Stories by Adam Bender

Ludlam to raise TrapWire concerns at hearing

Greens Senator Scott Ludlam isn’t backing down on the TrapWire controversy even after Australian government agencies denied they are using the surveillance system.

Eftel positions for NBN with Engin acquisition

Eftel agreed to pay $9.1 million to buy VoIP provider Engin.

Industry, government meet to prevent top-level domain fraud

Melbourne IT reported progress on a proposal to strengthen trademark protections for organisations as ICANN gets set to roll out more than 1000 new generic top-level domains (gTLDs).

Visionstream wins $71 million contract with Royal Adelaide Hospital

Visionstream will build network infrastructure for the new Royal Adelaide Hospital to be completed in 2016, under a $71 million deal announced today with design and construction partners Hansen Yuncken Leighton Contractors Joint Venture.

Data retention proposal 'raises more questions than it answers,' says IIA executive

The Internet Industry Association has asked for more information on the government’s proposal to require retention of Internet user data for two years, said IIA CEO Peter Lee. Lee, who became the IIA’s CEO in July, said other current areas of focus include updating the iCode and reforming copyright laws.

Australian Law Reform Commission to be next battleground for Optus TV Now

The Australian Digital Alliance plans to take copyright issues surrounding the Optus TV Now recording service to the Australian Law Reform Commission, according to the Alliance’s executive director, Ellen Broad.

Telcos say data retention proposals 'gloriously ill-defined'

The telecom industry has slammed data retention proposals by the government at an Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) conference today in Sydney.

Vodafone building location-aware text alerts system

An SMS emergency warning system developed by Vodafone will let government and emergency services send text message alerts to customers on the Vodafone network, based on their location and proximity to danger.

Broadband competitors seek to level playing field with NBN

The NBN should heat up telco competition in a broadband market that has been dominated by Telstra, said Optus, Vodafone and iiNet officials on a panel at the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) conference in Sydney. However, they said the national network won’t resolve all inequities in the telco industry.

NBN won't close broadband gap, say advocates for rural communities

Even with the National Broadband Network (NBN), more work remains to bridge the digital divide between regional and metropolitan areas in Australia, said advocates for rural communities at the the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) conference in Sydney.

Bank customers want video services: Telstra

Video could be a competitive differentiator for financial institutions as banks increasingly use technology to gain an edge on rivals, according to a Telstra white paper published Wednesday. Telstra is seeking to sell network management and unified communications services to banks to handle technological challenges that come with a move to videoconferencing.

Telstra installs 1000th ADSL2+ 'Top Hat'

Telstra has passed the halfway point in a project to upgrade homes and businesses to ADSL2+ fixed broadband, the telco announced on its blog. The project, which Telstra calls “Top Hat,” places broadband boxes on top of the telco’s existing street-side cabinets.

Victoria offers alms to tech developers

Victoria will give vouchers to technology companies in the state under an $8 million program announced by the Vic Coalition Government.

Telstra Super runs analytics on 100,000 members

Telstra Super adopted a business intelligence tool from Tableau Software to analyse 22 years of member data, Tableau said.

Melbourne businesses to get Optus 4G 15 September

Optus will launch 4G services for Melbourne businesses and consumers on 15 September, the telco said, with its 4G network now open for Sydney, Perth and Newcastle consumers, following launches of 4G business services there.