You may have read about Sony’s plan to install a fibre-based internet service in Japan which could reach download speeds of 2 gigabits a second (Gbps).
That’s 20 times faster than speeds offered by Labor…
Will the NBN be more “future-proof” under Labor or the Coalition?
Lukas Coch/AAP image
In yesterday’s Business Spectator, shadow communications minister Malcolm Turnbull defended the Coalition’s broadband plan, released on Tuesday, as a better alternative to Labor’s National Broadband Network…
Regardless of which NBN policy is implemented, it will be a win-win situation for Telstra.
AAP
Many commentators have claimed that the Coalition has proposed a cheaper but backward fibre-to-the-node option compared to Labor’s top of the range fibre-to-the-premises network.
However, this is not…
Yesterday, the Coalition launched its blueprint for the national broadband network, which will have lower access speeds but will be cheaper to build. But is it good policy?
AAP
“The superfast broadband of the order of 100+ megabits per second (Mbps) and into the gigaspeed bracket is de rigueur for any nation purporting to be a developed and advancing economy.” – Phil Ruthven…
“Quick and dirty” or “slow but consistent”? The policies are now on the table.
Dan Peled/AAP Image
Today in Australia, the Coalition released its policy on the National Broadband Network (NBN). So what is the proposal?
Amid rhetoric claiming Labor government inefficiency, cost blowouts and failure…
The ACCC has concerns over NBN Co’s wholesale pricing plans.
Yesterday, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recommended that NBN Co revise its wholesale agreement — including proposals on pricing and access — as outlined in its special access…
Brunswick households have largely welcomed the NBN, but more needs to be done to address retail pricing structures for high-speed broadband plans.
AAP
By Rowan Wilken, Swinburne University of Technology
The NBN is emerging as one of the key issues in the lead-up to this year’s federal election. But the project has been fraught with challenges: planning issues and a shortage of skilled labour have delayed…
Silver bullets are elusive when it comes to curbing illegal downloads.
aquella manera
We know online piracy exists; we know governments want to stop it – but what are the options?
Richard Freudenstein, CEO of Australia’s largest pay-TV provider Foxtel, has joined the chorus of entertainment…
Concerns about the NBN destroying Australian music are just scaremongering.
AAP/Joel Carrett
The NBN could have disastrous results for the local [music] industry.
At least, that was the view of peak recording industry body the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and local…
Is it time to declare the NBN a “national disaster”?
MATEUS_27:24&25
The National Broadband Network (NBN) is in dire trouble and has reached the point where Julia Gillard should declare a national disaster.
By doing so the government would be able to utilise constitutional…
Getting something we all need for nothing … what’s not to love?
madlyinlovewithlife
The Washington Post reported on February 4 that the US federal government wanted to create super Wi-Fi networks across the USA.
While it appears that statements by the US Federal Communications Commission…
If we assume that demand for in-flight internet is going to increase, it’s time we did something about it.
Damian Shaw/AAP
The trial of in-flight Wi-Fi on six Qantas Airbus A380s flying between Melbourne, Los Angeles and London has ended, following an announcement by the carrier last week.
So why does this matter? And could…
Asian languages are important, but they should be one part of a greater focus on Asia in the curriculum.
Asian image from www.shutterstock.com
Despite the breadth of issues in the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper released this week, so far the debate has focused largely on language learning in schools. With fewer and fewer students…
Open health is one side of “open data” policies being pursued by countries all over the world.
Kate Ter Haar
“Open health” captures a broad set of information technologies that will change the way we approach health and health care. It encompasses “ehealth” (the storage and provision of personal medical information…
The internet of the future could consume 10% of the world’s electricity supply.
rachel_titiriga
Despite its new economy sheen, the internet represents a surprisingly large old economy drain on energy resources. Industry and academia must work together to ensure the internet is a positive contributor…
The Australian Financial Review isn’t everyone’s first choice for coverage of the NBN.
Lukas Coch/AAP
The presence of “trolls” in online forums is often portrayed as a blight on constructive debate, but a recent stoush indicates political discussion by antagonistic online users may not be all bad.
You…
Much like the development of the railway in the 19th century, the National Broadband Network (NBN) will transform our society.
