NBN: Australia can’t trust Labor, says Turnbull
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has issued a scorching statement on Labor's track record in building the National Broadband Network, declaring that the three-year NBN rollout plan delivered last week was "a duplicitous and ham-fisted attempt" to conceal its failure to deliver.
Govt’s treatment of Huawei is inconsistent
While it is impossible for outsiders such as Ovum to assess the merits of national security issues because there is too much we don’t know, it is clear that there has been a lack of consistency and transparency in the way that Huawei has been treated.
Innovation is key in the Asian Century
If we are to fully capitalise on the benefits of the Asian Century, we need to fully embrace Chinese innovation and R&D in exactly the same way we would with any other country. To do anything else would risk Australia not being ‘on the right side of history’.
Gillard strongly defends Huawei NBN ban
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has strongly defended the Government's decision to ban Chinese technology giant Huawei from making bids to supply equipment to the National Broadband Network project, rejecting suggestions the move would cause diplomatic ructions and emphasising the Australian Government's right to make its own choice.
Conroy sees “positive outcome” ahead on filter
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has indicated the Government is having discussions with the telecommunications industry about the future of its controversial mandatory Internet filtering project, the future of which is currently hanging in the balance, following the delivery of a review of Australia's classification system.
NBN Co releases three-year rollout plan
The National Broadband Network company today released a detailed plan of the locations and schedule where it plans to deploy fibre and wireless broadband infrastructure over the next three years, noting that the rollout was slated to hit some 3.5 million premises in 1500 communities in every state and territory in Australia.
Huawei’s NBN ban: A 24 hour round-up
With this in mind, if you are interested in the Huawei NBN story, we can only recommend that you head to the the AFR and check out the following stories on the issue, where the paper has gathered the views of many, many different government and industry stakeholders on the issue. The best thing? None of it's paywalled.
Australia Post reveals digital mailbox plan
Australia Post has announced that what it has described as a "Digital Mailbox" will be offered free to every Australian this year.
MyNetFone unveils NBN plans
Internet telephony company MyNetFone has released its National Broadband Network plans and pricing. The NBN service will be available from May 2012 and represents the latest addition to the company’s ISP repertoire following its foray into the field through the Naked DSL services.
Oops
The Australian newspaper is forced to correct a report regarding the National Broadband Network and a college in South Australia.
Huawei’s NBN blockout raises fundamental questions
As I have argued for several years now – and Alexander Downer himself has stated in recent weeks – the argument that Huawei is some sort of quasi-intelligence gathering arm of the Beijing government is so ludicrous that it should scarcely be tolerated in serious company.
Visionstream bags $300m Tassie NBN deal
Leighton subsidiary Visionstream has won a $300 million contract from the National Broadband Network Company for the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in Tasmania.
The Department for ACTA
A key player in Australia’s negotiations to the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) revealed itself last Monday and surprisingly it wasn’t News Ltd, the US Embassy in Canberra or even a reigning political party. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade emerged as ACTA’s cheerleader-in-chief in Australia, trumpeting the benefits of the treaty before a rare open federal parliamentary committee.
Please explain Huawei ban, Greens tell Labor
The Greens have called on the Labor Federal Government to publicly disclose its reasons and associated evidence for blocking Chinese networking giant Huawei from tendering for National Broadband Network contracts, pointing out that the company has not been accused of breaking any laws.
Huawei espionage claims “completely absurd”: Downer
Former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has reportedly described claims that Chinese networking vendor Huawei has links to cyber-espionage from its home country as "completely absurd", in the wake of news that the company has been banned from participating in National Broadband Network contracts for such involvement.
Qld Police go war-driving for insecure Wi-Fi
As part of the National Consumer Fraud Week currently underway, the Queensland Police Service is launching a new project aimed at encouraging the public to check their wireless internet connection and ensure it is secure, which entails it driving around the state and detecting unsecured wireless networks.
Angry iiNet roars dissent at FOXTEL/Austar merger
National broadband provider iiNet has fired off a sternly worded missive to the national competition regulator arguing that a proposed undertaking by FOXTEL to mitigate anti-competitive outcomes in the subscription television space was wholly unsatisfactory and may allow FOXTEL part-owner Telstra to extend its broadband dominance in regional areas.
Govt bans Huawei from NBN tenders
Federal Attorney-General Nicola Roxon appears to have confirmed that her department has banned Chinese networking giant Huawei from participating in the multi-billion dollar National Broadband Network tendering process, despite the company not being accused of having broken any pertinent laws in Australia.
Exetel releases $55 ‘Fair Use’ unlimited ADSL plan
National broadband provider Exetel has once again dipped its toe into the 'Unlimited' broadband plan market, launching a new offering at $55 and $65 monthly price points (including telephone line rental) that will see customers who exceed average usage patterns requested to reduce their downloading habits.
ISP: Secret anti-BitTorrent piracy talks failing
It’s perhaps understandable that the rightsholders and ISPs don’t want their personal arguments heard in public. But by not allowing the people whose habits they hope to change get involved, it leads away from greater cooperation and understanding and towards suspicion and isolation. Piracy reductions definitely won’t be found at the end of that road.
Pirate Party slams extreme govt secrecy
Pirate Party Australia has condemned the actions of Attorney-General Nicola Roxon, whose department has refused to release documents regarding closed door discussions on the issue of Internet copyright infringement under Freedom of Information laws.
Telstra downplays 3G CBD issue
The nation's largest telco Telstra has sought to downplay issues being experienced by customers using its 3G mobile network in central business district areas, stating that it's happy with how the network is performing but acknowledging that there are pockets in the network that could get congested and were scheduled to be upgraded.
Vodafone replaces CEO Dews
Vodafone Australia yesterday announced the appointment of Bill Morrow as the company’s new chief executive, succeeding Nigel Dews, the current Vodafone CEO who has been assigned a senior role within Vodafone part-owner Hutchison Whampoa, reporting to group managing director, Canning Fok.
Some ISPs’ shaping speeds slower under the NBN
A number of Australian ISPs, including Internode, Primus, Engin and ClubTelco, have set shaping speeds on their National Broadband Network fibre plans slower than the shaping speeds on their existing ADSL broadband services, despite the fact that the NBN's fibre infrastructure offers base speeds substantially higher than the copper-based ADSL network.
TPG considering unlimited NBN plan
National broadband provider TPG is reportedly considering launching a National Broadband Network pricing plan offering unlimited download quota, similar to its popular existing ADSL2+ unlimited plans.
Senate order: Greens demand secret piracy docs
The Australian Greens have filed a motion in the Senate requesting that the Government release documents regarding its closed door meetings on Internet piracy which the Attorney-General's Department has blocked from being released under Freedom of Information laws.
In secret piracy talks, iiNet risks losing its integrity
By participating in a series of highly secret, closed door negotiations with the Government and the content industry over the future of Internet piracy in Australia, national broadband provider iiNet risks losing its integrity and the trust of its customers that it will represent their best interests on the issue.
iiNet launches faster ADSL transfer process
National broadband provider iiNet has introduced changes in its broadband transfer process, making it possible to switch to an iiNet service easily, in a few hours -- allowing them to avoid the lengthy downtime associated with churning to a new ISP, which can sometimes extend to several weeks.
Optus 4G trial blazes past 70Mbps
Australia’s number two telco Optus announced late last week that it had successfully completed what it said was the nation’s first 4G mobile broadband trial using 700MHz – a new mobile frequency providing wider coverage and faster speeds as compared to the existing 4G mobile services that used the 1800MHz spectrum.
Blackout: Govt piracy meeting completely censored
The Federal Government has declined to reveal almost any information about a second secret industry meeting held in February this year to address the issue of Internet piracy, using a variety of complex justifications to avoid releasing virtually any detail of the meeting under Freedom of Information laws.
iiNet dumps off-peak quotas … but not on NBN plans
National broadband provider iiNet has dumped the idea of separating quota on its ADSL broadband plans into on- and off-peak chunks, but has not extended the same system to its National Broadband Network plans.
