Community Broadband Project Messages

NBN Boss Outlines Network Structures

Editor — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 03:43:31 GMT

The importance of broadband telecommunications technology to rural and regional areas cannot be underestimated The correlations [as outlined in the ...

Research:Community Wireless Infrastructure Research Project (CWIRP)

Bill Coppinger — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:10:48 GMT

The Community Wireless Infrastructure Research Project (CWIRP)may be of interest. The project brings together an interdisciplinary team of academic ...

Telstra and Google Discuss Fibre to the Home

Bill Coppinger — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:43:29 GMT

Telstra said [on February 11th] it had spoken to Google management about its rollout of gigabit fibre-to-the-home in the US which was announced this ...

OECD says Australia has most expensive Mobile Broadband

Bill Coppinger — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:05:04 GMT

The OECD has just released its mammoth "Communications Outlook for 2009" and it shows Australia as one of the most expensive countries for ...

Telstra wins $146m Catholic Schools network

Bill Coppinger — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:39:47 GMT

Telstra has won a five-year, $146 million network services deal to provide network connectivity to 1550 Australian Catholic schools. ...

Digital Regions Initiative

Bill Coppinger — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:00:09 GMT

A competitive selection process for digital education, health and emergency services in regional, rural and remote Australia will commence in the ...

Technology for Not for Profit Organisations!

Bill Coppinger — Sat, 30 May 2009 22:28:07 GMT

Dear Colleagues, We work with many not-for-profit, income exempt organisations across our region and we know how difficult it is to support your IT ...

Australia 2020 - Broadband Government Response

Bill Coppinger — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:24:17 GMT

The Prime Minister released the Government response to the Australia 2020 Summit on 22 April 2009. ...

Developing Australia's digital skills

Bill Coppinger — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:58:49 GMT

Developing Australia's digital skills . To fully participate in the digital economy, Australians need effective digital, media literacy and ...

Wireless OK where broadband won't go

Bill Coppinger — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:56:39 GMT

The [Australian] federal government is set to save millions of dollars in subsidy payments for families that cannot receive broadband, following a ...

UK government unveils broadband-for-everyone plan

Bill Coppinger — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:52:07 GMT

Every home in Britain will be guaranteed access to broadband internet under plans unveiled by the government, which put the technology on a par with ...

Bridging the Digital Divide - A Young Person's Perspective

Bill Coppinger — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:57:24 GMT

The Inspire Foundation - a national organisation that uses technology to create opportunities for young people to change their world - and funded by ...

National baseline of school broadband connectivity 2008

Bill Coppinger — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:13:29 GMT

National baseline of school broadband connectivity 2008 This paper presents the aggregated national findings drawn from the first Fibre Connections ...

Industry, business & Government drive digital economy future

Bill Coppinger — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:17:19 GMT

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, met with industry and business leaders on the 10th of ...

Victoria set for $35m broadband boost

Bill Coppinger — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 05:54:30 GMT

According to MIS Australia - The Victorian government will pump $35 million into upgrading high-speed internet services to rapidly growing regions of ...

Australian Broadband Guarantee Extended

Bill Coppinger — Tue, 20 May 2008 05:11:04 GMT

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy, Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, announced [on the 13th of May] an extension of the ...

Regional doctors to operate in virtual world....

Bill Coppinger — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:32:55 GMT

Regional doctors to operate in virtual world with specialists . North-west Victoria's major hospitals will install new high-tech equipment that will ...

Digital Education Revolution

Bill Coppinger — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:30:05 GMT

The Australian Government is committing new funding of $1 billion over four years to provide: through the National Secondary School Computer Fund, ...

Telstra Loses High Court Battle

Bill Coppinger — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:11:26 GMT

The High Court of Australia has ruled against Telstra in its challenge against the Trade Practices Act and the ability for the ACCC to set access ...

Australian Broadband Survey - Value Drops for Users.....

Bill Coppinger — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:02:40 GMT

Whirlpool has completed its 2007 Australian Broadband Surevy. Among many questions asked was: In the last twelve months, has broadband value changed? ...

Telstra ADSL2+ at 900 more exchanges

Bill Coppinger — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:03:51 GMT

According to Whirlpool: Telstra will enable ADSL2+ at 900 further telephone exchanges, in a surprise announcement. ...

Shift Happens

Bill Coppinger — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:11:23 GMT

S H I F T - H A P P E N S

Bill Coppinger — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:18:12 GMT

S h i f t - H a p p e n s www.centralrangesllen.org.au/shifthappens

Consultation for Broadband in Local Government Areas

Bill Coppinger — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 15:47:47 GMT

Multimedia Victoria (MMV) and the Municipal Association of Victoria invite those working in policy and program development, service delivery and ICT, ...

