So the Twitter account @stephenconroy as written by Leslie Nassar, a Telstra employee, was today shut down. (…)
In a recent survey conducted by Aussie ISP 'Netspace', inital results showed that 78.9% of participants disagree with the Federal Government on making Content Filtering compulsory at an ISP level. If this is anything to go by at a national level, it appears that the Government has it blatantly wrong.
Around 10,000 customers took part in the survey, in which Netspace said was an 'overwhelming response'. Only a mere 13.6% supported a proposed content filtering mandate, with the remaining 7.1% undecided and 0.4% not responding. It really does send out a loud and clear message…. Australians do not want content filtering implemented at an ISP level!
Perhaps the average Aussie can see a bigger picture here than filtering child porn alone, and that it may refer to other fundamental principles such as the real motive for the introduction of filtering at an ISP level; Precedents that it will set; Effectiveness of an ISP filter to work appropriately; and the potential consequences that a decision like this may bring.
What are you concerns? Do they fit into any of the following categories:
A. Will an ISP filter stop illegal content completely? Industry experts are in agreeance and say 'No', as there are many different avenues to bypass or transmit content around an ISP filtering system.
B. What is the real motive behind an ISP content filter? Is it to check election box promises? Control more than just illegal Internet content?
C. Once implemented, where does the filtering stop? Could the bodies in power that be impeach an individual's freedom of speech by removing content at will, regardless of agenda?
D. How much content will be 'wrongfully' removed by accident or otherwise?
E. What kind of consequences are involved for the ISP and end user? Will it slow down the Internet dramatically and or cause other types of technical conflicts?
I, for one, believe that it comes down to 'choice' and more to the point, a parent's responsibility, and that it should extend into respective Institutions (to a certain degree). However, just who should the primary responsibility of nurturing and protecting our children fall upon?
Are we now too busy to do this ourselves to the point that we need 'Big Brother' to intervene? Surely not. Could 'FREE' protection software act as an adequate alternative opposed to pre-emptive control, which in essence, may take away an individuals right to act 'freely'.
Internet content filtering should be available, but to what extent and controlled by whom? If you have something to say on this topic, by all means feel 'FREE" to post a reply.
Colin Jacobs, Vice Chair of Electronic Frontiers Australia, has published a very interesting article on the controversial topic of Internet Censorship that includes findings from a study by Brooklyn Law School (Filtering in Oz: Australia's Foray Into Internet Censorship) which he has deemed a 'serious embarrassment'.
Outside Eastern countries, if the Internet Censorship plan was to be passed through the legislative process successfully, then Australia would become the first Western democracy to have such communist like controlling laws.
Mr Jacobs has begged to differ with the Government's censorship experiment by questioning it's legitimacy. In a Crikey.com.au blog titled 'The world smirks at Conroy's censorship plan' the study has shown, through a process based methodology, that there are serious doubts over the legitimacy of such an experiment.
The study's author applies a process-based methodology to determining censorship’s legitimacy by asking four questions. Is the country open about its censorship plans and the reason behind them? Is it transparent about what is to be restricted? How narrow is the filtering? And finally, are the processes and decision makers behind the scheme accountable? While the Government earns praise for openness (Internet filtering was a central campaign promise), serious issues are highlighted in the other three areas.
The blog is certainly an interested read, so if you aren't up to speed on the whole Internet Censorship uproar, I recommend you check it out.
Furthermore, the 'Filtering in Oz: Australia's Foray Into Internet Censorship' study can be downloaded here.
When it was revealed that Telstra held back the activation of hundreds of ADSL2 DSLAM Exchanges across Australia in 2008, many people where left bewildered. One one hand it was very disappointing to learn that Telstra was basically holding back the access of High Speed Broadband to thousands of Australians and therefore holding back potential economic growth. Then again, Telstra, as per usual, makes business decisions based on the best intentions of their shareholders. Sour grapes or smart business?
