In case you’re not up-to-date with this issue, I can tell you that the Bill fundamentally represents a form of legislation that could be introduced in the United States shortly to combat the infringement of copyrighted material (piracy).
 

Why would this Bill be a bad thing if its to counteract illegal Internet proceedings?
 

The force behind the push of this Bill are a handful of powerful multimedia companies (namely movie studios and record companies) who say they losing commercial revenue because of the lack of adequate online piracy laws. However many believe if a law that these companies wanted to see legislated was introduced, it could have monolithic consequences.
 

Those against the Bill are concerned that legislation of this nature would unleash widespread and unaccountable censorship involving non US websites that would block websites at the domain level and that it would greatly interfere with the domain name system (DNS) – the core of the Internet. More importantly, the believe this law could contain measures that would impede online freedom of speech, websites, and internet communities. There is also the argument that suggests a lack of inadequate safeguards mechanisms would not be effectuvely put in place to protect websites and user generated content.
 

The Attorney General stated that in Australia it should be up to content owners and ISP’s to work together to develop a suitable outcome to address online piracy and that discussions between ISPs and copyright owners were facilitated by the government. This was after ISP iiNet recently won a court battle against a copyright conglomerate of film studios called Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT). At present, an appeal has been lodged by AFACT in the high court of Australia which has yet to be concluded.
 

Australian Greens Party communications spokesperson ‘Scott Ludlam’ recently asked the government to oppose the Bill as it could not only jeopardise the NBN project, however, along with the negatives as already described, Mr Ludlam also went on to suggest that there should be more representation be in place other than the ISPs and rights holders who both hold commercial interests only as there’s many other parties who will be greatly affected with a potential dumbed-down version of the law in 12 months time.
 

“Isn’t it interesting that the people that they’ve invited into that forum are the rights holders and carriers, and they appear to have left out the creative people who make the content and the audience …The people who actually matter in that debate aren’t in the room. They’ve invited the intermediaries and the people with commercial interests,”- Scott Ludlam
 

“We should be in that room, in the copyright debate; otherwise, we are going to get some kind of dumbed-down Australian-flavoured SOPA — 12 months after it resolves itself in the United States, it’ll pop up here; you can absolutely guarantee it.”- Scott Ludlam
 

“Do they recognise that there will be little purpose in investing tens of billions of dollars in the NBN if the US copyright industry cripples the medium itself?” – Scott Ludlam
 

Read more at zdnet.com.au – No SOPA for Australia: AG

Many residents who reside in Yendon, about 16kms out of Ballarat Victoria, complained to their local council about the introduction of fixed wireless towers due to potential radiation concerns. Some scientist believe that radiation levels emitted from these towers are too high so they should be kept well away from permanent residential areas.

Installation recommendations of wireless tower locations state they shouldn’t be erected within 500 meters of a school, however the proposed locations for Yendon are believed to be within 150 meters of the closest occupied house while a further two houses are located an additional 50 meters after that.

Although plans for the NBN’s fixed wireless service extend to only 4% of houses and businesses in some regional areas, it’s still represents a large proportion of the population and appears to be another hurdle for the NBN Co to climb over.

Read more at theage.com.au – Tower ban regions face slower broadband

This upgrade means the total network’s lit capacity will now reach 1.4 Terabits per second and by March this will increase to 1.6 Terabits and to 2 Terabits by December. The company also states that it has the capacity to further upgrade the network to at least 6 Terabits by December 2013. This essentially indicates that Southern Cross Cable is trying to align it’s network to meet the growing demand of the market and that of the government’s National Broadband Network project.

So what does this mean and how will it affect us? Well, more availability of International capacity means that SCC can expand their supply. Recent SCC upgrades have witnessed increase ISP competition that resulted in data cap increases and price reduction. So perhaps 2012 may once again see some Internet Service Providers discounting prices, increasing data caps or simply providing better value for money propositions.

“With lower marginal capacity cost we have reduced our prices to the US from both New Zealand and Australia by 44%”

“it’s particularly pleasing to see how ISP competition has resulted in big increases to retail data caps over the last year for both Australian and New Zealand internet users, and to see the retail cost of data continuing to fall. Our new initiatives are again designed to support this process as another step towards the new NBN and UFB environments”

- Ross Pfeffer, Southern Cross Sales and Marketing Director.

Source: Southern Cross Capacity Up and Price Down – Again

It’s believed that Telstra will pledge not to mislead or deceive consumers in anyway that their wireless broadband services will be an effective substitute for the National Broadband Network and attempt to migrate their customers across to their own Telstra Next G wireless Network.

“We were very concerned about that because we believe there should be no prohibition on Wireless competition to the NBN.”
- ACCC chairman Rod Sims

Read more at theaustralian.com.au: NBN loses Telstra wireless battle

What does this mean for consumer? Well it should in turn benefit the consumer also and ease any concern in regards to any inflationary or sharp rises in costs for broadband, phone and IPTV services in the same period. However, just because the NBN has frozen prices for five years it doesn’t mean that retail service providers (E.G. Telstra, Optus, iiNet etc..,) will freeze their prices over the same duration.

Remember this article in coming years and think twice when you hear of any NBN service provider making an announcement that talks about about jacking up prices.

This means the entry level wholesale price would not rise until at least July 2017, and then increase by no more than 1 to 2 per cent per year after that, depending on inflation.