Vodafone up for sale, reports The Australian
The Australian newspaper has reported that embattled mobile telco Vodafone Australia has been put up for sale, with a memorandum on the issue having been issued to potential buyers such as telcos and investment houses in Asia and Europe.
Telstra’s 3G network is dying in CBDs
Popularity has its downside. Reports from around Australia over the past week have made it very clear that Telstra's flagship Next G network is often struggling to function at all in the CBDs of capital cities such as Sydney and Melbourne during peak load times, leaving customers in the lurch without any access to wireless broadband.
Telstra parts ways with Sensis CEO
Telstra yesterday announced that long-time Sensis CEO Bruce Akhurst would leave the company in May after 15 years in service.
Vodafone ‘guarantees’ network quality — or your money back
‘Vodafone Network Guarantee’ is mobile telco Vodafone’s latest move to assuage irate customers in the face of continuing network concerns and coverage woes. The Guarantee, introduced on a trial basis in South Australia and the ACT from the first week of September 2011, and nationally on December 4th, 2011, is applicable to all new and upgrading customers who had signed up for the post-paid plan.
Interpol filter causes sharp drop in offensive requests
The implementation of a limited Internet filter at Telstra has caused a dramatic and rapid drop in the numbers of attempts by the telco's customers to access child abuse materials online, statistics released by the Australian Federal Police have shown.
Telstra seals $11 billion NBN deal
Telstra announced yesterday that it had finalised its Definitive Agreements with the National Broadband Network Company and the Commonwealth for Telstra’s participation in the rollout of the NBN. The agreements and associated Government policy commitments would provide Telstra $11 billion in post-tax net present value over the long-term life of the agreements.
No switch-off date yet for Usenet, says Internode
Internode today clarified that it had as yet set no date for when it will stop providing customers with subsidised access to Usenet Newsgroup services, although it still plans to do so at "some future point".
iiNet and Internode revamp broadband plans
National broadband provider and iiNet subsidiary Internode has announced revised broadband plans, with reduced prices and data quotas aligned to its popular NBN plans. And parent iiNet has introduced Internode's data blocks feature to its own plan structure.
Telstra signs up first Next G wholesaler
The nation's largest telco Telstra today revealed it had signed up the first telco customer to resell its flagship Next G network, with the company being itself a wholesaler of telecommunications services named iTelecom Wholesale.
Optus caught up in SingTel restructure
The nation’s number two telco Optus will undergo a substantial restructure which will see its long-time chief executive take up a wider role within its parent SingTel, it was revealed today, as SingTel reorganises its Asia-Pacific operation around a series of core vertical businesses rather than its traditional geographic markets.
Conroy’s filter: To be or not to be?
Two and a half years ago, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy announced a significant delay to Labor's controversial mandatory Internet filter project, pending a review into the Refused Classification category of content which the filter was to block.The results of that review were published yesterday and contain very little guidance for the Minister. What will Conroy do now?
iiNet announces NBN satellite plans
Australia’s second largest DSL Internet provider, iiNet has announced it will launch its first National Broadband Network satellite services in the latter part of March and has provided details of its pricing plans, which start at $49.95 per month.
Turnbull again misleads public on NBN
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has this week made a number of misleading and factually inaccurate statements in a series of interviews and comments about the Government's National Broadband Network project, on topics ranging from the technology used in the project to its cost and retail broadband prices.
Telstra NBN prices aren’t final: Conroy
The comparatively expensive National Broadband Network pricing plans released by Telstra this week aren't the telco's final prices, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said yesterday, with Telstra to release more packages in the near future.
Conroy misleads public on Internet filter
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy today appeared to consciously tell a factual inaccuracy with respect to the current implementation status of Labor's controversial Internet filtering project, stating that Telstra and Optus had implemented the filtering system, when they have only implemented a drastically reduced version.
Why AFACT is wrong (and always will be)
The expression ‘copyright theft’ is a paradox: it is impossible to take away a person’s right to copy information or ideas. ‘Theft’ is used to misinform the public, media and, most importantly, lawmakers, in order to outlaw what many see as perfectly normal behaviour.
ACCC accepts Telstra separation undertaking
Australia's competition regulator today signalled it would accept the final version of Telstra's plan to structurally separate its operations and migrate its customers onto the National Broadband Network over the next decade, in a landmark reform pushed for by Telstra's rivals for the past decade.
Stephen Conroy trawls Whirlpool threads
Think your fevered rantings on Australia's technology forum of forums, Whirlpool, are private and just among mates? Think again. Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has admitted he is addicted to trawling threads on the site for the latest posts about his pet project, the National Broadband Network.
Telstra’s NBN plans: Just universally awful
Telstra's National Broadband Network plans released today are the broadband equivalent of Kryptonite. With less choice, less download quotas and less value than any other provider on the market, but for a higher price, Telstra's NBN options do more than stink -- they glow with a sickly radioactive foulness and should be avoided at all costs.
Telstra releases expensive NBN pricing
The nation's largest telco Telstra has released its commercial pricing plans for the National Broadband Network, with the company's plans appearing to be significantly more expensive than those available from rival providers such as Optus and iiNet.
Turnbull “gets” the NBN, claims Oakeshott
Independent MP Rob Oakeshott has stated that he would be more willing to deal with a Coalition Government led by Malcolm Turnbull than Tony Abbott, due, among other reasons, to the fact that Turnbull "gets" the need for the National Broadband Network project to go ahead.
Telstra signs NBN Co wholesale deal
The nation's biggest telco Telstra this morning confirmed it had signed the wholesale services agreement with the National Broadband Network Company which the industry has been negotiating with NBN Co for the past 15 months, in a move which paves the way for Telstra to finally release its commercial retail NBN prices.
Save the NBN Kevin, you’re our only hope
The fate of the National Broadband Network now rests squarely in the hands of Kevin Rudd. If the former Prime Minister wins power back from Julia Gillard, Labor has a chance of retaining power at the next election and continuing the NBN rollout. If he fails to do so, most commentators agree, Gillard will be annihilated and Abbott will scrap the project wholesale.
Technology ministers strongly back Gillard
The Federal Government's cadre of Labor Ministers most involved with the technology portfolio have emerged as strong backers of Julia Gillard in the Prime Minister's tussle with rival Kevin Rudd which erupted last night following Rudd's resignation as Foreign Minister.
ISP launches 2TB, 100Mbps NBN plan for $105
One of the smaller players in Australia's broadband marketplace has launched a range of innovative National Broadband Network pricing plans, including a top-end 100Mbps plan with 2TB of monthly quota and for $104.95, and a low-end plan which would cost customers as little as $29.95 per month.
NBN enjoys prolonged popular support
The results of a new poll released this week by research houses Essential Media and Your Source has shown that Labor's flagship National Broadband Network policy has continued to enjoy strong levels of popularity, especially amongst Labor and Greens voters, since the last Federal Election.
Fact-checking NBN politics: Where reality defeats spin
Perhaps the most common complaint about the ongoing National Broadband Network debate is the extent to which it has become dominated by misleading political spin that may obscure the fundamental ideas being discussed. With this in mind, this article will attempt to fact-check a number of recent NBN-related statements from both sides of politics. Who's telling porkies? We'll find out.
Optus buys Vividwireless for $230m
Australia's number two telco Optus this morning revealed it would buy wireless broadband player Vividwireless from its parent the Seven Group, for a total cost of $230 million, in a move which Optus said will birth a new 4G mobile broadband network in Australia.
Turnbull’s satellite claims bunk, says Conroy
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has blasted Coalition Senators for not asking a single question in Senates Estimates sessions that would test the claims of Opposition Communications Spokesman Malcolm Turnbull about the adequacy of current satellite capacity to serve Australia’s remote and regional communities.