Now that the incumbent has been dumped from the National Broadband Network process, it's forced the Telco to rethink their strategy and it's through this that another Telstra Broadband revelation has emerged. Sol Trujillo, Telstra's CEO, told a Citigroup EMT conference recently that Telstra is now capable of rolling out DOCSIS 3.0 technology that could deliver their Cable Broadband customers a staggering 100 Mbps broadband speed. WoW! Not only could they deliver 100Mbps high speed broadband connectivity, but using this technology Telstra could match the Broadband speed of the upcoming NBN. On top of this they could also roll out this 100Mbps network upgrade faster than any competitor could instill their own.
This technology basically means that Telstra could compete with, if not exceed, the speeds in which the new NBN technology is likely to bring. Of course Telstra's DOCSIS 3.0 technology integration would be limited to major metropolitan areas where Telstra's existing HFC network already exists, however this is still a very large chunk of Australia's population. So when can we expect this to happen? Once again, it sounds like Telstra are going to hold back until they are forced to do so by competitive pressure.
- Sol Trujillo
"Well the [DOCSIS 3.0] technology is now real, the technology is being deployed and we have that also as an option if somebody chooses to compete and to compete with us, the only difference is we'll be there a lot quicker a lot faster a lot bigger, a lot more integrated and with more capabilities than anybody else."
Telstra's public policy and communications representative 'David Quilty' has stated that the telco is not considering legal action against the Federal Government after being booted from the NBN tender process.
Speculation has emerged stating that Telstra would seek compensation claims in excess of $80 billion from the Government if another proponent was to win the rights to build a national broadband network which accessed Telstra's existing copper network.
Senator Conroy has withdrawn from making any hypothetical remark on the possibility of compensation claims by Telstra, although he did point out that Telstra had already brought the access issue before the courts (unsuccessfully).
"In fact, Telstra decided to take this matter all the way to the High Court,"
"Even (chief justice) Michael Kirby joined the other six members to say that when Telstra purchased the network, they purchased it with an access regime in place. Get used to it,"
Telstra is certainly showing signs of backing down, however Mr Quilty once again stood behind his company's ongoing broken record excuse that 'puts their shareholders first' by saying that Telstra were unable to submit an extensive NBN proposal through fear of vertical separation which is something that Telstra cannot contemplate.
Quilty also played down any possibility that the board, including chief executive 'Sol Trujillo', faced uncertain futures following their ballsup with the whole NBN process that witnessed billions wiped from Telstra share prices which infuriated Telstra shareholders.
Australia's 3rd largest telecommunication provider iiNet has successfully trialled VDSL2 broadband technology with broadband download speeds reaching 85Mbps and uploads hitting the the 47 megabits per second mark.
In readiness for VDSL2 ratification in Australia, iiNet has been testing VDSL2 technology in Perth whilst in preparation to roll out VDSL2 equipment in mini exchanges across the country. Very High Speed Digital Subscriber Line 2 has been extensively trialled by many of Australia's leading telecommunication providers over the course of the past 12 – 18 months. The likes of Telstra BigPond and EFTel are just two of the Internet Service Providers to have researched and trialled the high speed Internet technology.
VDSL2 has been touted to have the capacity to deliver broadband access up to 250 Mbit/s (at source), although speeds significantly decline after several hundred meters to 100 Mbit/s at 0.5 km, followed by 50 Mbit/s at 1 km after which it degrades much slower until it equals speeds of ADSL2+ at 1.6 kms. Still, most Telephone Exchanges housing VDSL2 should support broadband speeds of at least 12 Mbit/s (NBN defined minimum) that will deliver triple play services (Broadband, Phone, Digital TV) to the majority of households within a 4 – 5 km radius.
Check out iiNet's current Naked DSL Plans right here. http://broadbandguide.com.au/iinet/naked-dsl/plans
Telstra will not build the $4.7 billion National Broadband Network! The Government's expert panel has made extraordinary headlines by making a decision to reject their non-compliant bid based on a technicality. Telstra was dumped from the process on grounds that it did not meet a section of requirements surrounding a 'small to medium enterprise plan' which was a mandatory part of the NBN criteria.