However NBN Co cannot guarantee retail service providers would not increase retail prices independently of wholesale prices.

Read more at smh.com.au – NBN reveals 5-year fixed price plan

The government has really failed to capitalise on winning over the public and fully explaining both the immediate and future benefits, and prosperity, that the upcoming National Broadband Network will bring to Australians. And now that it’s coming, I wouldn’t be holding my breath too long for the government to educate you on the NBN.

So it’s up to you to find out what you can, because after all, you’re going to be affected by this new broadband network one way or another. Below is a link to four new videos that will assist you in understanding what the NBN is all about and how to connect to it if required.

NBN Explained Videos

• 1. Explaining the NBN – Reasons and benefits (2:25)
• 2. Getting connected to the NBN (1:20)
• 3. Explaining how to connect your phone to the NBN (1.23)
• 4. NBN process explained for property developers (1.56)

Mr O’Sullivan indicated that there should be full transparency on what Telstra spends the money on in order to contribute to a level playing field and so that the incumbent cannot further monopolise the Telco industry.

“We’d like a level playing field so we can play a competitive game.”

“We think there should be full transparency. Where the money is spent should be accounted for,”- Optus CEO Paul O’Sullivan

Read more at the heraldsun.com.au – Optus wants conditions put on Telstra’s $11b NBN windfall

Targeting major metropolitan and some regional areas, Telstra CEO David Thodey has suggested that the upgrade is required to meet the rapid growth in mobile data demand which is essentially doubling every year.

The federal opposition has pounced on the announcement and stated that the upcoming Telstra upgrade will provide strong competition against, and stifle the viability of the fibre to the home national broadband network.

Read more at SMH

Now I’m not saying that the Government shouldn’t intervene and help Queenslanders get back on their feet, off course not. Moreover, it’s becoming apparent that Mr Abbott uses any excuse to attack the NBN time after time. I understand that it’s his job to do so however it’s almost like he’s very scared that the NBN may succeed one day which will boost Australia and its economy in many different ways. If this turns out to be the case that would certainly make him look like a fool thyat tried to hold Australia’s prosperity back!

Back to the floods… Of course the Government should help out and will help out, however I’m sure they will consider many alternatives other than shifting funds away from the NBN. And in actual fact, it appears that Ms Gillard is doing that right now by establishing a business round table which would witness 10 Australian leading businesses assemble together and use their expertise and corporate support to provide flood relief.

It’s often said that business people are a lot smarter than politicians. I guess in this case it won’t be too long until that is proven or not.

Source: PC World

Not so much a destructive movement that devours everything in it’s path, however with the federal government 100% behind the NBN, its certainly almost at the point of being unstoppable. And it’s landmark decisions such as the respective contracts which continue to edge the NBN project to the point of no return, even if there is a change of Government.

Source: The Age

It’s expected that the National Broadband Network will assist with ‘fixing some of the gaps’ displayed in the various OECD broadband ranking categories, although this will take some time.

Other Key findings on Australia’s Broadband Statistics:
27th for accessibility of digital content
21st for availability of new technology
16th on the Networked Readiness Index

Read more at ITWIre: Conroy finds NBN support in OECD stats

Up until now, Wireless and Satellite technology were flouted as the major candidates to close the gap in the NBN’s plans for rural Australia. This could soon be about to change as researchers from the CSIRO develop Broadband technology that is utilising the soon to be obsolete frequencies that were running analogue television transmissions through VHF/UHF bands.

Read more at News.com.au: Australian Outback could soon get internet though TV aerial

It’s expected that the business case will display how the NBN will cost taxpayers less than initially expected, and that a $5.5 billion saving would be obtained by the inclusion of Telstra. The Government will now hope they can secure the vital votes from independant sentors Steve Fielding as well as Nick Xenophon.

Read more at News.com.au: Government to release business case for national broadband network after pressure from Xenophon

A significant factor driving an agreement with Telstra and the Government, namely that of the ‘competition and consumer safeguards bill’, holds the key to facilitating a NBN deal. This consists of withdrawing the caveats which would stop Telstra making any advancements in their Next G mobile network along with the forcible removable of any stake in FOXTEL.

If this vital piece of legislation can be passed prior to Christmas, then Mr Thodey can present his $9 billion case to Telstra’s shareholders  early next year. If successful, this would effectively pave the way for Telstra to migrate their customer base across to the NBN which would then witness their copper PSTN network made redundant.

I suspect that if a scenario such as this does come into fruition over the course of the next 12 months, then the National Broadband Network may become too entrenched for any future Government to demolish.

Malcolm Turnbull, above all people, should know (which I’m sure he really does) that a national Fibre-to-the-Home broadband network is exactly what we need. Sure, I’ll be the first to admit that it will probably cost in excess of $43 billion, but if we sat back and discussed the pro’s and con’s til the cows come home nothing would ever get done, nothing! Don’t get me wrong here, I also believe that a project as vital and as significant as the NBN does need proper scrutiny and consideration, however this has to be done responsibly.

The biggest issue we have at play here is the fact that Mr Turnbull knows that a NBN (implemented correctly) is the way to go, but his job at hand is to ‘wreck’ it. How can you not agree? Well ‘wreck’ and ‘demolish’ in my opinion are practically the same by definition and his boss, Tony Abbott, has ordered Malcolm Turnbull to “demolish” the Government’s National Broadband Network purely based on the notion that his job is to oppose.