Telstra unhappy with ACCC ADSL regulation
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) decision to declare (regulate) a wholesale ADSL service and set an interim access determination for it has elicited strong reactions from Telstra and Optus. While Telstra expressed disappointment at the ACCC decision, Optus welcomed it as a significant win for both consumers and the industry.
Exetel reveals 300GB, 100Mbps NBN plan for $70
Second-tier Australian ISP Exetel has launched a 300GB National Broadband Network pricing plan at 100Mbps for just $70 a month just a week after being criticised for having low top-end plans and undercutting rivals such as iiNet and Internode in the process.
Filter blocks Senators’ access to over 35m sites
Senator Scott Ludlam, Australian Greens communications spokesperson revealed in a media release yesterday that Australia’s parliamentarians have had their Web access heavily filtered. This follows the defeat of the Government’s proposed mandatory Internet filtering scheme more than a year ago.
Optus adds 182k mobile customers
Australia's number two telco Optus reported a net profit of A$177 million for the third quarter, representing growth of 4 percent, according to a Singtel Group news release yesterday. The company’s operating revenue was up 2 percent to A$2.42 billion, while EBITDA increased 2 percent to A$562 million.
Govt holds second secret anti-piracy meeting
The Federal Government has reportedly held a second secret meeting held between the content and telecommunications industries to address the issue of illegal file sharing through avenues such as BitTorrent.
The truth about NBN Co’s satellite needs
Does the National Broadband Network Company really need to launch two expensive new satellites to provide remote Australia with broadband? Setting the politics aside, from a technical perspective, it appears the answer is a clear: "Yes".
NBN pricing revisited: The ARPU argument
Grahame Lynch is a respected telecommunications commentator and a professional colleague of mine with whom I have shared many an ale. But, like other commentators on the issue of NBN pricing, he hasn't provided enough evidence to make his case that broadband prices will rise under the NBN.
Telstra in mobile: Making out like a bandit
The nation's largest telco Telstra has continued to blitz rivals Optus and Vodafone in the mobile phone and broadband market, revealing today that it had added 958,000 new customers to its roster over the past six months, in a year in which Vodafone went backward and Optus experienced only modest mobile customer growth.
Exetel cuts NBN prices, limits quota to 150GB
National broadband provider Exetel has radically slashed the number of National Broadband Network plans it offers customers, as well as cutting prices and limiting the total monthly download quota on any plan to 150GB.
Internode to migrate customers to iiNet DSLAMs
National broadband provider Internode this week said its intention was, where possible, to eventually migrate all customers using ADSL infrastructure from rival wholesale providers Optus and Telstra to infrastructure owned by its new parent iiNet, as part of a "highest-priority" project following its acquisition.
NBN Co inks $620m satellite deal
Rural and remote Australian communities will eventually be able to enjoy access to high-speed Internet not previously accessible, with the National Broadband Network Company (NBN Co) this week choosing Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) to build two next-generation Ka-band satellites to cover the regions.
Coalition missteps on NBN budget savings
The Federal Opposition has again incorrectly alleged that it could save money by cutting the Labor Federal Government's multi-billion dollar National Broadband Network project, despite financial projections which show the project is likely to make the Government billions.
Why NBN prices will be higher (by Malcolm Turnbull)
In this post, Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull responds to the claim that broadband pricing will not increase under Labor's National Broadband Network plan.
Optus launches small business NBN plans
The nation's number two telco Optus has released a clutch of National Broadband Network pricing plans aimed at small businesses, and has also revealed it will expand its consumer broadband plans in March, adding more bundles and 24 month contracts.
NBN policy: Show us some detail, Conroy tells Turnbull
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has demanded that the Coalition disclose some basic details of its rival broadband policy, noting that Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has not substantially outlined the policy further in public since a landmark speech on the issue in the middle of 2011.
NBN Co withholds fibre extension costs
The National Broadband Network Company has blocked a freedom of information request which would have seen information released about the amount which it will cost Australians outside the company's planned fibre broadband footprint extended to reach their premises.
Correction: NBN prices will not be higher
In several radio interviews this week, Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull stated that the National Broadband Network project would cause consumer broadband prices to rise higher than those currently on the market. However, unfortunately this statement was factually incorrect.
Fletcher wants Oz to learn from UK broadband policy
In a new blog entry entitled “What can we learn from the UK?”, Liberal MP Paul Fletcher has lambasted the broadband policies of the Gillard Government, unfavourable contrasting them with the approach of the Cameron Government in the UK.
Exetel’s John Linton has passed away
John Linton, the maverick chief executive of Internet service provider Exetel, has tragically passed away, according to several public notices published by Exetel staff this morning.
Turnbull wants strong ACCC oversight of NBN Co
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has warned the National Broadband Network Company must not not dodge Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) oversight, echoing concerns by a number of the company's ISP customers early this year.
Optus lacks vision and strategy, says Budde
Telecommunications analyst Paul Budde has published an entry in his blog thanking Optus, Australia’s second largest telco, on its 20th birthday for its contribution to telecommunications in the country over the last two decades, but also cautioning it on its lack of a vision for the future.
Correction: Cutting the NBN won’t save money
Yesterday Opposition Leader Tony Abbott stated in a high-profile speech at the National Press Club in Canberra that cutting Labor's National Broadband Network project would free up Federal Government money to be spent in other areas such as transport. It was a nice political soundbite. However, unfortunately, this statement was factually incorrect.
WA Govt funds Telstra mobile expansion
The nation's largest telco Telstra the Western Australian State Government's Regional Mobile Communication Project (RMCP) contract, a deal which will see Telstra receive $39.2 million from the state government and in return provide a value return of $106 million in the form of direct capital expenditure and access rights to Telstra’s infrastructure.
Optus Business nicks new MD from Telstra
Telecommunications giant Optus announced yesterday that John Paitaridis would be the new Managing Director of Optus Business, a its division providing telecommunications and information and communications technology (ICT) solutions to businesses.
iiNet completes Internode buyout a month early
National broadband provider iiNet this afternoon announced it had completed its $105 million buyout of rival Internode, a month ahead of schedule.
Abbott won’t recreate Labor’s “ham-fisted” Internet filter
The Opposition has formed a new working group to deal with the issue of online safety for Australian children, stating that its rival policy will avoid the "ham-fisted" "cyber-censorship" mandatory Internet filtering approach that remains Labor Federal Government policy for dealing with the issue of how children are protected from Internet nasties.
TPG breaks its silence over Telstra terms
National broadband provider TPG has broken what has appeared to be a long-term policy of not criticising the nation's largest telco Telstra over its supply terms to rivals, slamming the big T's wholesale approach in a new submission filed early this year with the competition regulator.
Internode revamps estates fibre plans
National broadband provider Internode has released a new series of plans for residents of new housing estates which have their fibre infrastructure operated by independent fibre specialists Opticomm and OPENetworks, harmonising the plans with its existing National Broadband Network pricing.
Rival ISPs slam ‘discriminatory’ Telstra fibre deal
The Competitive Carriers’ Coalition (CCC) this week objected strongly to the Government’s decision to exempt Telstra, the nation’s largest telco, from its own regulations in more than 100 locations around the country, saying that it will leave thousands of Australians without the full benefits of increasing competition in broadband markets.
Ludlam suspects Govt of bugging his iPhone
Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has publicly stated that he suspects law enforcement agencies of bugging his mobile phone, despite admitting that he doesn't have a shred of evidence that such action might be taking place, and despite the fact that he has not had his mobile phone examined for bugging software.
Vodafone confirms internal restructuring
National mobile telco Vodafone has confirmed a report by News Ltd newspaper The Australian that it's planning to cut members of its executive team, in a wide-ranging restructure that could affect a number of mid-level executives at the company.
Status quo remains in Telstra’s South Brisbane
The nation's largest telco Telstra has confirmed it will not address several of the largest complaints by other ISPs about the way it is handling its new fibre rollout in the South Brisbane exchange area, despite signing a new accord regarding the region with Communications Minister Stephen Conroy.