CEDA - Local Broadband Solutions

Bill Coppinger — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 05:33:12 GMT

According to a report published by CEDA, the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia, "Australia's governments should ensure that ...

Nationals won't confirm bush broadband - The Australian

Bill Coppinger — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 22:41:46 GMT

The Australian News paper reports today: NATIONALS leader Mark Vaile has declined to confirm whether the Federal Government will spend $900 million ...

Aust-Wide Network Outage!!

Bill Coppinger — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 22:34:34 GMT

The Broadband Users site, "Whirlpool" reports: From late last night, [June 5th 9:45pm] customers from numerous Australian ISPs are ...

Clever Networks - Round 2

Bill Coppinger — Wed, 16 May 2007 04:11:10 GMT

Yesterday, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, called for a further round of submissions ...

Administrative arrangements for Australian Broadband Guarantee

Bill Coppinger — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 17:28:52 GMT

Administrative arrangements for Australian Broadband Guarantee. The $162.5 million Australian Broadband Guarantee builds on the HiBIS and Broadband ...

162.5 Million for Broadband

Bill Coppinger — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:52:41 GMT

Australians will now be able to access broadband services regardless of where they live thanks to the Australian Government's $162. ...

Review of the provision of telecommunications equipment to consumers with disabilities

Bill Coppinger — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 01:03:06 GMT

This report looks at the current arrangements in place for providing equipment to people with disabilities. ...

Wireless Broadband in Kilmore

Bill Coppinger — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 15:06:25 GMT

Cirrus Communications has recently launched a Broadband Wireless service into Kilmore and surrounding areas. ...

Broadband Connect Open

Bill Coppinger — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:14:08 GMT

Broadband Connect is an $878 million initiative of the Australian Government to support equitable access to high quality, sustainable broadband ...

Telstra launches NEXT G network

Bill Coppinger — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 02:52:48 GMT

Telstra has launched its new "NEXT G" 3G network with much fanfare today, promising real world speeds of between 550Kbit/s and 1. ...

Telstra High Speed Bid...

Bill Coppinger — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 15:38:06 GMT

The Age newspaper's Michelle Grattan reports today that TELSTRA is preparing a "show stopper" for investors on Friday, revealing that its ...

State Parliament Report Now Avaialble

Bill Coppinger — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 00:25:30 GMT

On 3 June 2003, the Rural and Regional Services and Development Committee of the Parliament of Victoria received terms of reference to inquire into ...

State Parliament recommendations for Telecommunications

Bill Coppinger — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 00:06:04 GMT

The Parliamentary Rural and Regional Services and Development Committee has released its final report into the quality and supply of telecommunications services in rural and regional Victoria and the implications for Victorian businesses.

List of Recommendations

Recommendation 1: That the State Government urge the Commonwealth Government to retain Telstra in majority public ownership.

Recommendation 2: That the State Government urge the Commonwealth Government to ensure that Telstra’s wholesale and retail arms are fully separated businesses with unique board membership.

Recommendation 3: That the State Government urge the Commonwealth Government to ensure that the ACCC has the capacity to play a more proactive role in putting a stop to predatory behaviour in the communications industry, because of the grave threat that behaviour would pose to the establishment of competition in the communications industry.

Recommendation 4: That the State Government supports the ongoing review of procedures and processes of the ACCC and Australian Competition Tribunal to ensure that competition disputes are resolved as quickly as possible.

Recommendation 5: That the State Government urge the Commonwealth Government to ensure that as part of their licensing conditions, telecommunications companies provide information about the cost of their backhaul infrastructure in order to make wholesale price structures more transparent and available, and to increase the possibility of access by other retailers.

Recommendation 6: That the State Government encourage the Commonwealth, through the ACMA, to move to ensure VoIP services are regulated to ensure – to the extent possible across the range of provider models – guaranteed access to emergency services, full number portability, and clear consumer information about quality of service standards and requirements.

Recommendation 7: That the State Government encourage the Commonwealth to legislate a minimum speed and performance definition for the use of the term "broadband". This should be in line with international standards.

Recommendation 8: That the State Government encourage the Commonwealth to require service providers to provide a standard set of information about each data service product offering to all consumers in advertising material by including average performance speeds for uploads and downloads and average latency for the service over the last year of service.

Recommendation 9: That the State Government, through Consumer Affairs Victoria, aggressively enforce proposed minium broadband definitions and quality of service information in ISP advertising.