I find this statement absolutely absurd, especially for a leader of the Opposition to say (or any party for that matter) and regardless of warrant or feasibility. If opposition for the Snowy Hydro Scheme or initial Mail, Post, Rail, Electricity Utilities etc… were conducted in this manner, maybe there would of been a lot more shortcomings in these services than what we witness today.  It’s quite possible that only time will tell, but in the meantime the wreckers should get back to politics and not politricks.

Tony’s Hidden Agenda
In fact Tony Abbott’s harsh words effectively will portray Malcolm Turnbull from here on in as a ‘wrecker’.  Mr Turnbull’s appointment as the shadow communications minister could also be very well perceived as a hidden motive for Tony’s other agenda – That is to keep Malcolm Turnbull at bay from a potential future leadership challenge by portraying him as the ‘bad guy’. Maybe Malcolm should cross the floor? Now wouldn’t that be something!!

Which ever way you look at it though, be it Tony or Malcolm, if they’re not bipartisan or prepared to oppose and challenge NBN issues responsibly, and without ridiculous or factual statements, they’re would be NBN wreckers!

Telstra, who has a $9 billion non-binding agreement with the Government that involves the sale of their copper PSTN network, will encourage their shareholders to agree to the deal which is expected to be approved early next year.

Although the construction progress has been delayed by the elongated election outcome, the NBN Co is still on track to name the final list of construction contractors by the end of the year. The progress news was further strengthened by Stephen Conroy recent statement on the ABC radio that the Tasmanian rollout of the NBN has thus far come in under budget and ahead of schedule.

As recent as last week, Mike Quigley (NBNco CEO) advised Senator Stephen Conroy (Communications Minister) that the NBN was capable of more than 100Mbps. In fact, Mr Conroy made it known to the media that the NBN was now capable of achieving 1 gigabit per second broadband speeds. This is 10 times faster than the previously announced 100Mbps speeds and almost 1000 times faster than what many ADSL broadband Internet subscribers are actually experiencing now. Speeds such as 1Gbps can certainly pave the way for undreamed of  innovation and future opportunity.

Now, if Tony Abbott finds this announcement hard to swallow (not just because he’s a self confessed tech illiterate geek), moreover because of the timely turn-around of  the Labor announcement that stipulated the NBN is now capable of 1Gbps speeds. Well it’s true Tony, it is!

Be it clever Politics or be it coincidental timing, the fact is that a Fibre Optic NBN is theoretically capable or achieving much greater speeds than just 1Gbps . Only back in March this year did Japanese Telco NTT record a Fibre test speed of 69.1 Terabits (yes more speed interpretations required).

1 Terabit per second data transfer rate equal to:
1,000,000,000 Kilobits per second (Typical ADSL Speed is 1500 Kilobits)
1,000,000 Megabits per second (100 Megabits original  proposed NBN speed – Tony is proposing 12 Megabits)
1,000 Gigabits per second (1 Gigabit proposed upgradeable NBN speed)
1 Terabit (Future achievable Broadband NBN speeds – 69.1 Terabit speed reached in Japanese NTT test)

So in other words a fibre optic NBN has the potential to be literally ‘Lightning Fast’. As for breaking it down a little bit in terms that Mr Abbott might understand – Fibre Optics is all about harnessing the speed of ‘bright lights’ Tony, ‘bright lights’! But be warned Tony, bright lights can ‘blind you’…. so much so that it may send us all back into the ‘dark ages’ if the Libs were to take down the Government.

My beef is with ‘politricks’ and that Australia’s future and prosperity is essentially being held for ransom purely on the outcome of the 2010 election. If you’re a Liberal voter and believe in Labor’s vision of the NBN, it’s a real pity because you’ll be locked into the Liberals alternative which is ‘more of the same’ of what we have now. Seriously, that equates to a non innovative, restrictive, disjointed and anti-competitive Telecommunication industry!

From my perspective, which consists of working within the industry for the past several or so years, I’ve been able to closely monitor key aspects of Australian Telecommunication eventuation (or lack thereof), and without purposely meaning to sound pro-labor, I can tell you that Labor’s proposal for a National Broadband Network is by far second to none.

Frankly, now that both major parties have revealed their policies on broadband, it’s been made extremely evident (especially to non bias Telco Industry professionals) that there’s a huge overwhelming divide between the two policies. Fundamentally, one is saying there’s nothing wrong with what we have now and the industry will remain in the hands of the private sector and take care of itself. The other is saying, we know there’s issues, however here is an alternative that will rectify the issues and provide the majority of Australians with a State-of-the-Art Broadband Network that will drive us forward to maximise future opportunities and prosperity.

So here’s the deal if your voting preference primarily revolves around Telecommunications - Vote for the Lib’sand get more of what we had pre 2007 on a ‘nothing ventured nothing gained’ scenario. Vote for Labor and get an elite broadband network that will pave the way forward with new and innovative opportunities…. Hang on, there’s another choice if you want the NBN but are unhappy with the Labor party… Vote Green with a Labor preference - This will be considered as a ‘protest vote’ for Labor which essentially says there’s something wrong with LABOR (and LIBERAL), however the prefernce will still count toward a vote for the NBN.