ISP data retention still an issue, Ludlam warns
Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has warned that a secretive proposal -- known as 'data retention -- by the Attorney-General's Department to force internet service providers to store a wealth of information pertaining to Australians' emails and telephone calls is still an issue, with the public needing to remain vigilant on how the Government handles Internet surveillance.
iiNet offers Wi-Fi in Perth CBD
National broadband company iiNet revealed late last week that it had installed a Wi-Fi service throughout the Perth central business district that would let any customer of its growing family of brands access free Internet in the area.
Victorian Govt still disappointed in NBN
The Coalition-led Victorian State Government has again sharply criticised the Labor Federal Government's National Broadband Network project for not adequately meeting the needs of residents of the state.
Greens slam “offensive” secret piracy meetings
Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has attacked the Federal Government, which his party is in broad partnership with to form Government, for holding what he said were "offensive" secret meetings with the content and ISP industries on the issue of illicit Internet file-sharing.
Australia gets new fibre cable to Singapore
Australia’s international internet capacity is in for a significant increase with the planned development of a new optic fibre submarine cable system, ASSC-1, between Perth and Singapore.
Govt blocks Internode FOI request for Telstra/NBN deal
The Federal Government's Information Commissioner has rejected an attempt by internet service provider Internode to obtain the complete text of Telstra's $11 billion deal with the National Broadband Network Company under Freedom of Information laws.
Optus signs NBN wholesale contract
The nation's number two telco Optus this afternoon confirmed it had signed the wholesale services agreement which Optus and other telcos have been negotiating with NBN Co for the past 15 months.
Optus launches customer forum
Giant national telco Optus has followed rivals Telstra and Vodafone and launched its own dedicated online customer support forum, supported by members of its successful social media team.
Support Wikipedia blackout, Greens tell Labor
The Australian Greens Party has demanded that Australia's Labor Federal Government support efforts such as Wikipedia's site blackout initiative to protest the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and associated legislation currently being considered by the US Government.
Russell’s return: Optus COO post beckons
One of Optus chief executive Paul O'Sullivan's bitterest telecommunications industry rivals has returned from a stint working overseas to become his chief lieutenant at SingTel Optus.
Govt censors secret anti-piracy meeting notes
Citing the "public interest", the Federal Attorney-General's Department has censored from documents released under Freedom of Information laws eight pages of notes taken by one of its staff members at a secret meeting held in September last year to address the issue of Internet piracy, after initially stating that no minutes were taken of the meeting.
A couple of important NBN corrections
Over the past several weeks, several prominent newspaper commentators have published a number of factual inaccuracies with respect to the Federal Government's National Broadband Network project. With the aim of informing good public policy debate, it seems appropriate to try and correct the record.
TPG may buy iiNet, Telstra tells staff
Telstra has issued a newsletter to its staff informing them that iiNet's buyout of Internode will likely see TPG vaulted into clear third place in Australia's broadband market, following a likely buyout of iiNet by TPG.
Attorney-General ignoring consumers: Pirate Party
The Pirate Party of Australia has strongly criticised the former Attorney-General Robert McClelland for ignoring consumers and supporting the content industry instead, in secretive talks held by his department.
Blackmailing NBN Co works best through the media
Over the past week a rather pathetic little game of bluster, bluff and ultimately blackmail has played itself out in Australia's telco sector as a handful of Australia's major ISPs have done everything in their power to demonstrate just how self-interested they can be when it comes to exploiting the National Broadband Network.
SA Premier gets US fast broadband tour
South Australia Premier Jay Weatherill has toured the high-tech city of Chattanooga, Tennessee in the United States, to survey the city’s revitalisation brought about with the use of high-speed broadband.
Regulator pins Vodafone on Do Not Call breaches
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued a statement noting that it has accepted an enforceable undertaking from Vodafone to restrain errant dealers telemarketing products from Vodafone and 3 Mobile.
Hackett hammers iiNode critics
Internode managing director Simon Hackett has strongly defended the pre-Christmas deal in which rival iiNet bought out his company Internode, stressing the strength and duration of his long-term relationship with iiNet's management team in two outspoken forum posts published last week.
Tension as NBN trial agreement ends
Tension is mounting between the National Broadband Network Company and its retail ISP customers about the final form of the wholesale agreement which will govern their relationship, with an impasse likely to leave the two sides unable to connect new retail NBN customers once an initial trial agreement ends on Thursday this week.
NBN detracts from productivity, claims Hockey
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey has made some ... interesting claims about Labor's flagship National Broadband Network project.
Chekhov’s gun: Why Hackett had to fire Internode
Reality check: Simon Hackett didn't sell Internode because of the National Broadband Network. He didn't sell it to cash out. And he certainly didn't sell it to take Internode to the next stage of its development. He sold it because one man -- no matter how strong -- can only hold up a visionary ideal for so long, and twenty years of doing so is more than enough.
The five NBN misconceptions of Tony Abbott
Yesterday Tony Abbott took to the airwaves on Sydney's 2UE radio station to discuss Labor's flagship National Broadband Network policy. But unfortunately, aided by a rather sympathetic host, the Opposition Leader got a few facts about the project wrong. So it's up to us to correct them.
Hackett’s NBN scale claim “sheerest nonsense”: Linton
Exetel chief executive John Linton has labelled as "the sheerest nonsense" the claim by Internode chief Simon Hackett that ISPs will need to gain scale to compete when the National Broadband Network is rolled out around Australia.
NBN take-up “a bitter jest”, says Turnbull
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has labelled news that NBN Co has signed up some 4,000 customers to its networks as "a bitter jest", pointing out that the company's own corporate plan planned for 35,000 customers to be using the infrastructure by June 2011, and 137,000 by June 2012.
NBN policy should integrate FTTN, HFC: Budde
Maverick telecommunications analyst Paul Budde has published a blog entry arguing that realising the vision of the National Broadband Network (NBN) initiative will require not just building new FTTH (Fibre to the Home) networks, but also retaining the current HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial) and FTTN (Fibre to the Node) networks currently being used in Australia.
The theory of infinite Simon Hacketts
Over on Whirlpool, forum poster Garthy advances an interesting theory about why the iiNet buyout of Internode took place, applying mathematical rigour to the situation to come up with the terrifying (or maybe glorious, depending on which way you look at it) prospect that the event may have the practical effect of creating an infinite number of Simon Hacketts.
Adam confident on NBN despite Internode exit
South Australian internet service provider Adam Internet has reiterated the company’s commitment to the South Australian market, subsequent to the surprise $105 million acquisition of fellow SA-based ISP Internode by long-time rival iiNet; expressing confidence about the company’s future in the National Broadband Network (NBN) environment.
Internode maintains filter stance after iiNet buyout
Internode managing director Simon Hackett said over the weekend that his company's position on government Internet filtering schemes would not change after its acquisition by iiNet.
Daily Telegraph repeatedly wrong in NBN reports
The Australian Press Council has expressed concern about the Daily Telegraph's coverage of the Federal Government's National Broadband Network project, backing a local critic's complaint that three articles in a short period of time had contained "inaccurate or misleading assertions" about the NBN.
Secret piracy talks: Govt banned consumer groups
The Federal Government has revealed it denied requests by consumer organisations to attend a secret meeting held between the content and telecommunications industries to address the issue of illegal file sharing through avenues such as BitTorrent.
Internode sale shows NBN killing competition: Turnbull
news iiNet's buyout of fellow ISP Internode demonstrated the dramatic reduction in competition Labor's flagship National Broadband Network policy was wreaking on Australia's telecommunications...
NBN policy spurred Internode buyout, says Hackett
Internode's inability to gain sufficient scale to compete in a National Broadband Network world was a core reason why he decided to sell the company to rival Internet service provider iiNet, Internode supremo Simon Hackett said this afternoon.
iiNet to buy Internode
iiNet has revealed it will buy fellow Australian Internet service provider Internode, in a surprise pre-Christmas announcement this afternoon which will dramatically consolidate Australia's broadband sector ahead of the rollout of the National Broadband Network.
