Broadband News
Thu, 19th Nov 2009
NBN Co's Kaiser to get $450,000 a year
The recently appointed NBN Co government relations officer, Mike Kaiser, will receive a salary of $450,000 per year according to a document tabled in parliament yesterday.
Source: Computerworld
Wed, 18th Nov 2009
Telstra to confirm set-top box, cable upgrade
Telstra has told the press it will tomorrow announce an upgrade to its cable broadband network and unveil a "new high definition set-top box".
Source: iTnews Australia
Optus first off the blocks with LTE trial
Optus has stolen a march on Telstra - the long time Australian leader in cellular telephony - with the announcement of plans for the first carrier trials of the next iteration of cellular technology in Australia, Long Term Evolution (LTE) which promises greatly increased broadband data bandwidths (with additional spectrum).
Source: iTWire
Exetel offer radical new approach on download limits
ISP Exetel has changed some of its subscriber's plans from a fixed off-peak download limit to a limit based on an average that users can check every day.
Source: iTnews Australia
Telstra separation the "deal of the decade" for shareholders: IDC
The separation of Telstra presents a once in a decade opportunity for its shareholders according to IDC telecommunications analyst David Cannon.
Source: Computerworld
Tue, 17th Nov 2009
New powers for spooks snooping on the internet
The Australian Greens have issued a dissenting report on amendments to the Telecommunications Interception Act, objecting to increased powers given to authorities to intercept internet messages for the purpose of protecting critical computer network infrastructure.
Source: iTWire
Greens object to underbaked network interception bill
Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has pulled the handbrake on the Federal Government's Telecommunications Interception Bill, demanding more clarity for network operators and greater privacy provisions for citizens.
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN could drive up housing costs
Concerns have been raised that the cost of connecting new houses to the National Broadband Network will deter developers and drive first home buyers out of the market.
Source: ABC News
Rivals fearful of Pipe takeover
With one of the largest DSLAM footprints nationally, a ballooning share price and plans for an extensive network of domestic and international backhaul infrastructure, SP Telemedia is emerging as one of the heavyweights in the broadband sector.
Source: Australian IT
Thodey: NBN speeds a hard sell
Telstra chief executive David Thodey today said that realism was needed on how many people would take up high speed services offered by the National Broadband Network (NBN) given that only 5 per cent of the telco's home customers had taken up its fast ADSL2+ service.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Minchin guns for NBN 'Labor mate' in Senate
The Coalition has raised the stakes in its campaign against the appointment of Queensland Premier Anna Bligh’s chief of staff Mike Kaiser to the NBN Company, filing a Senate motion to clarify whether any Ministers assisted the hiring process.
Source: iTWire
'Truth in bandwidth' box unveiled
An Australian-made "bandwidth meter'' in a box will be used by the federal government to ensure remote and regional internet users are not being ripped off.
Source: Australian IT
Mon, 16th Nov 2009
NBN will drive mobile broadband sector
The national broadband network will create new opportunities for mobile data, but the main game for the mobile carriers remains access to future spectrum allocations, Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association chief executive Chris Althaus says.
Source: iTWire
25 per cent think Telstra will run NBN
More than a quarter of people surveyed believe Telstra will assume control of the $43 billion National Broadband Network (NBN).
Source: ZDNet Australia
iiNet taps on Channel 9, Ten battle
iiNet has drawn on Nine Network's 2004 court battle with Channel Ten over clips broadcast on The Panel as part of its bid to fend a Hollywood-backed copyright lawsuit in the NSW Federal Court.
Source: Australian IT
Tassie Education asks burning NBN question
Tasmania's Department of Education wants help from the IT industry to "broaden its thinking" on what it could use the national broadband network for.
Source: iTnews Australia
Tasmania asks for help on NBN
The Tasmanian Government has put out a call to the information and communications technology industry for suggestions on how to best use the National Broadband Network and Digital Education Revolution for the students of the state.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Minchin: NBNco a "gravy train" for Rudd's mates
Shadow broadband Minister, Senator Nick Minchin, has lashed out at the Government's recent NBNco appointments, claiming the organisation is a "dumping ground" for Labor supporters and ex-party staffers.
Source: ARN
Sun, 15th Nov 2009
Optus chief urges Senate to pass telco reforms
Optus chief Paul O'Sullivan has urged Federal Parliament to pass without delay telecommunications reform legislation scheduled to be debated in the Senate over the next two weeks, saying the changes will unleash a new wave of competition in the sector.
Source: iTWire
Sat, 14th Nov 2009
TPG: Don't worry, we're just like Optus
A spokesperson for Pipe Networks' potential new parent, SP Telemedia, has pointed to Optus as a prime example of how it can successfully operate a wholesale and retail telco.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Top posts on the AFACT v iiNet case - Week 4
In the closing stages of the iiNet vs AFACT case at the Federal Court of Australia, online debate about the pros and cons of each side's arguments continues unabated.
Source: Computerworld
Fri, 13th Nov 2009
Day 19: Federal Court reserves another day for copyright case
The Justice presiding over the copyright case between ISP iiNet and the film industry has again extended the number of days reserved to hear the case.
Source: iTnews Australia
TPG and PIPE will work well together: Teoh
SP Telemedia (SPT) chairman David Teoh has brushed aside concerns TPG and PIPE Networks cultures will clash saying the two have a lot in common.
Source: Computerworld
Day 19: Film studio "prism" distorts iiNet activities
The film industry's reading of case law and of ISP iiNet's internal documents was distorted by the "prism of concern" the studios had for their copyrights, the Federal Court heard today.
Source: iTnews Australia
Internode may be alone for some time in IPv6 trial
Internode is going it alone in offering a trial of IPv6 services in native mode on its national ADSL network as other large ISPs report they won't be following suit in the near future. Internode recently announced an IPv6 trial across the company's national network and provides concurrent IPv6 and IPv4 PPP access for any router or computer that supports it.
Source: Computerworld
Day 19: iiNet tries to show disbalance in studio demands
ISP iiNet will argue the "reasonable steps" that the film industry proposes the ISP take are disproportionate to the number of infringements recorded against a sample of 20 user accounts.
Source: iTnews Australia
Mike Kaiser to head NBN Co external affairs
NBN Co has appointed Mike Kaiser - former chief of staff to NSW premier Morris Iemma and presently chief of staff to Queensland premier, Anna Bligh - as principal - government relations and external affairs and Claire Rawlins as chief information officer.
Source: iTWire
iiNet stands firm on Telco Act defence
iiNet did not comply with requests to cancel the accounts of alleged copyright infringers, but it did not need to, iiNet's legal counsel argued today as the ISP started to close off its legal battle in the Federal Court.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Pipe customers apprehensive over Soul/TPG acquisition
Several of Pipe Networks' customers have expressed apprehension about the company's imminent sale to telecom player, Soul/TPG.
Source: ARN
Thu, 12th Nov 2009
Pipe Networks sell-out an absolute travesty
The proposed buyout of Pipe Networks by SP Telemedia is an absolute travesty for Australia's telecommunications industry and will be overwhelmingly negative for customers, Pipe Networks staff, shareholders and the industry as a whole.
Source: ZDNet Australia