In the biggest Broadband news to hit the industry this year, Telstra boss ' Sol Trujillo' may have called his last bluff by submitting a pitiful 12 page NBN proposal to the Australian government. Trujillo was believed to be somewhat bewildered by the decision as he had not yet had any correspondence with Minister Conroy, thus receiving the news secondhand.
"We are a bit surprised at taking this action on a triviality, which we are very clear in our minds, we were fully compliant in the language of the RFP in terms of how we handled this matter. I don't want to speculate beyond that, because we've not had any conversation with the Minister or the appropriate people involved yet," – Sol Trujillo
Many Australians have been made buoyant by the sobering decision to dump Telstra from the NBN process as they believed the incumbent was too powerful in holding out competition; slowed down innovation and market growth; and charged extremely high prices for telecommunication services.
On the surface, this latest decision by the government is statement of strength and unity which suggests they will not be taken lightly with the national broadband network process, and furthermore, will endeavour to create an 'open access' network with 'fair' regulatory conditions for Australian consumers along with an equal playing field for Industry competition.
At the same time this decision will also force Telstra to re-evaluate their strategy on the NBN. This may included succumbing to the NBN process guidelines and submitting an eligible comprehensive proposal, if the door is still open that is? Or possibly considering business (on their own) beyond the NBN.
If this latest slap in the face doesn't awake the arrogant giant, it's quite likely that Telstra's shareholders will, or the perhaps the possibility of declining stock value? You're move Telstra, the ball is well and truly in your court now.
Canadian NBN hopeful 'Axia NetMedia' has finally shed some light on their proposal and ability to construct a national broadband network in Australia after months of keeping a low media profile.
In essence, an Axia NBN built broadband network could fundamentally be up to 5 times faster and cost half the price compared to that of current high speed fixed broadband. A $15 broadband access price absolutely blows Telstra's $85 per month out of the water. It actually makes you wonder how these figures can be so contrary of one another.
Unlike any of the other NBN tender potentials (except Telstra within Australia), Axia NetMedia has extensive experience in rolling out national broadband networks in several countries. Their port folio includes metropolitan and regional projects across France, Canada and now Singapore regions.
Axia NetMedia chief executive and chairman 'Art Price' recently stated that who can you justify $20 -$30 for a local copper loop when a prospective 'Fibre to the premise' service in a major metropolitan area for $15 per month.
If Axia NetMedia are true to their word, then Telstra have a got a real fight on their hands and perhaps the winning applicant is not a foregone conclusion after all. After considering some of the view points being touted by Mr price, it certainly appears that the Government's eight person expert panel is going to have their work cut out with recommendations to the federal Government for a $15 billion new Australian national broadband network.
Read more at 'The Australian'
Get the very latest Mobile Broadband Plans, Special Offers and Hot Deals from Australia's leading Wireless Internet Providers right here at Broadband Guide. Compare Mobile Broadband prices from the likes of BigPond Next G Plans, Optus 'yes' Wireless Internet, Virgin Mobile Broadband, 3 Mobile, Vodafone, Dodo Mobile Wireless and more.
Broadband Guide endeavours to list all the very best Mobile Broadband Providers, Post Paid and Pre Paid Mobile Broadband Plans that use both wireless USB Modems and Mobile Cards. Mobile Broadband has never been cheaper so now is a perfect opportunity to compare Mobile Wireless Internet Plans. Furthermore, some Mobile Broadband ISP's give you the ability to combine Home Phone and Mobile Phone Plans into a Mobile Broadband Bundle so you can save even more on your monthly Telecommunication bills! Just make sure you do the maths and read the Terms & Conditions!
Mobile Broadband gives you the freedom of a wireless environment. Now you can get Wireless Internet Access beside the pool, down at the café, at work or home and on the road. Take advantage of this technology and the extensive coverage areas and fast Internet speeds that Mobile Broadband Providers are now offering and get connected today!