Recommendation 10: That the State Government encourage the Commonwealth prevent ULLS price deaveraging until such time as the price differential for access to rural and regional infrastructure is significantly reduced.

Recommendation 11: That the State Government encourage the Commonwealth to resist calls for the regulatory exemption of new national networks in rural and regional areas.

Recommendation 12: That the State Government call on the Commonwealth Government to review current STD pricing to ensure rural and regional customers are afforded local call rate access to their nominated provincial city.

Recommendation 13: That the State Government encourage the Commonwealth to introduce a regular incremental increase in minimum data speeds under the Universal Service Obligation.

Recommendation 14: That the State Government encourage the Commonwealth to require carriers under the Customer Service Guarantee scheme to permit third-party fault reporting for rural and regional consumers.

Recommendation 15: That the State Government encourage the Commonwealth to require that service providers subject to the Customer Service Guarantee publish a quarterly report on performance in customer accounts.

Recommendation 16: That the State Government encourage the Commonwealth, through the ACMA, to expand service level reporting of mobile telephone phone network performance in the Customer Service Guarantee to the equivalent specificity of the PSTN. This data should be published in a quarterly report on performance in customer accounts.

Recommendation 17: That the State Government encourage the Commonwealth to undertake new pilot project to continue to explore a range of competitive USO provision models based on international best practice.

Recommendation 18: That the State Government encourage the Commonwealth to ensure: spending allocated through the new Broadband Connect program is sustained to the level indicated in 2005-6; each jurisdiction receives an equivalent share of funding based on their population size; and that remote users continue to receive a satellite subsidy where this represents the technology of last resort.

Recommendation 19: That the State Government encourage the Commonwealth to invest in systematic technology succession in rural and regional Australia to provide a competitive marketplace for high speed data and IP voice services for all Australians.

Recommendation 20: That the State Government encourage the Commonwealth to examine means by which demand register systems can be weighted to incorporate transient or seasonal demand.

Recommendation 21: That the State Government encourage the Commonwealth to require telecommunications carriers to release data on the location of technologies (such as RIMs and pair gains) that prevent supply of broadband services in rural and regional areas through PSTN.

Recommendation 22: That the State Government urge the spectrum regulator (ACMA) to require that purchased spectrum be used for the provision of services within a specified timeframe.

Recommendation 23: That the State Government encourage the Commonwealth to create a specific National Priority Area for regional telecommunications infrastructure under the Australian Research Council.

Recommendation 24: That the State Government amend those Acts which provide for access to utility infrastructure and easements. These amendments should normalise access by licensed telecommunications companies that have or propose co-location of infrastructure with the essential service provider and provide for a third party dispute mechanism as per the Pipelines Act 2005.

Recommendation 25: That the State Government undertake a systematic review of access provisions associated with State Government property, to facilitate reasonable, low cost, and secure access for the installation of new or expanded communications infrastructure.

Recommendation 26: That the State Government work closely with local government to ensure the development of appropriate telecommunications infrastructure in new property developments.

Recommendation 27: That the State Government investigate a partnership to examine the pre-provisioning of telecommunications infrastructure in new commercial and industrial estates in rural and regional Victoria.

Recommendation 28: That the State Government adopt the “deemed to comply” model for planning related to telecommunications facilities in areas of low sensitivity to visual amenity concerns (e.g. non-residential).

Recommendation 29: The State Government introduce modifications to the whole-of-state planning framework to encourage co-location of telecommunications cabling.

Recommendation 30: That the State Government conduct a systematic audit of current telecommunications capacity on all State and local government networks – including hospitals and State authorities – to identify underutilised capacity that can be offered to enhance the wholesale backhaul market.

Recommendation 31: That the State Government review future whole-of-government purchasing models with the objective of maximising investment in, and public access to, new telecommunications infrastructure by providers.

Recommendation 32: That State Government decision making processes take into consideration the value of aggregation of local community needs when establishing contracts with telecommunications providers in regional areas.

Recommendation 33: That the State Government explicitly tender for CAN Demonstrations Program projects that trial "next generation" technologies.

Recommendation 34: That the State Government facilitate a pilot under the CAN Demonstrations Project to provide high speed internet access and mobile phone coverage on a V/Line service to assess commuter interest.

Recommendation 35: That the State Government develop, in conjunction with key stakeholders, a set of regularly updated training and education tools aimed to increase business awareness of the range and capabilities of different broadband service offerings relevant to improving business productivity and effectiveness in a range of media forms.

Recommendation 36: That the State Government support accredited programs directed at small to medium enterprises to promote the application of computer and information technologies, including internet technologies, to business applications.