ACMA orders Vodafone to fix customer problems
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has ordered mobile telco Vodafone, to fix its customer violations under the Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code (TCP Code) -- and threatened penalties if it doesn't.
Paul Fegan leaves Telstra
Telstra confirmed yesterday that Paul Fegan would be leaving the company after serving as Group Managing Director, Strategy and Corporate Services for less than a year. Fegan, who joined Telstra in January 2011, was responsible for the company’s mergers and acquisitions, communications, government/public policy and overall corporate strategy.
Telstra still working with Conroy on filter
Telstra is continuing to work with the Federal Government to filter a blacklist of child abuse sites developed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, despite the fact that the telco and rival Optus have already implemented a similar scheme with the cooperation of the Australian Federal Police and international policing agency Interpol.
Vodafone commences NBN trial
National mobile carrier Vodafone today revealed it had signed up the first customers for its trial of the National Broadband Network's fibre broadband network, and that its customers would also get access to the FetchTV Internet video platform.
iiNet, Internode, Primus discuss filter with AFP
Australian ISPs iiNet, Internode and Primus are preparing to implement the limited Internet filtering scheme promulgated in Australia by the Australian Federal Police in cooperation with international policing agency Interpol, the AFP stated in documents revealed this week.
Good guy Gates on the NBN
Good guy Gates on the National Broadband Network.
Bill Gates backs away from NBN debate
Bill Gates admits he doesn't know enough to comment on the National Broadband Network.
AXA Group CEO appointed Telstra CFO
Australia’s largest telco Telstra has announced that Andrew Penn would take over the position of Chief Financial Officer and Group Managing Director, Finance, starting March 1st, 2012. This follows a June announcement that Telstra’s long-time CFO John Stanhope would retire at the end of 2011.
No, Minister: Telco expert fact-checks Conroy claims
A British telecommunications expert has issued a detailed statement highlighting a number of what he alleged were factual errors contained in a speech given by Communications Minister Stephen Conroy yesterday, including a rebuttal of the Labor Senator's claim that Australia's current copper network can't support high-speed broadband based on fibre to the node.
Aussie wife helps draw Ericsson CTO down under
Swedish networking leader Ericsson announced this week that Håkan Eriksson would take over as Head of Ericsson in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji from February 1st, 2012. Eriksson is currently the Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, Head of Group Function Technology and Portfolio Management and Head of Ericsson in Silicon Valley.
Conroy’s attacks lack “hard evidence,” claims Turnbull
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has issued a cold and lengthy rejoinder to a fiery speech by his opposite Stephen Conroy this afternoon, arguing the Labor Senator had failed to provide "hard evidence" regarding a number of claims about the Coalition's rival telecommunications policy.
Deep thoughts from Senator Ludlam on Julian Assange
The personal blog of Greens Communications Spokesperson Scott Ludlam continues to be excellent value. Last week the Western Australian Senator took some time out to pen more than 1,300 thoughtful words on the potential future of maverick WikiLeaks activist Julian Assange, whose fate is very much in the hands of several global legal systems.
Technical “dead-end”: Conroy smashes Turnbull’s NBN policy
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has taken an axe to the national broadband policy outlined by his Coalition counterpart over the past few months, arguing Malcolm Turnbull's vision for Australia's future telecommunications needs would end up with the nation stuck in "a dead end".
Queensland’s flood-hit Grantham gets the NBN
Internode has switched on high-speed broadband at the first newly completed house in a subdivision of Grantham. The Queensland town is under reconstruction, with 150 residents moving to higher ground, after it was destroyed by floods in January this year. This makes the newly connected home the first to link to the National Broadband Network in South East Queensland.
McClelland, Carr exit technology-related portfolios
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has shifted Federal parliamentarians Kim Carr and Robert McLelland out of their respective industry and attorney-general ministerial portfolios, in shifts that will have a dramatic effect upon how the nation's technology sector will deal with the top levels of government over at least the next year.
Havyatt appointed Conroy special adviser
As first reported by Communications Day, Telecommunications sector veteran David Havyatt has been appointed temporary special advisor to Communications Minister Senator Stephen Conroy starting today.
ACCC kills NBN/Telstra wireless clause
The Australian newspaper reported yesterday that the national competition regulator has killed a clause in Telstra's $11 billion deal with NBN Co which would have prohibited Telstra from marketing wireless broadband as an alternative to the NBN's fibre.
ISPs won’t talk about Interpol filter support
Three of Australia's major ISPs -- TPG, Dodo and Primus -- have not responded to repeated requests to disclose whether they are planning to implement the limited Internet filtering scheme which is being promulgated by the Australian Federal Police in cooperation with international policing agency Interpol.
NBN Co largely cleared over greenfields competition
A Productivity Commission review of the National Broadband Network Company's behaviour in greenfields fibre rollout environments has largely exonerated the company of any uncompetitive behaviour, following complaints made by existing service providers in such areas.
Telstra files revised Structural Separation Undertaking
The nation's largest telco Telstra has filed with the competition regulator a revised version of the Structural Separation Undertaking document which will provide a concrete path for it and the rest of the telecommunications industry to migrate over the next decade to the new National Broadband Network-based environment.
Internode streams music festival Australia-wide
Internet service provider Internode has introduced a public high definition video stream of the first Gorgeous Festival, which features rock icon band Icehouse backed by supporting acts Josh Pyke and Emma Louise, showcasing the newest enhancements of its Content Delivery Network (CDN).
Demolished? No. Turnbull’s criticism has only tempered the NBN argument
In September 2010, Tony Abbott set one of the Coalition's most senior politicians loose on Labor's flagship National Broadband Network project, with instructions to wreck and "demolish" it. Fifteen months later, with Malcolm Turnbull's credibility in the portfolio in tatters and his arguments falling on deaf ears, it is clear that mission has failed, with his criticism having only clarified and strengthened the NBN policy.
Everything about the NBN is bad, says Turnbull
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has delivered a blistering end of year attack on the Federal Government's flagship National Broadband Network project, detailing an extraordinary range of areas in which he believes the project is failing.
NodePony versus T-Pony: Fight!
What emerged this week was that NodePony apparently has a rival. Yes. Let us tremble with fear and loathing at the birth of what can only be a dark side rival ... the T-Pony.
Vodafone implementing Interpol filter
National mobile carrier Vodafone yesterday confirmed it was currently looking at technology solutions which would enable it in 2012 to implement the limited Internet filtering scheme promulgated in Australia by the Australian Federal Police in cooperation with international policing agency Interpol.
Interpol filter: IIA clueless on ISP sign-ups
The nation's peak ISP representative body today acknowledged it did not know which Australian ISPs had signed up to implement the limited Internet filtering initiative which it developed six months ago, with the scheme passing out of its remit and into the hands of the Australian Federal Police.
iiNet decries “ugly” South Brisbane situation
National broadband provider iiNet has rejected the competition regulator's statement that it is satisfied with Telstra's contentious fibre network replacement project in the South Brisbane Exchange area, pointing out that the bigger telco was still imposing a number of "ugly" conditions on its wholesale customers.
CCC demands better ACCC oversight of NBN
Industry group the Competitive Carriers’ Coalition (CCC) last week reiterated the need for all-inclusive Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) supervision of the National Broadband Network Company, which it said was currently absent from the company's newly released NBN Co Wholesale Broadband Agreement (WBA).
More ISPs sign up to AFP’s Interpol filter
The Australian Federal Police has revealed that two more ISPs have signed up to implement the limited Internet filtering scheme that has been developed by the AFP and industry group the Internet Industry Association, although their identities at this stage are unclear.
Aussie telcos not using Carrier IQ
Worried about that nasty Carrier IQ keylogging/tracking software which is causing such a ruckus in the US? You probably shouldn't be.