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http://broadbandguide.com.au/wireless/plans
Get even more value-for-money and save heaps on your monthly broadband, home phone and mobile phone bills by rolling the services all into one plan. Australia's 2nd largest Telco 'Optus' have released Optus 'yes' Fusion Plus plans starting at $99. These plans include combining a Cable or ADSL2+ broadband plan with speeds up to 20Mbps with a Home Phone service (which includes unlimited standard local and national calls, and a mobile phone cap along with either a Nokia 6300 or Samsung J750 mobile phone!
Optus DSL Direct or Cable 'yes' Fusion Plus $99 (includes the above features & 4GB Broadband usage along with & $50 mobile phone call value)
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All plans must be taken over a 24 month contract. Conditions apply*
Compare these plans with others right here at Broadband Guide. http://broadbandguide.com.au/optus/plans
Broadband Internet speeds of 25-50 megabits per second (Mbps) to 65-75% of households, and 12-20Mbps to the remaining 25-35% that cover 80-90 percent of the population. These are figures that can be achieved by Telstra for a national broadband network VDSL2 Fibre to the Curb 'upgrade' (FTTC, also known as Fibre to the Node). After following the progression of the NBN saga closely, it's an extremely possible scenario that could be well on the money and have a very fast turn-around time to boot.
VDSL2 research and testing has not only commenced, but has been well underway for quite sometime now by Australia's largest telecommunications provider 'Telstra'. The incumbent has been playing their cards very close to their chest and has been unwilling to reveal it's blueprint for Australia's new $4.7 billion dollar (or should I say $10 billion?) high speed broadband network. If they were to win, the odds are very short that their preferred choice of broadband delivery method would in fact be VDSL2. This type of telecommunication technology could easily support simultaneous triple play services such as high speed broadband, voip/telephony & digital TV (or IPTV) products at the minimum government required broadband speed of 12Mbps.
Although Telstra submitted a 'non compliant' NBN proposal, this is not to say that the telco cannot stitch up a 'backdoor' deal with the government that will take advantage of VDSL2 technology for a proposed NBN. You see, it's no secret that Telstra has been considering VDSL2 as it's primary architecture for a NBN. There are plenty of facts', quotes, and articles floating around the Internet to suggest that Telstra are in the box seat when it comes to A – Being the most logical and experienced bidder to take on and build a broadband network of this magnitude; and B – Use VDSL2 technology (Very high speed Digital Subscriber Line) which provides faster speeds over similar distances using copper lines than that of ADSL2+. VDSL2 is essentially an upgrade that will supercede ADSL2+ DSLAMS in telephone exchanges across Australia. Whether DSLAMs will remain for other ISPs to use (if this were to be the case) is another story.
For example, an article appearing on New Zealand based Stuff.co.nz just recently, and of course Telstra's non compliant 12 page NBN proposal, is reporting that a Telstra constructed national broadband network would use VDSL2 technology and be built by 4000 workers using Alcatel- Lucent materials and equipment. It makes perfect sense that the facilitation in regards to accessing and upgrading exchanges with the required new equipment to be governed by Telstra, after all who else knows an Australian exchange better than Telstra themselves? With this in mind, along with the threat of countless court room litigation cases if Telstra were not to win the NBN, a VDSL2 roll out would be performed much much more faster by Telstra than any other party.
Kevin Rudd, Stephen Conroy, their NBN panel and the Australian Government have an enormous and convoluted task with the whole NBN dilemma as it now stands. Not only do the need to 'tick off' pre-election promises, however they also need to consider the possible backlash from Telstra shareholders if Telstra were to lose out on the NBN; endless courtroom litigation waged against the government by Telstra (again, if it were to lose); regulatory guidelines such as operational or structural separation placed upon Telstra (if it were to win) and the consequences of such if adequate competition guidelines aren't included; implications from the likes of Optus, Terria and other constituents (if they were to lose), but most importantly and above all other implications – whats best for the Australian people and Australia's future!