Recommendation 37: That the State Government develop an integrated parental broadband and internet education program for delivery in conjunction with the Access@school and SmartOne school broadband initiatives to increase community IT skills and consumer awareness of the range and capacity of competing telecommunications services.

Recommendation 38: That the State Government continue to provide funds to local Community Houses and other Adult and Community Education providers in rural areas specifically to provide courses on Information and Communications Technologies.

Recommendation 39: That the State Government introduce a program based on the UK’s Content Commissioning Fund, with rural and regional small and medium sized enterprises in specified industries provided with resources to develop broadband applications for their businesses, and to increase local content on the internet.

Recommendation 40: That the State Government ensure that all government departments and agencies in Victoria provide all relevant information and services online in order to encourage use of the internet.

Recommendation 41: That State Government recognise the current limitations on speed of internet connections in many rural areas and ensure that in providing online information and publications, government departments always provided a dial-up suitable option to enable access and easier download for customers with low connection speeds.

Recommendation 42: That the State Government actively embrace tele- and videoconferencing for its own operations particularly between district offices, regional departments, and central management to improve efficiency of operations in communication in both time and financial costs.

Recommendation 43: That all State Government and Parliamentary Business Units and Agencies provide and promote telephone access via a toll-free or local call rate telephone number.

Recommendation 44: That the State Government work with peak organisations for local government, to develop a model of best practice telecommunications management and advocacy for local government.

Recommendation 45: That the State Government work with peak organisations for local government in Victoria to review the performance of Municipal wireless networking initiatives, such as those in the United States, to assess the value of these initiatives in the economic and social life of local communities.

Recommendation 46: That the State Government support, through appropriate funding mechanisms, local initiatives that seek to improve the quality and coverage of local internet services.

Recommendation 47: That the State Government encourage the Commonwealth to provide funding to support the role of local government in disseminating information about communications to local communities, aggregating demand in those communities, and determining community infrastructure and service needs.

For more information please contact

Lilian Topic

Executive Officer

RRSDC

Clever Networks calls for submissions

Bill Coppinger — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 20:07:15 GMT

On 31 August 2006, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator the Hon Helen Coonan, released the Clever Networks ...

Telstra cuts Broadband Plans

Bill Coppinger — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 16:03:20 GMT

Regular readers and subscribers to the CRLLEN website will be aware of the work the association has been doing to improve and broaden access to ...

Seymour Meeting Scheduled

Bill Coppinger — Tue, 23 May 2006 22:20:34 GMT

The communities of the Mitchell, Murrindindi and Macedon Ranges shires have registered strong demand for broadband following a recent survey. ...

A National Plan for Broadband

Bill Coppinger — Tue, 23 May 2006 03:15:06 GMT

According to the Australian Broadband Portal Web Site Whirlpool , Senator Helen Coonan has called for a rethink of federal Government broadband ...

Community Meeting Underway

Bill Coppinger — Sun, 14 May 2006 23:25:30 GMT

Community consultations are now well underway across the region, with YEA hosting the most recent meeting late last week. ...

Community Survey Guides Planning.

Bill Coppinger — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 00:28:38 GMT

Broadband Broker, Gary Sheridan said the survey undertaken over the last six months showed strong unmet demand for broadband services in this region. ...

Community Planning Gains Momentum

Bill Coppinger — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 00:23:34 GMT

The Demand Survey has shown a very strong unmet demand for Broadband Services in the region, with more than 1,000 responses received and entered into a database, or Demand Register.

The ‘Central Ranges’ region covers the shires of Macedon, Mitchell and Murrindindi in Victoria, with over 30 towns supporting a population of approximately 80,000 people and 3000+ small to medium businesses.

The demand survey was launched at the Mitchell Shire Council Offices on 26 October 2005, a media strategy was put into place to highlight the project and to gain as much feedback and response as possible.

A registration of interest form was developed and mailed with an explanatory letter to all businesses, business groups, interest groups and community groups in the region, and posted on the three Council websites and our dedicated website coordinated by the Central Ranges Local Learning and Employment Network.

The demand survey was advertised in all local newspapers and community newsletters across the shires and the registration of interest survey form was widely distributed at community centres, general stores, and other identifiable meeting places.

Various schools, welfare groups, local government agencies, forums and other community centres across the region were also visited to educate communities of the benefits of broadband, in addition to the media campaign publicising the benefits of broadband.