I know it might be difficult for many of you to see beyond your current broadband uses and to possibly imagine the future benefits of a Labor built NBN… However I dare you to try and imagine a society if we were still reliant on older technologies such as operator connected phones, non-electric typewriters and tools etc…, What would our country be like if that was the case? Possibly a little exaggerated huh, but the current Liberals policy on Broadband really lacks any type of vision for the future which, and as I’ve already stated, it means more of the same.

Vote 1 for the NBN!

Sure it may not be a perfect plan and it could cost a few dollars, but imagine if projects like the ‘Snowy Hydro Scheme’ and ‘Sydney Harbour Bridge’ were scrapped at the time…. We’d all be still living in the dark ages, just what the Liberal Party intended.

As is the case with former opposition leader (no wonder) ‘Malcolm Turnbull’ who recently stated that Labor’s National Broadband Network is a complete waste of money – quote “a gigantic torching of taxpayers’ money”. Using a short sighted and shorter now example when holding up an iPhone, Mr Turnbull stated “This requires a very different sort of architecture”. C’mon  Malcolm, do you really want us all think that Wireless Broadband would solve all our problems and be a suitable alternative for the NBN and that there’s absolutely no need for a super high speed national fibre broadband network? Really!

Funny that, coming from an opposition spokesperson who’s party doesn’t even have a policy on Broadband. Mr Turnbull also went on to add that he believes ‘free enterprise’ would take care of the market. Been there, done that. Those who know, know it didn’t work before and know it won’t work again. What is this guy thinking? Sheeezus, is it just purely about ‘votes’ regardless of the consequences? What ever happened to bipartisan support and doing what’s right for the country?

Seriously people, it doesn’t matter if you’re a Labor, Liberal, Green, National or Donkey voter…. It’s Australia’s future that we need to put at the top of the list here. Now all we have to do come August 21st is to figure out how to vote for it.

Media Release documents outlining the respective projects and contractors are obtainable directly from the NBN Co website here.

Published by Ronnie on July 15, 2010 at 12:02 pm

Perhaps the more alarming factor to surface (or lack thereof) from behind Mr Hockey’s speech, was the absence of an NBN alternative. It sounds a lot like the Lib’s are basically committed to scrapping Labor’s whole Digital Education Revolution which includes new high speed broadband, computers, networks and IT programs for schools and of course the entire National Broadband Network project.

It’s one thing to throw around speculative numbers on how the Liberal party can return the economy back into the black by scrapping this and that, but without making any real policy announcements on sound alternatives, suggests uncertainty for effectively mounting a credible case. This leaves significant doubt that the only achievable outcome that a new Liberal Government in power would bring, is a return to the lack lustred innovative and visionary ‘dark ages’ of pre 2007 Governemnt.

Published by Ronnie on May 24, 2010 at 3:41 pm

What is scary is that the censorship doesn’t stop at the filter, but is also present in the public justification for the filter. In an even more shocking move, the Department has indicated that it may not publish all submissions, singling out submissions made by individuals using online tools like the Getup campaign (that now has over 120,000 signatures on this issue).

via Internet filtering: Listen to the people.

“Unfortunately the ETS has been Telstra’s get out of jail card,” Mr Krishnapillai told ABC Television tonight.

“We have a real fear that Telstra will simply cut a sweetheart deal with the government over the next two months.”

via News.com.au.

After months of speculation in regard to the ongoing structural separation saga of Telstra, it has been revealed that the decision is now inevitable and the once monolithic incumbent will now be separated into retail and Wholesale divisions.

The split doesn’t stop at Telstra internal divisions either, as it also involves the severing of affiliations with FOXTEL and its Cable network along with ceasing all operations in conjunction to new wireless broadband development.

Telstra have the option to separate voluntarily, otherwise new regulation legislation will open the door for the government to do so for them. This decision from Senator Stephen Conroy has now paved the way to facilitate the transition of the Industry across to the new National Broadband Network when previous Labor and Liberal governments failed to do so. The right call for Australia’s future, and a brave one too.

Although Telstra’s share price initially fell almost 5% in early morning trading, Mr Conroy has suggested that the separation could make it possible for Telstra shareholders, and all Australians, to benefit from the outcome. Market analysts agree that the decision would be greeted with a neutral reaction.

Interesting times ahead for the Teleco industry…

The ABC has been earmarked as the future ‘Australian Town Square’ for the NBN digital revolution and a place where all Australians can come to speak, listen, be heard and learn from each other.

After receiving a very healthy $136.4 million in funding from the 2009-10 Budget, ABC managing director ‘Mark Scott’ stated that the increase was a vote of confidence for the future role of the ABC in Australia’s digital revolution.

The handout, which is expected to be delivered to the ABC over the next three years, will assist in the development of a new advertising free digital children’s channel that will broadcast high quality educational content. 

An additional $15.3 million, using the Rural and Regional National Broadband Network Initiative, will also be used to implement more than 50 ABC Broadband Hubs which expected to aid the development of community websites and portals.

Split into Retail and Wholesale divisions and we’ll give you the option to buy 49% of the NBN. Maybe not quite that easy, however it’s been stated that Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and the Federal Government will offer Telstra the option to buy a 49% stake in the National Broadband Network if they structurally separate, or should I say functionally separate.

