Archived News for IT Professionals

The New Zealand Government-owned company, Research Education Advanced Network New Zealand (REANNZ), is set to become the first customer for Pacific Fibre's planned trans-pacific fibre cable link between New Zealand, Australia and the US West Coast.

REANNZ has agreed on key commercial terms with Pacific Fibre for a 'substantial contract' to supply international capacity on the new Pacific Fibre cable system for its 'KAREN' broadband service to the New Zealand research, education and innovation communities.

REANNZ CEO, Donald Clark, said that under the agreement, Pacific Fibre would provide "effectively unconstrained capacity to Australia and the USA from mid-2014, allowing us to collaborate with the rest of the world on an equal footing.”

ADSL2+ to expand into regional SA

Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Stephen Conroy has welcomed the launching of ADSL2+ services to South Australia’s Victor Harbor, saying that it is the first step to promoting better services to regional South Australia.

NBN Co announces recruitment providers

The National Broadband Network Co has announced the panel of employment suppliers to support its recruitment activities.

Employment demand in ICT to increase

Employment demand across the information media and telecommunications sector is set to increase by 6.0% over the coming five years according to the Australian Jobs 2011 report published by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).

First mainland NBN site goes live as PM announces funding for digital education

The first National Broadband Site has been opened by Prime Minister in Armidale, New South Wales, where she also took the opportunity to announce additional funding for digital education as part of the Digital Regions Initiative.

Federal budget largely "ignored" ICT sector: AIIA

The Federal Budget has largely ignored the ICT sector, leaving the peak industry body to pin its hopes on the release of the Digital Economy statement later this month, according to the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA).

Budget details funding regime for NBN

Over the next four years, the Government will progressively inject equity into NBN Co totalling $18.2 billion to help finance the roll out of the NBN, in line with NBN Co’s Corporate Plan.

NBN Co. to appear at review of NBN rollout

The Joint Committee on the National Broadband Network will hold its first hearing in Sydney today on the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN).

NBN appoints Fujitsu for greenfields roll-out

NBN Co has appointed Fujitsu Australia Limited as its prime alliance partner to deliver fibre infrastructure to new developments following a tender process that began in December last year.

NBN Co CEO, Mike Quigley said that Fujitsu has the necessary workforce capacity and expertise for rapid deployment to meet the demand for fibre services in new developments. The deal with Fujitsu is expected to be worth $100 million in the first year alone, with the first laying of fibre in new developments to begin within the fortnight.

“Fujitsu, and their construction partner ServiceStream, will provide a managed service including network design, construction and installation works in new developments, working alongside NBN Co’s operations team to integrate with our business and operating systems,” Mr Quigley said.

“Since 1 January 2011 NBN Co has received more than 1,480 applications from developers of new estates, representing approximately 133,000 premises to be connected across Australia. These applications are submitted for individual stages of developments, but due to different construction timeframes and housing demand, fibre deployment will be spread over a period of up to three years. NBN Co will work with developers to deploy fibre as and when it is needed.”

“Our partnership with Fujitsu is a key milestone for NBN Co as it allows us to start deploying fibre into these new developments across the country concurrently,” said Mr Quigley.

Report warns of ICT skills shortages for NBN uptake

The 2011 Environment Scan conducted by Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) has warned that skills shortages in the ICT industry may impact on the effective uptake and use of the National Broadband Network.

Optus moves to triple Tasmanian coverage

Optus has announced its plans to expand its 3G mobile network coverage in Tasmania over the next two years, significantly increasing the company's operations in the state.

NBN's interim satellite service up by July

The NBN Co has announced the roll out of its interim satellite service to remote and regional Australian homes by the start of July. The NBN Co has announced priority will be given to households that have had no access to broadband service in regional and remote areas.

AIIA asks Government to make the digital economy 'a reality for Australia'

The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) has implored the Australian Government and industry to seize on opportunities to create a digital economy in Australia.

ACMA considers possible spectrum strategy

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released two papers signalling its intention to develop a new future spectrum strategy that intends to makes use of the best current and future mobile broadband technology.

Australian Government's Cloud Computing Strategy paper released

The Australian Government Information Management Office has released its Cloud Computing Strategic Direction Paper, outlining the whole-of-government policy position on cloud computing and providing guidance for agencies about what cloud computing is and some of its issues and benefits.

Review into ATO Change Program released

The Inspector-General of Taxation office has released its Review into the Australian Office’s Change Program, which details the impact of the Change Program on the office’s ability to process income tax returns and refund payments for taxpayers and tax practitioners.

$1.3 million to speed up online airport experience

Major research to be conducted by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) into airport operations and command and control has been received a one million Euro (AU$1,361,000) investment by Siemens to purchase Vantage, the company's leading software platform for command and control of critical infrastructure and incident response management.