The Central Ranges LLEN emailed details of the demand survey to all schools in the area, requesting that the project be publicised in all school newsletters, and ran a competition, offering people who registered interest in the survey the chance to win an Apple iPod (provided by the Central Ranges LLEN) to further publicise and bring the project to people’s attention.

The 1,000 survey responses received across the three shires have been collated into a database (Demand Register) which will be used to build business cases for the supply of broadband services to the region.

CallPoint, a mapping company, was commissioned to prepare a report pictorially representing the results of the demand survey and the location of existing telecommunications infrastructure across the region. The report will also show the take up of broadband over a period of time. [Ed: This is an extremely detailed and highly useful tool for all communities and Local Governments]

A supply capability study was also undertaken with all telecommunications carriers with infrastructure in the region asked about their capacity to supply broadband services. In addition the carriers were also asked about their ability to supply services upon demand. Most sought specific information on demand which was not available prior to the demand survey, and only provided general information rather than provide specific details about service capabilities.

An expression of Interest has been called for to determine service capability. This Expression of Interest was advertised in early February, and evaluated late February, with a view to developing implementation plans for some initial community centres in March and April 2006

A number of twon and community meetings are being planned and scheduled during April and May.

Results of Demand Survey: The Demand Register

Details of the type of demand, and strength of demand across the shires, and in specific communities can be seen here.

Macedon Ranges Shire received 441 responses to the survey,

Murrindindi Shire received 366 responses to the survey, and

Mitchell Shire received 178 responses to the survey.

A number of other responses were received from outside the survey area.

Those on the fringes of the region, such as responses from Drummond and Mangalore, will be included within any business plans developed for the adjoining areas.

Those responses received from people living some distance from the region, who perhaps plan to move here, will be contacted to discuss opportunities, as circumstances permit.

Planning and work with potential service porviders is well underway.

For further details and updates, please review this web site regularly or contact the Boradband Broker, Gary Sheridan on 0427 802 338 or via email at broker@centralrangesllen.org.au.

Strong Demand for Broadband!

Bill Coppinger — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 22:33:49 GMT

STRONG DEMAND FOR BROADBAND The communities of the Mitchell, Murrindindi and Macedon Ranges shires have registered strong demand for broadband ...

Broadband Connect and Clever Networks

Bill Coppinger — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 21:50:13 GMT

Comments were sought from the telecommunications industry, interested stakeholders and the public on how the Broadband Connect and Clever Networks ...

Broadband Demand Survey Due

Bill Coppinger — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 23:51:58 GMT

Thanks to everyone who completed the broadband Demand Survey, and registered their interest in obtaining broadband. ...

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Bill Coppinger — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 23:04:13 GMT

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST SUPPLY OF BROADBAND SERVICES TO AREAS IN CENTRAL RANGES REGION The Macedon Ranges Shire Council Broadband Broker Project is ...

iPod Winner Announced!

Bill Coppinger — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 18:40:07 GMT

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ! ! KERRY BAKER of RIDDELLS CREEK! You have WON the APPLE VIDEO iPod! Have your say on access to Broadband! ...

Optus proposes joint fibre network with Telstra

Bill Coppinger — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 15:16:19 GMT

Optus CEO Paul O'Sullivan has proposed that Telstra and Optus should build a jointly funded hybrid fibre/ADSL network, which would have greater reach than Telstra's proposed network.

Speaking at the Trans Tasman Business Circle, Mr O'Sullivan said Australia was at a "moment of truth" in telecommunications.

"We have two roads before us. There is the low road, which involves massive expense and delay - as Telstra tries to avoid its legal obligations and as we use every possible legal and regulatory avenue to drag Telstra kicking and screaming to the table.

"And there is the high road, in which we work cooperatively to deliver Australia the upgraded, world class broadband infrastructure it so desperately needs," he said.

O'Sullivan said he had privately written to Telstra CEO Solomon Trujillo proposing the plan and received a reply dated 17th October that Telstra had no intention of building a fibre to the node network. Less than a month later, Trujillo announced that Telstra was ready to build a fibre network, but only if competitors were locked out.

During the speech, O'Sullivan repeatedly poked fun at Telstra's American management team, calling them "middle aged backpackers" who were bound to finish their stint down under with "bloodied noses".

He also likened the current scenario to the airline industry, alluding to the way Qantas' competitors, at times, had great difficulty getting access to airline terminals to allow passengers to disembark.

O'Sullivan's words come as Telstra reiterated its desire for regulatory relief on its fibre to the node proposal. In a briefing to investors today, Telstra Group Managing Director, Public Policy and Communications, Phil Burgess said that Telstra would need "legislative reforms" before it could implement the proposed network upgrade.