Broadband News

Tue, 03rd Nov 2009

Survey debunks broadband productivity gains

A NZ government-funded survey has raised questions about the productivity gains to be made from providing fast internet access.

Source: ZDNet Australia

AFACT v iiNet: Malone says no legal ability to disconnect users

In its case against the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) at the Federal Court of Australia iiNet CEO Michael Malone said despite "compelling evidence" suggesting users were downloading illicit files, such as child pornography, the ISP did not have the legal ability to disconnect users.

Source: Computerworld

AFACT vs iiNet: ISP receives warrants daily

iiNet receives warrants and other orders to match users' IP addresses suspected of copyright infringement with internal contact details on a daily basis, the ISP's CEO Michael Malone said in its civil case against the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) at the Federal Court of Australia today.

Source: Computerworld

When angry Telstra shareholders attack

Telstra shareholders travelled from far and wide to vent their frustrations as owners and customers to the telco's chairperson, Catherine Livingstone and chief David Thodey.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Pipe seeks to settle out of court with Market Clarity

Telecommunications company Pipe Networks is seeking to settle a legal battle with analyst firm Market Clarity out of court.

Source: iTnews Australia

Day 12: Exetel blog surfaces in iiNet cross-examination

The film industry has today attempted to introduced blog posts from Exetel chief John Linton and People Telecom's copyright policy as examples of what other industry players are doing to combat alleged infringement on their networks.

Source: iTnews Australia

iiNet unperturbed by AFACT grilling

Iinet CEO, Michael Malone, is taking the stand again after a full day's questioning by legal counsel for the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT), yesterday.

Source: ARN

Mon, 02nd Nov 2009

AFACT allegations 'unsubstantiated' despite DTecNet probe: iiNet CEO

iiNet CEO Michael Malone has come out of his corner punching after taking the stand for the first time in the ISP’s defence against the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft action in the Federal Court today. However, Malone did make one important concession.

Source: iTWire

Day Eleven: Westnet policy "may have breached" Telco Act

Perth ISP Westnet may have breached the Telecommunications Act by passing notices of alleged copyright infringement on to its customers, iiNet chief Michael Malone alleged in the Federal Court today.

Source: iTnews Australia

Day Eleven: iiNet accused of "obstructive" copyright policy

iiNet chief Michael Malone has denied attempts by the film industry's counsel to label the ISP's attitude towards protecting the rights of copyright owners as "obstructive".

Source: iTnews Australia

"Mission accomplished" on IT transformation, says Telstra

Telstra has revealed that its IT transformation costs have risen 60 percent above its 2007 estimate of $2.5b, but says this is not an over-run and that cost reductions elsewhere have seen the overall $12b five year transformation project come in with $0.2b of budget.

Source: iTWire

AFACT attacks Westnet piracy policy

iiNet managing director Michael Malone today denied that cancelling iiNet subsidiary Westnet's policy to forward copyright breach notifications was designed to be obstructive to copyright holders.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN 'a platform for innovation'

The National Broadband Network (NBN) could become a technological platform for innovation by Australian companies, according to a senior executive at a leading professional services firm.

Source: iTWire

AFACT v iiNet: Michael Malone grilled on copyright breach policy

iiNet chief executive officer, Michael Malone kicked off iiNet's case as the first witness in its legal battle with the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) in the Federal Court today.

Source: Computerworld

Day Eleven: iiNet chief "hit the roof" on Westnet copyright policy

ISP iiNet chief Michael Malone has been accused of submitting "utterly misleading" affidavits and lying under oath over his knowledge of an alleged automated system at Westnet for dealing with copyright infringement notices.

Source: iTnews Australia

iiNet rolls out more DSLAMs in regional towns

ISP iiNet has announced plans to roll its own DSLAMs out to eight "regional communities" in four states, on the back of "new competitive backhaul" options in those areas supplied by Optus.

Source: iTnews Australia

Sun, 01st Nov 2009

Coalition should get out of the way: Tanner

The Coalition had 11 years to fix competition problems in telecommunications and did nothing, and should now get out of the way and let Government reform the sector, Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner said.

Source: iTWire

Sat, 31st Oct 2009

AFACT v iiNet case could tarnish music industry image

As the battle between the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) and iiNet recommences on Monday, a law professor has told Computerworld the corporate music industry’s attack on technology is giving it image problems.

Source: Computerworld

Fri, 30th Oct 2009

iiNet's copyright crucible heats up

The Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft's (AFACT) hunt for Australia's third largest internet service provider iiNet is set to resume on Monday, with all eyes on its managing director Michael Malone as he takes the stand.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Conroy wins Greens with Senate inquiry pledge

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy will support a Senate inquiry into the use of commercial-in-confidence provisions by governments in a pledge to win support from the Greens for a motion ensuring the telecommunications reform bill gets debated this year.

Source: iTWire

Telstra breakup bill debate resumes

A Senate order canning debate on Communication Minister Stephen Conroy's bill to break up Telstra and give the competition watchdog stronger powers has been overturned.

Source: iTnews Australia

AFACT v iiNet decision months away

The legal stoush between the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft and Internet service provider, iiNet, resumes on Monday, but the judge's decision is unlikely to come until next year. iiNet chief executive officer, Michael Malone, is expected to take the stand to kick off the ISP's case, after AFACT finished presenting its witnesses to the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney two weeks ago.

Source: Computerworld

Thu, 29th Oct 2009

Telstra dangles lure with prepaid wireless 3G offer - but will customers take the bait?

A "bonus" 1GB of data and a chance to double your download limit are two ways Telstra is hoping to attract more of the prepaid wireless crowd.

Source: PC Authority

Exetel boss bets against NBN and Quigley

Boss of internet service provider Exetel, John Linton, says the National Broadband Network should be handed to the only company that can build it - Telstra - and he's not impressed by NBN Co chief Mike Quigley.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra unsure on NBN assets

Telstra expects to reach agreement with the government on the national broadband network by December, but chief executive David Thodey says any deal on selling assets must provide fair value for shareholders.

Source: Australian IT

Conroy wins battle for Telco Bill debate

Minister for Communications Stephen Conroy has won the support of the Greens, independent Nick Xenophon and Family First's Steven Fielding to have the government's telecommunications reform legislation debated before the end of the year.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra CEO available 'on-demand' for Conroy

Telstra CEO David Thodey makes himself available to Communications minister Senator Conroy 'on-demand' for separation talks, he told media at the telco's investor's day in Sydney yesterday.

Source: iTnews Australia

Telstra network sale: show us the money

Telstra chief executive David Thodey has pledged the company will seek shareholder approval in the event it agrees to sell infrastructure to the Federal Government for the proposed national broadband network - and will want cash.

Source: SMH

Comms Alliance progresses NBN model

Communications Alliance has announced further progress in its work to develop an architecture model for the National Broadband Network.

Source: iTWire

Australian internet fails pigeon test

A pigeon has transferred a 700 megabyte file faster than a car or a Telstra ADSL internet connection in rural Australia.

Source: iTnews Australia