Multi-dwelling units a major issue for the NBN
The experiencein Hong Kong and Singapore suggests that NBN Co. in Australia will ultimately be able to gain access to most – but maybe not all – multi-dwelling units with recalcitrant owners to complete its network rollout, but doing so will require the patience of Job and might take a lot longer than anyone thought.
NBN Co releases final telco contract
The National Broadband Network Company (NBN Co) has published the final executable version of its contract with retail telcos. The 12-month contract was drawn up after five iterations and extensive consultations with the industry.
Pirate Party opposes anti-piracy warning scheme
The Pirate Party Australia has objected strongly to the recent proposal issued by major Australian ISPs entitled “A Scheme to Address Online Copyright Infringement”.
TPG buys another stack of iiNet shares
Serial acquirer TPG has significantly upped its stake in fellow national broadband provider iiNet, with the company now owning a total of 7.24 percent of Michael Malone's baby.
IIA requests “streamlined” piracy controls from Govt
The main organisation representing Australian Internet service providers has strongly backed a Federal Government proposal which would make it easier for anti-piracy organisations to request details of alleged Internet pirates from ISPs; in a move which dovetails with a proposal outlined last week by ISPs to handle piracy online.
Self-interest is ruling Australia’s piracy debate
Over the past few months, I have alternately been appalled, disgusted, saddened and ultimately bored at the degree to which naked self-interest is ruling the ongoing debate about how Australia will deal with the issue of online copyright infringement (Internet piracy).
Bugger off, content industry tells ISPs on piracy plan
Well, that was short-lived. The anti-piracy plan mooted by many of Australia's ISPs last week has already been reportedly knocked back by several major organisations representing the content industries.
EFA has mixed feelings on anti-piracy scheme
Digital rights group Electronic Frontiers Australia has indicated there are both positive and negative aspects to a plan unveiled last week by the ISP industry to deal with Internet piracy.
NBN Co opens Melb ops, demo facilities
The National Broadband Network Company (NBN Co) has opened its $32.5m central operational hub in Melbourne’s Docklands. The facility houses the resources that will manage the Australian broadband service’s daily operations.
AFACT locked on iiTrial; won’t discuss piracy plan
The principal organisation representing content owners such as film and TV studios in Australia has declined to express an opinion on a plan unveiled last week by the ISP industry to deal with Internet piracy, stating that it was focused on its piracy lawsuit against ISP iiNet due to kick off next week.
Anti-piracy scheme throws users to the legal wolves
The anti-piracy scheme proposed by the ISP industry this afternoon as a response to online copyright infringement through platforms like BitTorrent opens the door for content owners to start taking hundreds of thousands of Australians to court for minor offences such as downloading a handful of films or TV episodes.
ISPs propose new anti-piracy warning scheme
A coalition of most of the nation's major ISPs has proposed a scheme for handling Internet piracy which would see Australians issued with warning and educational notices after content holders provided evidence that they had breached their copyright online -- and the door opened for ISPs to hand over user details to the content industry if they keep on pirating content online.
Simon Hackett should “cash out”, sell Internode, says iiNet CEO Malone
Fascinating interview on Business Spectator today with iiNet chief executive Michael Malone, who argues that Internode founder Simon Hackett should sell the ISP -- and preferably to iiNet.
Telstra has resolved South Brisbane issue, says ACCC
The national competition regulator has declared it is satisfied with a new deal which the nation's largest telco Telstra has offered rivals with respect to its controversial fibre replacement program in the South Brisbane exchange area, in a move immediately welcomed by the big T.
Australia Post wants to be a major telco …
Industry newsletter Communications Day this morning revealed that Australia Post was planning a major push into telecommunications services, with Optus regulatory chief Maha Krishnapillai (who recently quit the company) joining to spearhead the effort.
Telstra 100Mbps HFC cable goes national
Australia's largest telco Telstra late yesterday confirmed it would roll out 100Mbps speeds on its HFC cable nationally, following a pilot of the enabling DOCSIS 3.0 technology in Melbourne from 2009 and a similar rollout by arch-rival Optus.
Aussie Internet freedom at risk, says Sex Party
The Australian Sex Party has accused the Federal Government of following the lead of the United States in restricting civil liberties in Internet usage, with proposed American legislation such as the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in play in the US and controversial talks between the content and ISP industries similarly under way locally.
Govt delays multiple tech FOI requests
Three major Federal Government departments and agencies have delayed the release of sensitive information relating to controversial technology sector issues under Freedom of Information legislation, citing the need to closely examine the documents and consult with third parties before the information is released.
Movie Rights Group website shut down, VP leaves
The website for controversial anti-piracy organisation Movie Rights Group has inexplicably vanished from the Internet and its vice president of sales and marketing has quit, leading to speculation that the organisation has been shut down for good.
Optus slams ‘anti-competitive’ Telstra South Brisbane strategy
Optus has joined the chorus of industry voices slamming Telstra's approach to replacing its copper network with fibre in the South Brisbane exchange area, with the telco's chief executive Paul O'Sullivan last week stating Telstra was attempting to "block competition" in the area.
New chief operating officer for NBN Co
Senior telecommunications executive Ralph Steffens has been appointed as NBN Co’s first chief operating officer, according to an announcement yesterday. He will start at the end of November and be based in Sydney, reporting to Chief Executive Officer Mike Quigley.
TPG buyout to require public inquiry, says iiNet
The chief executive of iiNet today said a public inquiry would need to be held if rival broadband company TPG decided to extend its stake in his company to the point where an acquisition was on the cards -- and the issue could become a policy question to be decided by the Federal Government.
iiNet confirms TransACT acquisition
iiNet this morning confirmed it had bought Canberra-based telco TransACT, in a deal which will cost the Perth-headquartered national broadband provider some $60 million and bring it a great deal of infrastructure in Canberra and Victoria, as well as 40,000 new customers.
NBN Co already acting like a monopoly, says Optus
Optus chief executive Paul O'Sullivan has accused NBN Co of attempts to cement its monopoly over the telco sector that "would make a Telstra executive blush", in a fiery speech in Sydney this afternoon in which he also opened fire on traditional Optus target Telstra and even the Federal Opposition.
Govt to upgrade filter to new SOPA version
The Federal Government today confirmed plans to upgrade its controversial mandatory Internet filtering scheme with the new Stop Online Piracy Act module released in the United States this week, with Communications Minister Stephen Conroy confirming the new functionality would be ready ahead of the next Federal Election.
ISP market needs more mergers, says Budde
One interesting view on iiNet's likely acquisition of TransACT has come today from maverick (we normally describe him as 'rogue) analyst Paul Budde, who says that not only does the sale make sense, but more such buyouts should take place.
The iiBorg are assimilating all NBN competition
You can easily imagine what coffee meetings with Michael Malone must be like these days. "Resistance is futile," the leader of the growing iiBorg empire would sternly tell anyone brave enough to enter his company's headquarters. "You will be assimilated. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own."
iiNet halts trading after Transact report
National broadband provider iiNet has halted trading of its shares on the Australian Stock Exchange today, following a report in the Financial Review newspaper that it was in the final stages of negotiations to acquire Canberra and rural NSW/Victoria-based telco TransACT.
No comment: Greens, Coalition on Internet piracy
Senior figures from the Opposition and the Greens have declined to respond to repeated requests for comment over a period of several weeks on recent Federal Government moves to firm up its policy on Internet content piracy, as the future of Australia's response to the issue continues to be in doubt.
Aussie focus as NBN Co awards $635m in deals
The National Broadband Network Company (NBN Co) yesterday announced that it had awarded contracts worth up to $635 million over the next five years to six companies with a robust local presence.
Disappointing: Turnbull hasn’t fleshed out his NBN plan
In one of the greatest disappointments of Australia's telecommunications debate this year, Malcolm Turnbull has done virtually nothing to flesh out the details or address criticisms of his rival draft National Broadband Network policy since it was unveiled in August.