Dangling a lucrative NBN carrot such as the opportunity to own 49 percent of Australia’s next big thing since the Snowy Hydro Hydro Electricity Project will give incoming Telstra CEO David Thodey and the Telstra Board something to think about. It’s not just separation that they will need to consider, moreover this could very well mean that Telstra may have to hand over its existing fibre network among other goodies.

In other related NBN news, it appears that AUSTAR is also vying for a piece of the action. The regional Pay TV Provider has indicated that they have already held informal talks with the Federal Government regarding their wireless communication spectrum and how it could become a vital instrument for the National Broadband Network program.

AUSTAR currently holds a 2.3Ghz and 3.5Ghz band radio spectrum licence for regional Australia until 2015 which they purchased back in 2000 for $140 million. A Wireless and WiMax solution for many rural sectors of Australia could play a pivotal role in delivering high speed broadband Internet, voice and high definition TV services to these regions, especially using the soon to be obsolete analogue TV towers that are left behind.

Meanwhile, failed NBN bidding participant, Axia NetMedia, might not be out of the race just yet. In a Request For Proposals debriefing held recently, Axia NetMedia Global Development and Marketing Vice President ‘Mark Blake’ did not strike out his company’s potential inclusion into, at least, some of the NBN’s construction.

Although tight lipped on outcomes of the debriefing, Mr Blake did suggest that citing certain elements of their recent NBN proposal, he remained confident that specific parts could be used in the upcoming $43 Billion NBN. Furthermore, he admitted that the opportunity for participation had now become more possible, opposed to less.

Could it be likely that Axia NetMedia, like AUSTAR and Telstra, play a major role in the upcoming NBN construction process? From the sounds of Mark Blake, you’d be likely to think as much.

Keep informed with all the important news on the upcoming 100Mbps National Broadband Network right here at the Youcompare Blogs.

Sol Trujillo rides off into the Mexican sunset taking with him a suspected $20 million dollar bon voyage payout, while incoming CEO, David Thodey, is left to pick up the pieces and rekindle the severed relationship left behind between Telstra and the Australian Federal Government. The appointment of Thodey has also seen the resignation of Donald McGauchie, which is effective immediately, along with the appointment of Catherine Livingstone who will take on the company’s chair.

David Thodey was a likely internal candidate to succeed Trujillo. For one, he is an Australian who knows the Australian environment, and possibly a key that won Mr Thodey the board’s vote over three other rivals, including a British executive, was his close relationship with many key Government officials. To the contrary of Mr Trujillo, David Thodey has a calm nature and was not closely associated with Mr Trujillo, so this should also give him a great advantage in the political arena.

Trujillo was essentially hated by the Australian Federal Government. He only had himself to blame for being dropped from the Christmas Card mailing list as his hostile approach to the Australian Telecommunication environment and Federal Government made Trujillo highly unpopular. What’s more, in his time at Telstra since 2005, Good ol Sol personally axed 10,000 Telstra Jobs and was not liked by the ACCC, unions, customers or his own employees. His tenure at Telstra also witnessed the nose dive of Telstra shares by more than 25%, so I guess its safe to say that many Australian Mum’s and Dad’s are also on the list.

David Thodey has definitely got a huge work load ahead of him if he’s going too turn the tide. On his list of priorities will be the new National Broadband Network and the looming Structural Separation of Telstra whilst fending off concerns raised by investors. He certainly appears to have the port folio to pull it off and we wish him well.

David Thodey Background Summary
Kellogg Post-Graduate School General Management Program at Northwestern University in Chicago
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and English from Victoria University in New Zealand
Pre 2001 – Chief Executive Officer IBM Australia / New Zealand (22 year career)
2001 – Group Managing Director of Telstra Mobile of Telstra Corp
2003 – Group Managing Director of Telstra Business and Government of Telstra Corp

In the biggest broadband news to hit the Internet since Telstra was dumped from the NBN process, the incumbent today announced a Cable Broadband upgrade of 100Mbps which will triple existing speeds. Telstra’s timely media release has coincidently surfaced within days of an expected National Broadband Network decision to be made by the Australian Federal Government.

Work on the Telstra cable upgrade roll out will use the latest DOCSIS 3.0 software technology and has been scheduled to start immediately with completion targeted for December this year. The next level of cable broadband speeds is not expected to finish at 100Mbps either, as further upgrade capacities suggest cable broadband potentials can reach speeds of up to 200Mbps.

Although Telstra may be excluded from the Australian NBN process, the Telco still appears to be rapidly releasing upgrades and new features whilst expanding on their already impressive network coverage. It’s almost as though Telstra was seeking to obtain an early ‘upper hand’ against a prospective NBN rival that is due to be announced any day now.

By the end of this year, and provided that all forecasts go to plan, Telstra will have upgraded it’s 2.5 million subscriber cable broadband network to 100Mbps; possibly increased it’s Next G mobile wireless service from 21Mbps to 42Mbps; consolidated broadband Internet access to 99% of the population; and as a result, enabled the potential for millions of people to work from home, improve home automation capabilities and opened the door to an online world of entertainment that includes high definition content viewing.

