The federal government has invited expressions of interest in securing a slice of the AU$23.7 million in funding made available to boost broadband access in regional Australia.
Bruce Billson, the Liberal communications spokesperson, has taken aim at Labor's plans to draw on money from the previous government's communications fund to build its fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) network.
Part of the government's National Broadband Network plan, the $250 million injection to create new backhaul links in regional areas, could start construction by September this year.
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has tabled his "initial" response to the regional telecommunications review completed by Dr Bill Glasson's team last year: $60 million in extra funding.
Telstra has warned using National Broadband Network funding to provide alternatives to its own rural infrastructure may lead to increased costs and other problems.
In the second of our two programs looking at the Senate Inquiry into the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment Bill, we hear from shareholders, bureaucrats and industry groups.
Rural areas will be welcoming the government's decision to put its money where its politicising is, funnelling $250m into a regional fibre upgrade to six rural centres. Remedying over a decade of near-neglect at the hands of telecoms privatisation, the investment could be the firmest step yet for Labor's NBN dream but with inevitable political questions and a looming election, Rudd and Conroy need to deliver, and quickly, to preserve the NBN's credibility.
Joe the Shearer can wait. Telstra is clearly going to roll out its NBN in capital cities first, where the most customers live and, despite Telstra's assertions, many residents already have access to decent broadband.
In times of financial crisis, it's inevitable that companies reassess their financial plans.
Say what you will about Senator Stephen Conroy, but he is clearly not a man afraid of confrontation. Well, he'd better not be, because by killing off the OPEL WiMax project he has just set himself up for a battle with Telstra of Biblical proportions or a big meal of crow washed down with a $4.7 billion gift to SingTel Optus.
The South Australian government hopes to build a fibre broadband network in the regional centre of Mount Gambier.
Boss of internet service provider Exetel, John Linton, says the National Broadband Network should be handed to the only company that can build it Telstra and he's not impressed by NBN Co chief Mike Quigley.
Legislation setting up the regulations for the National Broadband Network could be introduced to parliament as early as this week, which means Telstra will soon get some clarity about whether it's in a lot of trouble or just a little bit.
Antivirus software manufacturers all claim to protect us against threats, but how well do they actually perform? We put six popular business internet security packages to the test.
Reading Telstra's submission to the government on NBN regulation is a bit like reading a combination of Dicken's David Copperfield, specifically the simpering character known as Uriah Heep, and Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.
Antivirus software manufacturers all claim to protect us against threats, but how well do they actually perform? We put six popular business internet security packages to the test.
The mobile phone industry, often accused of having too many players for the size of the market, may have found a new -- and more sensible -- way to operate in Australia.
So far, the open source browser has been getting a free ride -- nobody is criticising it. That is, until now.
Smart cards are anticipated to be the next generation in public transport ticketing systems. What are the obstacles faced in implementing them?
How can Australian businesses configure backup software so that it reduces rather than increases workloads, and perhaps even provides some return on investment in the process?
Telstra shareholders fear break up
What do Telstra shareholders think of the telco's new CEO David Thodey? And would they support the government'… Watch it now
The Change Program changes its Agenda
What happens when you change the agenda of the ATO's Change Program, or program in some changes to the Agenda?… Watch it now
Microsoft's Tracey Fellows on Windows 7
After the launch of Windows 7 last week, ZDNet.com.au spoke briefly with Microsoft Australia and New Zealand M… Watch it now
Having problems with complex data center? Simplify your data center now.
Can the Telco Reform Act be win-win?
Has New Zealand's smiling assassin delivered?
The long-awaited separation of Telstra
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