Citigroup: Coalition NBN plan “difficult to achieve”
A detailed analysis of the Coalition's rival National Broadband Network policy has found the "quick and dirty" plan would be difficult to achieve, faces significant hurdles and would wind the telecommunications reform process in Australia back by three years, although it would cost less than Labor's vision.
Exetel may offer $54.95 ‘unlimited’ ADSL2+ plan
Cut-rate broadband player Exetel is also considering offering the 'unlimited' plans which have become common for most of its competitors, for low prices starting from $54.95 a month -- slightly cheaper than both TPG and Dodo. As a first step, the customer last week introduced a range of new plans with a higher 500GB quota.
NBN Co inks remaining construction deals
The National Broadband Network company has signed a contract with one of its existing construction partners to roll out its fibre infrastructure in South Australia and the Northern Territory, which were not covered by its existing construction contractors.
Conroy and Husic fight over NBN rollout
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and fellow Labor parliamentarian Ed Husic appear to have gotten into what the Daily Telegraph is describing as "an expletive-laden" "behind the scenes slanging match" in the Labor party room over NBN Co's rollout schedule.
Network, service upgrades kicking in, says Vodafone
Mobile carrier Vodafone yesterday gave an update yesterday on the upgrade of its mobile network and customer service initiatives, claiming that the achievement of key milestone targets was enabling an enhanced customer experience.
Optus proves: Coalition wrong on NBN pricing
The release of Optus' National Broadband Network plans yesterday represents the final nail in the coffin for the Coalition's patently untrue claim that the rollout of the NBN will cause broadband prices around Australia to rise above current ADSL levels.
Optus’ NBN plans: The most intelligent so far
Well, colour me extremely surprised. Optus' National Broadband Network plans released today are among the best so far, and represent a level of innovative thinking about the next-generation infrastructure that has so far been missing from all previous NBN commercial pricing options.
Optus releases NBN pricing
The nation's number two telco Optus has released its first National Broadband Network pricing plans, with the company offering a range of plans from $39.99 up to $129 and with included data quotas ranging up to a terabyte.
TPG creates $69.99 ‘Unlimited’ ADSL plan
National broadband provider TPG has launched a new, $69.99 'Unlimited' ADSL2+ plan in response to a Federal Court ruling last week its previous $29.99 'Unlimited' plan was misleading as it didn’t obviously disclose the additional $30 of required line rental costs.
Shocker? Conroy’s not a reader, but Lundy is
This morning we had a fair old go at the Herald Sun for attacking Greens Senator Scott Ludlam for his extensive government-funded reading habits. But what about the other side of the coin? What do other parlimentarians active in ICT-related portfolios claim as reading expenses?
Court finds $29.99 unlimited TPG deal misleading
The Federal Court has reportedly ruled that TPG's prominent nationwide advertising campaign for $29.95 "unlimited" broadband plans was misleading because it didn't properly disclose additional line rental costs and setup fees.
Fightback: Optus lusts after fixed-line broadband
The nation's number two telco Optus has signalled it is tired of losing ground in the fixed-line broadband market to fast-growing rivals like iiNet, TPG and Internode, and will take advantage of the regulatory certainty offered by the rollout of the National Broadband Market to dive back into the sector head-on.
Shocker: Scott Ludlam is a reader
The Murdoch-owned Herald Sun newspaper has uncovered a shocking fact about Greens Communications spokesperson Scott Ludlam: He's a reader.
Optus regulatory chief quits
The nation's number two telco Optus has suffered a blow in the middle of ongoing talks with the competition regulator about the future of access to Telstra's infrastructure over the next decade, with its director of government and corporate affairs Maha Krishnapillai announcing his departure.
iiNet blames wholesaler for high estate fibre prices
A spat between fibre-optic wholesaler Opticomm and retail ISPs iiNet and Internode has broken out online after the company was forced to defend claims that the prices it charges for access to its infrastructure in new estates are significantly higher than that ISPs pay for access to fibre under the National Broadband Network.
Conroy’s time as Comms Minister is coming to an end
There are very good reasons to suspect that Stephen Conroy's reign of fire and blood as Australia's Communications Minister is rapidly coming to an end; with the nation to receive new talent in this crucial portfolio at the next Federal Election -- or even substantially before it.
#firstworldproblems
Life is tough when you're a gazillionaire Australian ISP mega-mogul ;)
Cranky Telstra wants its champagne glass back
Telstra's response so far to concerns about its Structural Separation Undertaking has been conciliatory by its own standards; but has not yet come anywhere near to substantially addressing issues with the document expressed by its rivals and the competition regulator over the past several months.
War of NBN words: Turnbull clashes with Pesce again
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has again engaged in a highly public clash of wills with technology innovator and futurist Mark Pesce, over whether Labor's flagship National Broadband Network policy is the right way forward for Australia's telecommunications industry.
Telstra addresses SSU complaints
Telstra today released a lengthy document to the Australian Stock Exchange (available here in PDF form) detailing possible responses to complaints by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and other telcos to its Structure Separation Undertaking (SSU).
Further Liberal hypocrisy on the NBN
It seems Liberal MPs all around Australia just can't stop demanding that the National Broadband Network be rolled out in their area.
Subliminal advertising gets iiNet ad banned
The industry self-regulatory body governing television commercials has withdrawn approval for an iiNet advertisement to be shown on television, following revelations the ad contained subliminal advertising communicating a hidden message to viewers.
Exetel may balk Movie Rights Group’s demands
National broadband provider Exetel has signalled it may modify its core business systems to make it more difficult for anti-piracy organisations such as Movie Rights Group to target its customers for allegedly illegally downloading content.
iiNet starts selling mobile phones
National broadband provider iiNet has launched itself into the cut-throat post-paid mobile phone market, announcing plans today to offer Samsung's Galaxy S II and original Galaxy S smartphones to small business customers on its mobile plan, as well as a little-known handset made by Alcatel-Lucent.
Telstra slashes 200GB HFC cable plan by $20
The nation's largest telco Telstra has temporarily cut $60 a month from one of its most popular HFC cable broadband offers, in a move which brings the monthly cost of its 200GB broadband bundle down from $139 per month to just $78.
ISPs don’t have to collect voluntary filter data
The Australian Federal Police has confirmed there is no obligation by Internet service providers participating in its voluntary Internet filtering trial to collect data about how many requests to visit the sites they block under the trial -- or to disclose that data if it is actually collected.
Piracy policy: The questions the Govt won’t answer
Australia's chief lawmaker has declined or avoided directly answering a number of central questions regarding the Federal Government's policy on online copyright infringement, as the future of the nation's broad response to the issue of piracy through platforms such as BitTorrent continues to swirl with uncertainty and rumour.
Telstra releases ‘Top Hat’ project details
We've received the following statement from Telstra regarding its 'Top-Hat' project.
Fibre to the node: Turnbull to meet with Quigley
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has accepted an invitation issued by NBN Co chief executive Mike Quigley to a half-day briefing on the merits of fibre to the home versus fibre to the node technology.
Coalition NBN policy shifts to fibre to the node
The Coalition appears to have evolved its alternative National Broadband Network policy over the past few weeks to focus squarely on the so-called fibre to the node network rollout style which was rejected by the Federal Government's expert NBN committee in early 2009.
Which Australian ISPs throttle BitTorrent the most?
New research published this week purports to reveal which Australian ISPs are throttling their customers' BitTorrent downloads the most -- as well as how they compare with their international counterparts. And perhaps surprisingly, the nation's largest telco Telstra has emerged as the nation's best performer.
Blatant hypocrisy: Victoria demands NBN “fair share”
Long-time NBN watchers will remember that the Coalition State Government in Victoria has had a schizophrenic history with Federal Labor's National Broadband Network project.
Labor MP Husic slams NBN schedule …?
Federal Labor MP Ed Husic has taken the unusual step of harshly criticising his own party's National Broadband Network project for neglecting several suburbs in his electorate which he said suffered from "a chronic lack of access to broadband".