One thing is certain though, no matter which way the decision goes…. it's time for Kev and Steve to stand up and get their hands dirty. Telstra for the win in my opinion.
The network would use VDSL2 technology to provide download speeds of 25-50 megabits per second (Mbps) to 65-75 percent of households it reached and speeds of 12-20Mbps to the remainder. Telstra could start building the network next year, but gave no completion date.
Telstra has left their NBN bid submission go until literally the eleventh hour before lodging a 'non compliant' proposal. In what seemed like an eternity, the NBN bidding deadline is now closed.
Industry analysts say that it comes as no surprise that Telstra lodged a bid, even after they continuously said they would not do so until they obtained reassurance from the government that the successful applicant would be separated (Structurally or Functionally). Funnily enough, it is believed that Telstra shares would of plummeted significantly, almost to the tune of $10 billion dollars, if Telstra didn't commit to the NBN tender process.
Telstra now joins the likes of Terria, Optus, Axia Netmedia, Acacia and TransACT along with the Tasmanian Government who have also lodged bids as proponents for the upcoming $4.7 billion dollar tax payer funded National Broadband Network project.
The successful applicant is expected to be announced by March 2009 and will have a 5 year window to roll out the entire broadband network. With the NBN bidding process already delayed by several months, and with who knows what type of obstacles (both legal and otherwise) around the corner, the NBN might take longer to implement than we think.
Australia's third biggest Broadband Internet Service Provider, iiNet, is certainly going through some arduous times at present, and despite facing a massive lawsuit from leading national and International Movie/TV production companies, they've just announced a soon to launch IPTV service.
iiNet's managing director 'Michael Malone' said the company was experiencing rapid growth with their Naked DSL services from disgruntled users who are fed up with paying exorbitant line rental fees. Now with more than 307 DSLAMs across Australia offering broadband speeds fast enough to support IPTV, it's no wonder that many subscribers are leaving their ISPs in droves for iiNet.
Once iiNet's Internet Protocol TV services are launched, users can expect content such as the latest TV Shows and Movies on Demand, live and interactive TV, news, weather and a host of other channels and features. This is not to mention the fact that iiNet IPTV will go head-to-head with Channel 7's Tivo as iiNet's IPTV service will come with a dual tuner free-to-air personal video recorder which is similar to 7's set top box.
See what all the commotion is about and check out iiNet's Naked DSL Plans right here at youcompare Broadband
TransACT and TPG-Soul join AAPT as the mass exodus of Telecommunication Providers who continue to leave the Terria Consortium in droves appear to leave any chance of a successful bid all but diminished.
The impression coming from the Terria camp appears to be quite dire as iiNet's managing director Michael Malone says he's convinced the NBN bidding process is corrupt by stating the government had failed to define the rules for such.
Although Terria chairman Michael Egan said the current spate of withdrawals will not affect their ability to fund the NBN if successful, however on the surface one could be easily forgiven for thinking the Terria consortium is washed up. In any case the NBN show will still roll on with the bidding deadline scheduled for late November.
"The one thing that everyone in the industry agrees on is that this is a bad investment and it's a completely corrupt process. The government is just pissing money up against the wall with this project because it failed to define the rules of the bidding process," Mr Malone said.
Source: AustralianIT
Results from a recent survey conducted by AiGroup and Deloitte show that almost 75% of Australian businesses would upgrade to faster broadband if it were available. The highest demand came from remote and provincial regions.
Many businesses are under the impression that they would benefit significantly from faster broadband and that it would also increase financial activity. It's believed that a new national high speed broadband network would assist Australian businesses substantially to compete on a global level.
Source: AustralianIT.com.au
The debate on the National broadband Network heats up….
Telstra has mounted what might be its strongest attack to date on any attempt by the government to deny it the right to build the national broadband network on its terms, claiming it will refuse any other builder access to the copper pairs connecting customers and that it will compete vigorously with a non-Telstra NBN using alternative infrastructure. Read more here….
