Affordable

Missing the national Wi-Fi boat

An investigation into Telstra’s Wi-Fi network this week in Business Spectator has highlighted the chaotic nature of the telecommunications industry, the lack of a government plan for the inevitable national and community public Wi-Fi rollouts and dithering by NBN Co, that has led to a missed opportunity to utilise the National Broadband Network (NBN) as infrastructure of choice for special services like Universal Service Obligation (USO) funded payphones and Wi-

How Netflix mania helps the NBN

Netflix arrival in Australia has caused a flurry of activity in the telecommunications industry and local media organisations have rushed to respond by launching their own media streaming companies. Foxtel has lowered its prices significantly and now gone online to meet the Netflix generated threat to its traditional cable offering. In Business Spectator what this means for the NBN is discussed and the picture is rosy if nbn can capitalise on the data boom.

Is an NBN compromise still possible?

The bipartisan agreement on the renewable energy target demonstrates how an industry body can work for an outcome that finds the middle ground. The Clean Energy Council has led the way and demonstrated that the Communications Alliance should be pushing for a bipartisan solution for the National Broadband Network.

Have the copyright bullies pushed too hard?

The week in Business Spectator the discussion focuses on the owners of the film Dallas Buyers Club and the multinationals supporting the world wide fight against illegal downloading have adopted tactics that go too far.

Can Australian Telecommunications become more affordable?

The general consensus at the annual Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) national conferenceis was that the cost of telecommunications can be more affordable and the hows and why are discussed in Business Spectator to show that the consumer perspective is an important view that Telcos and the government regulator shou

NG-PON2 is a technology that could turbocharge the NBN

NBN Co's failure to continue rolling out FTTP and to adopt second generation NG-PON2 when it becomes available in early 2016 is discussed in Business Spectator to identify how NBN Co is moving down a path that can only lead to Australia having a second rate obsolete copper access network at a time when our competitors are moving towards all fibre access networks.

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How NBN Co's 'Fibre on Demand' works

NBN Co’s Technology Choice Program (TCP) provides a mechanism for individuals or local community groups to upgrade their National Broadband Network (NBN) access technology and while the concept might appear straightforward, for one local community group - the Nathan Forrest Community Association (NFCA) – the road to a technology upgrade has been a bewildering one.

Wireless hope for locations outside NBN reach

New gigabit broadand point to point transmission operating in the free 38GHz spectrum band is now available and could provide an opportunity for NBN Co to connect hard to get to premises to the nearest node rather than to satellite. In The Australian the offering from Starry, a U.S. start-up, is discussed and how it will provide a flexible option for telcos.

Australia ignores cyber security at its peril

National security is vital for the nations future and it is critical that moves to improve the security of telecommunications infrastructure be supported. In Business Spectator the Telecommunications Sector Security Reforms are discussed and why we need to support the development of good legislation.

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Will Parliament act on NBN folly?

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) raids raise a number of questions about the use of Police resources to identify documents leaked from NBN Co. The AFP raids appear to have been carried out incorrectly and there is reason to criticise the AFP's interaction with NBN Co whilst carrying out the raids. Today in Innovationaus.com the need for Parliament to review what has happened is discussed.

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