits mainstream NZ

Previously the cost of mobile broadband in New Zealand was prohibitive, but now, thanks to the arrival of prepay, it has become more affordable and controllable, and so after months of deliberation, for the Christmas break, I have finally hooked myself up.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Conroy prepares for wireless spectrum sale

Television broadcasters may be required to change their channel frequencies and upgrade network kit to make way for next generation mobile technologies including long-term evolution (LTE), a Federal Government report has revealed.

Source: iTnews Australia

ISP filter trial company stands by test results

The company responsible for the controversial ISP filtering trial will welcome any proposed audit and claims to have proven beyond doubt that a filter is feasible.

Source: ARN

Tue, 05th Jan 2010

Govt seeks NBN investment advisor

The Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) is on the hunt for investment advisors to assist it in assessing commercial agreements that the NBN Co may make.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Huawei slams critics

China's Huawei has once again been forced to dismiss spying allegations and stake its claim in Australia's $43 billion NBN bonanza.

Source: Australian IT

NBNco gets more directors

The organisation created to oversee the rollout of a National Broadband Network has brought on two more directors.

Source: ARN

Mon, 04th Jan 2010

Stephenconroy.com.au is back for good

Try hitting the (supposedly) disabled site stephenconroy.com.au. Its back and auDA will have a hard time killing it off this time.

Source: iTWire

McKinsey's NBN bloc demands scrutiny

McKinsey's growing influence on the National Broadband Network Company is a concerning fact that should continue to be closely scrutinised.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Huawei backs NBN model

A leading global player in providing high-speed internet systems has backed the Rudd government's plan for an open-access national broadband network.

Source: Australian IT

Fri, 01st Jan 2010

2009 Broadband Survey now running

The Australian Broadband Survey 2009 is here, and we are once again asking consumers to have their say about the state of broadband in Australia.

Source: Whirlpool

Thu, 31st Dec 2009

Internet filter: just geeks beating their chests?

Ask the man-in-the-street about Conroy's filter proposal and they'll probably tell you it's a good idea. Geeks may hold the theoretical high-ground, but right now the electorate doesn't care.

Source: iTWire

Wed, 30th Dec 2009

ISP moments in 2009

2009 was a blockbuster year for the telecommunications and Internet Service Provider (ISP) industry by anyone's standards. As the year draws to a close we take a look at some (but not all) of the big events that shaped the year.

Source: Computerworld

NBN a game changer

The next 10 years in the telecommunications industry will be dominated by three little letters that promise to open the competitive landscape like never before and transform the way Australians interact on the internet.

Source: Australian IT

Tue, 29th Dec 2009

NBN tenders are not secret: Conroy

Broadband Minister Stephen Conroy has denied that private tenders issued to build Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) were secured behind closed doors.

Source: iTnews Australia

Mon, 28th Dec 2009

Japan connects to TPE regional fiber network

A new undersea fiber-optic cable has gone into operation that links Japan with the regional Trans-Pacific Express Cable Network (TPE), Japanese carrier NTT Communications said Monday.

Source: ARN

Electronic Frontiers Australia ramps up anti-filtering campaign

Electronic Frontiers Australia is planning a number of initiatives in January against the Government's plan to introduced mandatory ISP-side Internet filtering, including National Day of Action on Australia Day, 26 January.

Source: iTWire

Thu, 24th Dec 2009

Court asks Optus to lift Pivotel ban

The Federal Court has ordered Optus to unblock voice calls and text messages to users of Pivotel, a satellite and mobile communications company.

Source: Australian IT

FTTP homes to cost more

The housing affordability crisis could worsen if developers are forced to install high-speed broadband connections in greenfield estates come July 1.

Source: Australian IT

Wed, 23rd Dec 2009

Aussie ISPs "a timid lot" when it comes to IPv6

Australian ISPs have been branded "a timid lot" for their tardiness in providing support for the new Internet address protocol IPv6, soon to be essential as the IPv4 address space becomes exhausted.

Source: iTWire