Funnily enough, this Telstra blueprint could almost deliver high speed broadband of at least 12Mbps (as defined by the Government’s NBN guidelines) to the majority of the population without needing the NBN funding of $4.7 billion? If Telstra was to provide minimum broadband Internet speeds of 12Mbps on both of it’s existing ‘Next G’ and ‘Hybrid Coaxial Cable Networks’, it would only leave an ADSL2+ upgrade to VDSL2 technology in it’s path of meeting the NBN speed requirement.

VDSL2 (Very High Speed Digital Subscriber Line 2) is a broadband Internet access technology that could supercede ADSL2+ services and can theoretically support speeds of 250Mbit/s at the source. However, beyond this distance the speed quickly deteriorates to 100Mbps at 0.5kms, 50Mbps at 1km, then to ADSL2+ speeds (24Mbps) at 1.6kms.

Telstra has already tested VDSL technology and ‘all bets are off’ that this type of technology will be the next in line for a roll out beyond the upcoming cable and Next G upgrades. If VDSL2 does become reality, then Telstra will basically have all the mechanisms in place to compete against an alternative National Broadband Network structure based on the Government’s pre-requisite minimum speed of 12Mbps.

Telstra Media Release.

If the writing wasn’t already on the wall, the imminent fate of Telstra chief ‘Sol Trujillo’ was definitely made more evident after blundering the NBN bid. It’s been officially revealed that the Telstra CEO will in fact step down on June 30th this year after 4 years with the incumbent.

During his period at Australia’s largest telecommunication provider, Mr Trujillo says the results he’s achieved in this respective time has made him incredibly proud. He certainly has Telstra’s world leading Next G Mobile broadband network to his credit, however others would argue his success was limited, especially Telstra’s shareholders.

There’s no doubting that Mr Trujillo’s almost ruthless approach at dealing with the Industry’s challenges; it’s competitors; Australian Government relations; and regulatory conflicts earned him some stripes if not stars, however history will possibly reveal down the track that the one thing that he didn’t know too well was the environment he worked in and it’s people.

So who’s next in the seat? If the board share similar opinions to those just described, I’d be inclined to lean toward an in-house appointment. Telstra may be twice shy when it comes to obtaining a foreigner for the top roll, and someone that will be subject to an unfamiliar, and at times, hostile environment. My guess Telstra’s next boss is an Aussie!

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. On 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.

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 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’

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 supersede 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.

———————————————————————————-

** Updated ** Telstra ‘Booted’ from NBN Process - Tuesday 16th December 2008

As at 15th December 2008, Telstra has been officially ‘rejected’ from the $4.7 billion NBN process by the Australian Federal Government. Sighting a technicality in Telstra’s Broadband Network proposal, Communication’s Minister ‘Senator Conroy’, in a recommendation passed on by the expert panel, stated that Telstra had been rejected on the grounds that it failed to submit a mandatory element of the proposal surrounding a small to medium business plan. 

Sol Trujillo and Telstra appeared to be walking a tight rope right from the NBN inset by submitting a non-compliant bid which entailed a 12 page document only, whilst competing entities were believed to have submitted comprehensive proposals that incorprated 1,000+ detailed pages.

Calling Telstra’s Bluff, the Australian Government has now sent out a loud and clear message by dumping Telstra. This action has essentially displayed a show of strength which indicates the NBN process will not be compromised by parties seeking to hold the Government at ransom.

Telstra’s motives may have been driven by the shareholders best interests, or so they keep saying, however on the flip side it could also be clearly interpreted as an arrogant and somewhat ignorant mistake that has grossly underestimated the Government’s integrity and could cost them dearly. Of course the Telco has their shareholders to consider, but breaking the rules is breaking the rules and above all and foremost, the Government has the entire population of Australia to consider, and has acted accordingly.

As an initial result, Telstra now sees it shares plummeting to their lowest point since entering the ASX in 1997. They also have to explain their actions to their shareholders which has already seen billions of dollars wiped from share pricing. The Government meanwhile, without Telstra on board, have a NBN selection process that will now be perceived as a ‘fair’ and ‘equal’ platform that will offer an ‘open access’ environment which will encourage competition; provide innovation and growth potential through regulatory guidelines; and a future broadband network that should benefit both consumer and business alike.

So what now for Telstra?

The wounded incumbent will now have to consider contingencies as a result of being ‘dumped’. Some say they will try and re-enter the NBN process and negotiate with the Government. The problem here is that it could be too late, and that other bidders will see this approach as a ‘breach’ of guidelines and ‘unfair’.  Either way, litigation could be imminent in a race with such a high purse.

To even contemplate Telstra laying down without a fight is absurd. If they decide not to pursue legal proceedings, they may in fact build their own network as an alternative, or should I say ‘upgrade’ their existing network. Telstra have got the finance, firepower and experience to scale up their network so that it’s faster and made available way way before any future new national broadband network is built. One mustn’t forget all their ongoing technology research and testing that they continuously conduct. Using Wireless technology and as close as early next year, Telstra can roll out robust high speed broadband that can reach 21Mbps for rural areas, and between 50-100Mbps with VDSL2 and Hybrid Fibre Cable technology in maor metropolitan regions. Funnily enough, the latter of these broadband speeds will easily surpass the 12Mbps minimum requirement set by the Government on the NBN process too.

Don’t worry about Telstra folks, they are far from out of the race, regardless of what you, me or anyone else thinks.

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. 

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

Source: AustralianIT.com.au

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!).

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.

Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) – That’s a name you just might need to remember, as the chances are you may need it at some point! The Telecommunications Industry, namely that of Broadband, is the most complained about sector of Australian Business and with a new national broadband network around the corner an agency such as this will be a much needed resource and voice for Australian consumers.

The Federal Government established the new group under growing concerns that consumers were not being given a satisfactory platform in which to voice their discontent. If the unacceptable amount of complaints within the associated industry wasn’t enough to provoke the formation of such a group, the future NBN and all it’s issues leading up to the transition will certainly warrant the ACCAN’s inception. 

“What we need is an effective voice for residential and small business consumers, particularly in light of NBN migration, choice and complexity issues,” Ms Sinclair said.

“The selection of ACCAN’s founding board members will provide a driving force for the establishment of a more powerful voice in the development of telecommunications policy and industry processes,” Senator Conroy said.

source: New body for telco complaints

The demand for the functional, or structural separation, of Telstra has been a very precariously debated and wide spread topic over recent months. If these calls weren’t made loud and clear enough back then, you can bet you’re bottom dollar that almost everyone who reads online technology news will know about them now as regulatory submissions for the new national broadband network have now been made public by the government.

These submissions came from a variety of sources ranging from internet service providers, individuals, business and corporate entities including the likes of Google and Intel, through to state government departments. Funnily enough, the majority of the submissions all shared a common theme (or should I say suggestion), separate Telstra  either operationally or structurally. The respective submissions (including two from Telstra), will make for interesting reading, especially for those who wish to be further informed on the issues surrounding the national broadband network process and it’s regulations.

Industry and public interest groups were invited to provide submissions on regulatory issues associated with the National Broadband Network process.

The Government has reserved the right to not publish submissions or parts of submissions where it considers it appropriate to do so for confidentiality or other reasons.

The views contained in the submissions are those of its authors, and may not represent the views of the Commonwealth or its officers. The Government continues to reserve all of its rights in respect of the Request for Proposals.

Read the Regulatory Submissions at the DBCE

With some Telcos already marketing VDSL2 roll outs, it’s only a matter of time until we witness the emergence of VDSL2 plans, VDSL2 speeds and further VDSL2 providers offering respective services. Australia’s two leading Telecommunication Operators, Optus and Telstra, are also conducting their own research and tests on prospective Broadband technologies such as VDSL2 (very fast digital subscriber line) and BPL (Broadband over Power Lines), the latter being considered as inappropriate at this point in time.

VDSL2 on the other hand is an upgradable DSL transmission technology which has superseded ADSL2+ and one that can also make use of the current copper line infrastructure. Visiting Ericsson telecommunication executive ‘Martin Mellor’ suggests that there’s alot to like about VDSL2 as new technologies will be able to take advantage of the existing copper lines and states that Ericsson’s latest dynamic spectrum management technology could theoretically increase maximum VDSL2+ speeds to 250 megabits (250Mbps) when it becomes available in two or three years time.

It’s becoming more and more likely from all the relevant information surfacing on VDSL2 that this type of Broadband technology will in fact become the preferred technology for delivering Broadband Internet over the new proposed national network. I would be very surprised if ISP’s that I previously mentioned were not particpating in VDSL2 tests and that this type of technology be overlooked. The question now is, not about which type of Broadband technology will be used such as FTTN, FTTH, WiMAX or VDSL2, it’s who will win the NBN bid and manage the new national broadband network.

“We think VDSL2 [transmission technology] is a great step forward from ADSL2+ but we don’t think that’s the end of the life for copper,” said Mr Mellor, who visited Australia last week. “There’s too much copper buried in the ground, and operators want to make that sweat, and there’s always new technologies that are looking to take advantage of that.”

Excerpt: Place for copper in network  

Very high speed digital subscriber line, otherwise known as VDSL2, has been touted as the broadband technology type that will be used by the winning tender for the new national broadband network.

VDSL2 is capable of broadband speeds in excess of 100Mbps and similar to it’s predecessor ADSL, will drop off over short distances. One exciting prospect of VDSL2 is the symmetrical rate that it offers which would make it highly sort after by peer-to-peer enthusiasts and the business sector alike.

With some ISPs either currently marketing VDSL2 as their next upcoming broadband product to be released, or conducting extensive research and testing, VDSL2 appears to be in the box seat as the technology type to be used for the upcoming NBN….. but by whom?

Read more about VDSL2 Broadband at Wikipedia

Competition or no competition, that is the answer! The deconstruction of Telstra as a vertically integrated Telecommunication company could be nigh as the push for it’s structural separation gains momentum. In a report released by ‘Competition Economists Group’, who were commissioned by Telstra’s arch rival Optus, key findings suggested that Telstra (if not structurally separated) would have very powerful incentives to damage competition in the Telecommunication Industry if it were to win the National Broadband Network bid.

As reported back on April 1st, the Structural Separation of monolithic Telco companies in the UK, Europe and now New Zealand are solving anti competition dilemmas. But what about Telstra and it’s shareholders? Well it seems that conjecture and speculation cause investors to be weary and that structurally separating Telstra into retail and wholesale divisions could actually ease the uncertainties behind Telstra’s future and  restore or even improve market confidence.

“This means that if the NBN is owned by a vertically integrated Telstra, then discrimination — and damage to competition — will be a much bigger problem under the NBN than today.”