ACMA strike to hit NBN, spectrum work
Technical staff at the national communications regulator have voted to go on strike from Thursday this week, with the industrial action to specifically target work relating to the Federal Government's flagship National Broadband Network policy and wireless spectrum activities.
Evidence that NBN Co is evil
The below is taken from a freeze frame of one of NBN Co’s latest promo videos.
Telstra’s filter has blocked 84,000 requests
The nation's largest telco Telstra has blocked more than 84,000 Internet requests to access sites allegedly containing child pornography since the start of July this year, when it quietly started filtering its customer's traffic for a blacklist of sites compiled by international policing agency Interpol.
If TPG buys iiNet, NBN competition is sunk
A war cry for competition must now be loudly raised. TPG cannot be allowed to buy iiNet. A future without one of the most innovative, vocal, competitive companies in Australia's telecommunications sector would be an incredibly dim future indeed.
Telstra shareholders approve NBN deal
As expected, Telstra's landmark National Broadband Network deal with the Federal Government and NBN Co is set to go ahead, with the nation's former monopolist telco confirming this morning that proxy and direct voting positions at its Annual General Meeting in Sydney today meant shareholders had given their approval.
NBN Co reveals 2012 rollout schedule
The National Broadband Network Company has revealed the locations where it will roll out its national fibre and wireless network over the next 12 months, with cities, towns and suburbs all over Australia to receive the infrastructure in an accelerated process throughout 2012.
TPG takes 4.4 percent stake in iiNet
National broadband provider iiNet today revealed rival TPG had quietly bought about 4.4 percent of its shares, in a move which will likely lead to speculation about the future of iiNet as an independent company.
MIPI wants Aussie ‘three strikes’ BitTorrent law
Up until now, it hasn't been precisely clear what solutions to Internet piracy the ISP and content industries have been talking about behind closed doors. However, now we at least know what the music industry wants: A 'three strikes' law similar to the ones already implemented in New Zealand and France.
iiNet supports Govt’s ‘streamlined’ piracy process
National broadband provider iiNet has indicated it is "supportive" of a Federal Government proposal which would "streamline" the process whereby anti-piracy organisations such as Movie Rights Group and AFACT could request information about ISPs' customers who had allegedly downloaded copyrighted material online.
Govt redacts ISP anti-piracy consultation text
The Federal Government has quietly deleted a controversial section of text published in a consultation paper last Friday that proposed a "streamlined" legal process to aid anti-piracy organisations such as Movie Rights Group and AFACT to target individuals allegedly downloading copyrighted material online.
Govt piracy move “completely unjustified”: Pirate Party
The Australian division of digital rights political party the Pirate Party has condemned as "completely injustified" a proposal by the Federal Government to streamline the legal process whereby copyright holders can request details of alleged Internet pirates from Australian Internet service providers.
Govt proposes “streamlined” piracy controls
The Federal Government has proposed to modify federal regulations to make it easier for anti-piracy organisations to request details of alleged Internet pirates from ISPs, in a modified process which would make it easier for organisations such as Movie Rights Group and AFACT to pursue individuals allegedly illegally downloading content online.
“Crazy” Telstra prices limit Internode S. Brisbane plans
National broadband provider Internode has confirmed some details of its pricing plans for the South Brisbane exchange area where Telstra is rolling out fibre, claiming higher prices in the region are based on the "crazy" underlying wholesale costs which it said Telstra was charging for other ISPs to access its new infrastructure.
NBN critics: Can’t you do better than this?
Attention, NBN critics: If you're going to engage in the popular Australian pastime of sledging the National Broadband Network, at least get your basic facts right before doing so. Otherwise, you'll end up with egg all over your face.
NBN Co must own Telstra’s copper, says Hackett
The outspoken managing director of national broadband provider Internode has called for ownership of Telstra's copper to be transferred to NBN Co as part of its deal with the telco, arguing future Federal Governments may want to use the infrastructure to build hybrid fibre to the node networks.
TPG reveals pricey South Brisbane plans
National broadband provider TPG has revealed the prices it will charge for access to fibre broadband infrastructure rolled out by Telstra in the South Brisbane exchange area.
Some useful US context on mass piracy lawsuits
One of the most striking things about the move by new company Movie Rights Group to start targeting thousands of Australians for allegedly illegally downloading copyrighted films is that it came out of the blue. Many people won't know what to make of the issue, given that Australia doesn't have a history of this kind of behaviour. But the United States does.
Economist report a “wild-eyed neoliberal rant”: Ludlam
Following on from Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s use of an apparently flawed Economist Intelligence Unit report to attack the National Broadband Network, Greens communications spokesperson Scott Ludlam has issued a statement on the matter.
Quoting the Economist belies Turnbull’s intelligence
But Steve Jobs, as we have heard repetitively over the past few weeks, didn't believe in doing market research before developing Apple products. He anticipated and created consumer demand -- he didn't discover it. If Turnbull truly wants to be known as an innovator and a visionary in Australian politics, he must stop clutching at every half-baked twig that passes his way as evidence that the NBN is flawed policy, and start swimming for himself.
Reality check: Faster NBN shaping won’t bankrupt ISPs
Over the weekend, I received a flood of outraged comments accusing me of not taking the costs of ISPs into account in my article exploring alternatives to the current speed shaping models being proposed by ISPs for the National Broadband Network.
Five alternatives to current NBN shaping models
As I’ve previously written, the concept of shaping users’ broadband speeds once they’ve exceeded their monthly quota, as currently proposed by ISPs, is an anachronism from the ADSL days which has been unsuitably ported into the fibre world of the National Broadband Network. So here’s five alternatives to current NBN shaping models.
iiNet backs Movie Rights Group’s legal process
One of Australia’s largest ISPs, iiNet, has indicated it supports the legal approach taken by a new company planning to target thousands of Australians with threatened legal action over BitTorrent downloads and would hand over customer information to the company if ordered to by a court.
Mass piracy lawsuits: ISPs go completely silent
Australia’s top five largest ISPs have refused to comment on news that a new company is planning to target thousands of their customers with threatened legal action pertaining to alleged online copyright infringements through file sharing platforms like BitTorrent over the past twelve months.
Telstra dumps Naked DSL proposal
The nation’s largest telco Telstra has confirmed it will not launch naked DSL as a commercial offering, despite conducting a 15 month trial of the product and rivals like iiNet boasting more than 130,000 naked DSL customers.
No minutes taken at secret BitTorrent meeting
The Federal Attorney-General’s Department has declined a Freedom of Information request for the minutes of a recent meeting behind closed doors between ISPs and the entertainment industry over illegal online file sharing, stating that no minutes of the event exist.
EFA, Pirate Party slam film industry lawsuit “extortion”
Digital rights groups Electronic Frontiers Australia and the Pirate Party have taken a dim view of a film industry plan to threaten thousands of Australians with file sharing lawsuits, respectively labelling the effort as risking disproportionate punishment to users and as “extortion” carried out by “copyright trolls”.
US-style mass piracy lawsuits come to Australia
Thought AFACT was the only game in town when it came to enforcing copyright in Australia? Think again. Another front has opened up in content holders’ war on file sharing, with a new and separate firm named ‘Movie Rights Group’ starting to threaten legal action against thousands of individual Australians who have allegedly pirated content in the past 12 months.
Owning the mid-range: Internode chops NBN prices
National broadband provider Internode has substantially modified its National Broadband Network pricing on the eve of the launch of commercial services on the fledgling fibre infrastructure, cutting the prices on some of its plans and delivering extra options to customers in other areas.
Quigley denies giving Labor free 1Gbps kick
NBN Co chief executive Mike Quigley this afternoon denied his revelation today of National Broadband Network speeds up to 1Gbps had anything to do with supporting Labor’s election chances, in the face of a Coalition policy that would see his fledgling broadband company shut down.