Wikimedia Commons
When I grew up in Canada there was a famous painting on the wall of nearly every primary school classroom. It was called “The Last Spike” and it depicted the final railway track connection being hammered…
How can consumers get what they want on an NBN-enabled Australia without getting wires crossed?
NBNCO
Unless you’ve been boycotting all forms of media in the past five years, you’ll be aware that the National Broadband Network (NBN) is well and truly on its way.
For some of us the NBN is already here…
Broadcasting live surgeries in Australia is not only possible, it’s already happening.
Flickr/Focus Laser Vision
The promise of technology is under-utilised in the medical profession but that’s hopefully about to change. Existing audiovisual equipment within hospitals is being used to fill training gaps and reach…
Treasurer Wayne Swan is chuffed about the surplus, but it pays to take a deeper look at the numbers.
AAP
Government budgets are increasingly becoming more political documents. This has been particularly evident with the federal government’s pledge to return the budget to surplus.
However, budget numbers…
Read the second part of our In Conversation between Stephen King (left) and former ACCC head, Graeme Samuel.
AAP
Welcome to part two of our In Conversation between the former head of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Graeme Samuel and Monash’s Professor Stephen King, also a former competition regulator…
Pepper’s Ghost is an amazing technique, but holograms, done right, are so much cooler.
kisokiso
Last week rapper Tupac Shakur performed at the Coachella music festival in California – a notable feat given he was shot dead
in 1996.
Tupac’s glowing image appeared on stage, rapping, dancing and interacting…
Huawei has trumpeted its private-sector credentials, but it is a critical supplier of technology to the People’s Liberation Army and has strong links to the CCP.
AAP
In response to the Australian government’s decision to prevent Huawei from tendering for National Broadband Network projects, Huawei Australia went on the offensive. Former foreign minister and current…
The NBN promises to be way more than a technology side-show.
Theophilos
Now that the hoopla associated with the Australian National Broadband Network (NBN) has died down somewhat, I’d like to discuss one of the significant opportunities by drawing a line between the NBN and…
Telstra chief executive David Thodey at Telstra’s annual general meeting where shareholders voted for an $11 billion NBN deal.
AAP
Telstra shareholders have agreed to an $11 billion deal today that will hand over the telco’s fixed line network to NBN Co.
Under the deal, Telstra will decommission its copper line network as customers…
Malcolm Turnbull talks about Telstra’s structural separation, the ACCC and much more with Joshua Gans.
Supplied
Welcome to the latest in our In Conversation series, between Opposition Spokesman for Communications and Broadband, Malcolm Turnbull and economist, Professor Joshua Gans.
This week, attention has again…
Broadband-enabled technologies can ensure a more comfortable ageing process.
sparktography
Welcome to If I had a blank cheque … a series in which leading researchers reveal what they could (and would) do in their discipline if money were no object.
Today we hear from Dr Kate Cornick, Executive…
Great headlines … shame about the reality.
Australian Federal Police/AAP
By Philip Branch, Swinburne University of Technology
Another day, another hacking exploit makes headlines.
This time it’s a “self-taught, lone hacker”, David Cecil, apparently known online as “Evil”, who allegedly broke into Platform Networks' site, one…
Investment in Australia’s ports is one obvious priority to enhance growth – but let’s broaden our outlook.
There has been much debate in the popular and political discourse on the state of our national infrastructure.
The general consensus, despite Victoria’s Baillieu government’s failure to put forth any…
Are traditional telephony services looking down the barrel of a gun?
Grace
If you use services such as Skype, you’ll already know about Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This is what makes your video calls with loved ones possible, and – not least with the advent of the NBN…
NBN Co chief Mike Quigley and Stephen Conroy still face many tough tasks.
AAP
The news that NBN Co has found a way to move forward from the crucial cost-of-construction issue must have surely lifted the Gillard Government’s spirits.
NBN Co, the government-owned corporation in charge…
Is the NBN a “perfect answer” to Australia’s broadband needs?
Mozzer502/Flickr
A little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Radio 2GB commentator Alan Jones demonstrated this adage last week when commentating on a recent technology breakthrough by a group of international…
The NBN could give all Australians access to online services.
iStockphoto
The big picture
Australia’s plan for a National Broadband Network (NBN) represents one of the largest infrastructure projects in the world at present.
The estimated $43 billion price tag has stirred…