Today’s report is expected to be the first step in a concerted campaign led by Optus to lobby the Government for a forced split of Telstra.

source: news.com.au

Due to delay from Telstra in releasing critical network information for all proponents of the FTTN NBN bid to examine, Senator Stephen Conroy was left with no alternative accept to extend the deadline for proposal submissions until 12 weeks after the information is released.

Telstra had recently provided some information on it’s network, however it fell short of the comprehensive information needed. In response to Telstra’s sluggish and uncooperative actions, the Government moved to introduce a bill into parliament which will force Telstra to disclose all the relevant network information that’s required.

NBN bidders will have 12 weeks to examine network information

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced that parties participating in the National Broadband Network process will have 12 weeks to consider network information from the date all material is made available.

“In February, I wrote to carriers seeking the voluntary disclosure of network information. All carriers either have or are working towards providing this information in a timely manner and I welcome this cooperative approach,” Senator Conroy said.

“Telstra has provided some network information however despite its best efforts some information is not yet available.”

“The provision of network information is vital to allow potential proponents to build the network to compete on an equal basis.”

“The National Broadband Network represents this nation’s single largest investment in broadband infrastructure. It is important that interested parties have adequate time to make use of information about existing infrastructure,” Senator Conroy said.

For this reason the Government will ensure potential proponents will have 12 weeks to consider network information before being required to lodge their proposals. The Government will amend the Request for Proposals to reflect this timetable.

Further information on the National Broadband Network and how to make a submission is available at www.dbcde.gov.au/nationalbroadbandnetwork

source: minister.dbcde.gov.au

Although not made from earth, the name TERRiA is rock solid and has been adopted (less the Firma of course) as the new name for the group of carriers formerly known as the ‘G9′ (or should I say the G8).

The consortium is made up from Optus, AAPT, iiNet, Internode, Primus, Macquarie Telecom,  SOUL and TransACT with the the ninth member ‘PowerTel’ now owned by AAPT, and to avoid further discrepencies down the track, it makes timely sense that the group come up with the new name of TERRiA. 

Michael Egan recently announced the new name, which is a contraction of ‘Terra Australis’, and said that it also phonetically the same as a terrier which eludes to tenacity and energy.  TERRiA also took the opportunity by saying they will develop a structurally separated model, however, had not yet responded to the current version of the NBN RFP.

“We …like the fact that it’s phonetically the same as terrier which hints at the energy and tenacity which will be needed to win the best communication outcome. In a word it sums up both our determination and the scale of the National Broadband Network with the commitment of coverage across the land.”

source: itwire

There appears to be no stopping the war over Broadband in Australia with a group of ten leading Australia ISP’s taking out a full page newspaper advertisement to promote their new website ‘fairgobroadband.com.au’. The new site basically takes a shot at potential Telstra pricing if it were to win the National Broadband Network bid.

AAPT, iiNet, Internode, Macquarie Telecom, Optus, PowerTel, Primus, Soul, Telarus and TransAct are the ISP’s who are leading the charge against Telstra and the push on fair pricing for Broadband. Their new site has a very limited menu interface but does in fact have a petition form so that you can voice your concerns to the Government over pricing for the new NBN along with links to a coinciding PDF; a respective speech by Optus CEO Paul O’Sullivan; and a link to the ‘Tell the Truth Telstra’ site. It appears that these sites, and information on such, have been brought about and developed specifically to counteract in what’s been described as the ‘Telstra Propaganda’ website ‘Nowwearetalking.com.au’.

There is a clear and present danger that in its rush to roll out the National Broadband Network (NBN), the Government will give away critical competition and consumer safeguards. This would see Telstra regain its monopoly control of fixed line voice and broadband; drive much higher broadband prices; and in turn keep broadband usage well below its potential. Such an outcome would see Australia fail to secure the true benefits of broadband.

Visit or register your concern by visiting http://www.fairgobroadband.com.au/

In a recent speech on the upcoming National Broadband Network by OPTUS CEO Paul O’Sullivan, he stated that his overall message could be summed up in one phrase ‘Australia cannot take Competition in Broadband for granted’. In colloquial terminology using a famous Aussie expression it sounds more like he’s asking for a ‘Fair Go’ due to the current (and past) state of the Australian Broadband Industry and the Policy Guidelines behind the NBN process.  

Mr O’Sullivan also referred to the National Broadband Network as ‘Open Heart Surgery’ and touched on subjects that inlcuded The OPEL Decision, Structural Separation and gave an insight into the Broadband Market and the struggle that many ISP’s have against Telstra’s monopoly of the industry due to regulatory inadequacies.

Telstra has used its market power, over two thirds market share in residential fixed voice, to keep prices high – whilst pocketing the savings from the lower wholesale prices we have been forced to give it.

But recent developments are giving us increasing concern that the fine words of opposition are being lost under the heavy burden of Government and in the face of a seductive though anticompetitive pitch from Telstra.

If the new national broadband network is a repeat of Telstra controlling bottleneck infrastructure it will be a comprehensive policy failure – and Australian consumers will literally pay for this mistake.

we stand ready to provide a compelling proposal which will dramatically improve Australia’s broadband services. But we can only do this if we are given a fair and reasonable chance to put in a serious and compelling bid.

Read the entire speech article at news.com.au