Category Archives: Technology

This NBN Or That NBN?

Generally speaking, apart from the recent asbestos incidents, things have been relatively quiet on the National Broadband Network (NBN) front of late. There have been some regulatory issues going on, but largely there hasn’t been much noise. With the election approaching, broadband will go in one of two directions in Australia, depending on the result. […]

Why Are We So Shocked About PRISM?

Ever since The Guardian started revealing details of secret internet surveillance against private citizens undertaken by US government agencies – (such as the NSA) – which ultimately lead to the whistleblower Edward Snowden outing himself as their source, there has been international outcry as to the nature of these activities. As there should be. Many […]

Asbestos: Lets Just Fix It

Shall we be honest here for a moment? There’s been a lot of heat in the last week over the issue of asbestos lining in thousands of telecommunications pits around Australia, being remediated as part of the National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout. Certainly, it would seem that a number of Telstra sub-contractors – (and probably […]

Dereel NBN Tower Finally Gets Approval

NBN Co has finally won the fight to erect a wireless tower for their network rollout in the tiny Victorian town of Dereel: Dereel NBN Wireless Tower Gets Green Light “A National Broadband Network wireless tower has been cleared for construction in Dereel, after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) quashed residents’ objections.” “The […]

The Future Of Telecommunications (1961 Style)

Just stumbled onto this fascinating vision for the future of telecommunications – as that future was seen by AT&T in 1961. Keep an eye out for your rocket delivery from France!

Why Must Oracle Treat Us Like Idiots?

With yet another round of Java security updates – (this time to address 42 new security issues) – reaching our computers today, I find myself once again getting agro with Oracle with the nonchalant way they treat people when their updates roll. Why on earth should/would a security patch be asking us to install a […]

Turnbull Admits His NBN Could Cost The Same As Existing Plan

Despite continuing high levels of public support for the existing FTTP National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout plan, and his claims that his alternative FTTN approach will be “cheaper”, Malcolm Turnbull admitted yesterday that his plan could end up costing just as much in the long run. Turnbull’s NBN Could ‘Cost The Same’ In The Long-run […]

Coalition Gaffe: Turnbull And Abbott Wrong On Geelong NBN Claim

In an embarrassing gaffe, just two days after the launch of their alternate NBN policy, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, and his communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull have been caught out lying about the status of the proposed fibre rollout in the Geelong region. TWEET: “@TonyAbbottMHR: With press + @TurnbullMalcolm at Marcus Oldham College Geelong. Under Labor […]

Credibility And The Alternate NBN

Today has seen the release of the long awaited, often touted Coalition alternative broadband policy to the current National Broadband Network (NBN) scheme. In a press conference that became heated during questions, Malcolm Turnbull announced a $29.4 billion plan to provide FTTP for 22% of Australia, FTTN to 71%, LTE Wireless to 4% and Ka-band […]

Turnbull Suggests Eighteen Billion Dollars Is Not Material

In an interview on the ABC program Inside Business this morning, National Broadband Network (NBN) CEO Mike Quigley reiterated what many observers of the NBN have been saying for years. That the alternative Coalition policy would be far more expensive for Australia in the long run. Said Quigley of the costs of FTTP compared to […]