Networking > BroadbandEssentials

Telstra has announced it will pump $5.5 million into a Southern Queensland regional fibre network, 24 hours before the government decides the fate of the National Broadband Network (NBN), one of Australia's largest, most expensive infrastructure developments.

A survey of business leaders by Australian Industry Group (AiG) and Deloitte has further cemented the critical reliance of Australia’s economy on the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Broadband subscribers all over the world are getting more for their money. The cost for cable, fiber and DSL (digital subscriber line) subscriptions are all dropping, and at the same time speeds are increasing, according to market research company Point Topic.

Telstra has again dismissed calls for some form of structural or functional separation of the National Broadband Network builder, stating that a call for separation is a call for no NBN.

The tit-for-tat war of words between Telstra and Optus over the National Broadband Network process continued last week at the 2008 Australian Telecommunications Summit, as Optus’ head of government and regulatory affairs, Maha Krishnapillai, warned that Telstra’s submission for an open access NBN is akin to free and open elections in Zimbabwe.

The countdown for bidders to get in proposals for the National Broadband Network (NBN) will restart within days, following the retrieval of crucial network data by telecommunications carriers.

The federal government will pour $270.7 million into regional broadband incentives, [[artid:58489466|two weeks|new]] after it attempted to use the funds for its National Broadband Network (NBN).

Australia's National Broadband Network will suffer because the government's tender documents lack detail and an adequate policy framework, according to telecommunications providers.

Deployment of Australia's national fibre backbone could begin as early as October when the government is slated to announce the winner of the tender [[xref:http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;665948421|announced Friday]].

According to opponents and proponents of Broadband over Power Lines, the technology is unlikely to gain a foothold in the commercial access space but is finding a niche as a networking technology inside the home.

Vodafone Australia has improved the value of its mobile broadband offering by launching a 5GB data plan for $39 per month.