Although the current global financial downturn has witnessed the fall of the Australian dollar, Communication Minister Stephen Conroy has rejected claims by Telstra chief financial officer that it would increase costs for the proposed development of the new national broadband network.
Mr Conroy argues that some of the estimates have actually come down to between 10 and $15 billion, and that it wasn't that long ago when there was speculation that suggested the NBN would cost around $25 billion.
With proponents having until the 26th November to enter bidding submissions, Mr Conroy remarked that there will be a lot more public commentary surrounding the $4.7 billion project that the government will not be buying into.
Many industry analysts are now suggesting that Telstra has tightened up as a favourite to win the broadband network tender rights due to the unsteadiness of the financial market along with the fact that the Terria consortium is now finding it difficult to secure funding. It's also been stated that it would not come as any surprise to see the government relax regulatory guidelines that could of potentially seen Telstra structurally separated.
The current eventuations certainly do make it appear that the government wants the NBN project put to bed and commenced ASAP! I guess it's only a matter of a few months until we see an outcome (finally!).
In what appears to be an impromptu counteraction to the recent Optus wireless price hikes and in a bid to lure their unhappy wireless broadband campers, Vodafone have reduced monthly costs on their 1GB & 5GB Mobile Broadband Plans by $10 per month respectively.
Without any prior indication, Vodafone Australia implemented the $10 price cuts to both plans only one day after Optus released their price hikes. In some instances it doubled the pricing for a prepaid wireless plan.
The new prices are $19.95 (previously $29.95) for 1GB of data using Vodafone's 3G network on a 'Light Use' plan, while for $39.95 (previously $49.95) you can expect to receive a massive 5GB of data and a free USB modem stick.
What's more, if you do happen to drop out of range on the Vodafone 3G network, you are automatically placed on their 2.5G network opposed to being charged additional fees for roaming on to another network such as Telstra.
Checkout and compare Vodafone's Mobile Broadband Internet Plans right here at Broadband Guide! http://broadbandguide.com.au/vodafone
The current global financial crisis which has left the economy of many countries in turmoil has also forced Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to re-evaluate the distribution of the $76billion for infrastructure projects.
Mr Rudd has indicated that tough and unpopular decisions would have to be taken as a result of the financial crisis. Additional assessment criteria will also cover facets for the new national broadband network project along with many other developments. These guidelines include: How projects expand Australia's productivity; build global competitive advantages; develop cities and regions; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and improve our quality of life. All proponents will be expected not to overstate benefits and underestimate costs for potential infrastructure grants whilst being able to back up all their claims.
It appears that the time of rhetoric and talk is now over and the time for action is upon us. At least we may see commencement on the NBN project sooner rather than later if this latest announcement is anything to go by.
Telstra wholesale have a range of ADSL reports, ADSL Exchange reports and Exchange plans available for Telstra Wholesale customers. Keep in mind that these documents and files are typically for prospective ADSL2 Providers and Broadband Internet Service Providers in general, so if you're not one of these businesses, you should contact you're prospective ISP for associated ADSL information.
Along with a list of enabled ADSL Exchanges, Telstra wholesale will soon be releasing a list of ADSL2+ enabled Exchanges too. Some of their reports, which are updated weekly, include ADSL Capacity; ADSL Relief Plans; Proposed ADSL Enabled Exchanges; DSLAM Unhubbing and Migration Plans; along with ADSL equipment, supporting documents and much more. There is even an information section on Unconditioned Local Loop Services as well.
The Telstra Wholesale documents cover the entire range of Australian Telephone Exchanges and reference State, Town/City area, Exchange description, Broadband range, new zone classifications, HIBIS and Broadband Connect initiatives and enablement dates.
If it's a Broadband Guide to ADSL2 Exchange information that you're after that we can't supply, your next best bet is to check out the ADSL Exchange information at Telstra Wholesale.
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