CTN WebNews Edition #249
Monday, 1 June, 2009 _________
CTN advocates on behalf of residential consumers of telecommunications in the development of national telecommunications policy.
Our website is www.ctn.org.au
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CONTENTS
1. Hot Topic on the CTN Website: CTN publications survey coming soon 2. Inquiry into Cyber Crime 3. Fibre in greenfield estates 4. Competition Tribunal requires Telstra to provide network access to Optus 5. ACCC not to oppose proposed merger of Vodafone and Hutchison 6. NBN could cost taxpayers $11 billion 7. Hacker reverse-engineered ACMA blacklist 8. Optus admits false broadband advertising 9. It's out with the old as Telstra gives pips the flick 10. Look out Outlook, Google's Wave is coming to swamp you 11. ASIO bugs 3000 calls a year 12. Centrelink goes biometric 13. OLPC Australia uses education to help remote communities 14. Pentagon Plans New Arm to Wage Wars in Cyberspace 15. Yet another open mobile body 16. Hi-tech aims to improve lifestyle 17. AT&T May Have Swayed 'Idol' Results 18. Leading Africans to Responsible Recycling 19. Conferences and Events
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1. Hot Topic on the CTN Website: CTN publications survey coming soon
CTN will soon be transitioning to the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). We will shortly be seeking your views on various CTN publications, including WebNews which will cease in a couple of weeks time. We look forward to getting your feedback.
Go to: http://www.ctn.org.au/content.cfm
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2. Inquiry into Cyber Crime
On Wednesday, 13 May 2009, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, asked the Committee to inquire into and report on the nature and incidence of cyber crime in Australia. The Committee invites interested persons and organisations to make submissions addressing the terms of reference by Friday, 26 June 2009.
Go to: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/coms/cybercrime/index.htm
See also: Cyber-bullying is back in the spotlight. Earlier this month the federal government announced it had established a Youth Advisory Group, consisting of young Australians, to advise it on cyber-bullying and other online issues.
Go to: http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/biztech/is-cyberbullying-a-crime/2009/05/21/1242498854929.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
And also: Victorian police are investigating a massive identity fraud involving the personal details of thousands of Australians that have been available on a blog site for more than a month.
Go to: http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25555095-15306,00.html
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3. Fibre in greenfield estates
As part of its National Broadband Network initiative, the Government has announced that the use of fibre optic technology will be required in greenfield estates. The Government has released a stakeholder consultation paper on the implementation of its fibre in greenfields initiative. Submissions are due by 5:00pm (AEST) Friday 12 June 2009.
Go to: http://www.dbcde.gov.au/communications/national_broadband_network/fibre_in_greenfield_estates_and_fibre_roll-out
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4. Competition Tribunal requires Telstra to provide network access to Optus
Telstra has an ongoing obligation to provide Optus with regulated access to its copper network in all areas of Australia, following a decision by the Australian Competition Tribunal. The Tribunal has rejected Telstra's exemption application to restrict regulated access for Optus in areas where Optus has its Hybrid Fibre Coaxial cable network. The Tribunal was not satisfied that Telstra's application was likely to promote competition or economic efficiency. This affirms the November 2008 decision by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Go to: http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/873667
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5. ACCC not to oppose proposed merger of Vodafone and Hutchison
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will not oppose the proposed merger of Vodafone and Hutchison’s Australian mobile operations, after concluding that it is unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the relevant markets.
Go to: http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/874495
See also: Mobile telcos Vodafone and Hutchison (3 Mobile) today pledged to maintain their voice and data plans for two years to reassure customers their proposed merger wouldn't negatively impact the value they were delivering.
Go to: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Voda-Hutch-plans-to-stay-post-merger/0,130061791,339296616,00.htm?ocid=nl_TNB_26052009_fea_l1
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6. NBN could cost taxpayers $11 billion
Minister for Communications Stephen Conroy today told the Senate Estimates hearing that the government would foot $11 billion of its $43 billion NBN proposal, but admitted its implementation study would determine private sector investment.
Go to: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/NBN-could-cost-taxpayers-11-billion-/0,130061791,339296644,00.htm?ocid=nl_TNB_27052009_fea_l3
See also: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warned that governments need to weigh up investment in telecommunications infrastructure, which the opposition has used to pressure the Federal Government to conduct a cost-benefit analysis on its $43 billion NBN proposal.
Go to: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/OECD-calls-for-broadband-cost-benefit-analysis/0,130061791,339296640,00.htm?ocid=nl_TNB_27052009_fea_l4
And also: BBC reporters around the world detail the state of broadband in their countries and how it is being used.
Go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/sci_tech/2009/broadband_world/default.stm
_________ 7. Hacker reverse-engineered ACMA blacklist
An Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) executive has told a Senate Estimates hearing that the alleged leak of its blacklist in March was the result of a hacker 'reverse engineering' the filters used by a 'Family Friendly' ISP.
Go to: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Hacker-reverse-engineered-ACMA-blacklist/0,130061791,339296660,00.htm?ocid=nl_TNB_28052009_fea_l3 See also: The Australian Christian Lobby has accused the Federal Government of breaking its election promise to censor the internet after the policy was softened in the face of relentless criticism.
Go to: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/05/27/1243103585180.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 _________
8. Optus admits false broadband advertising
Optus has been slashing broadband speeds to half the level advertised for customers who exceed their monthly download allowance.
Go to: http://www.theage.com.au/news/home/technology/optus-admits-false-broadband-advertising/2009/05/26/1243103530414.html _________
9. It's out with the old as Telstra gives pips the flick
Time's up for the pips. This week, after 53 years, Telstra will begin switching off the five-beep signal heard at the start of STD and international calls. The tone was introduced in 1956 on trunk calls to warn phone users they were making a timed, long-distance call. Telstra says they are no longer compatible with its technology. It has already been phased out for some customers.
Go to: http://www.smh.com.au/national/its-out-with-the-old-as-telstra-gives-pips-the-flick-20090531-brqm.html
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10. Look out Outlook, Google's Wave is coming to swamp you
Google co-founder Sergey Brin has put his reputation behind a project launched today by a team from Google Australia which seeks to overthrow email as the dominant mode of internet communication and replace it with a new hybrid. Go to: http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/web/2009/05/29/1243456712775.html
See also: The local versions of Microsoft's latest crack at Google, a new search engine called Bing, will go live in Australia and New Zealand on Wednesday in beta form.
Go to: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/soa/Bing-to-hit-Australia-next-Wednesday/0,130061733,339296706,00.htm _________
11. ASIO bugs 3000 calls a year
Australian authorities, including the spy agency ASIO, are bugging the telephones of Australian citizens at a rate of more than 20 times their US counterparts. Figures cited in a federal parliamentary estimates hearing this week revealed that about 3000 Australians had their phone calls intercepted every year. Greens senator Scott Ludlam told the committee there was something 'rather peculiar happening in Australia'. Go to: http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25555119-15306,00.html
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12. Centrelink goes biometric
Centrelink has flicked the switch on a biometric voice authentication system that will be used to identify and manage select clients, replacing the welfare agency's dated PIN and password-based system.
Go to: http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25538088-15306,00.html
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13. OLPC Australia uses education to help remote communities Charitable organisation One Laptop per Child (OLPC) Australia, has formally launched the first deployments of laptops to children in remote Australia and announced plans for the next deployments to be carried out in the Northern Territory and Queensland. The launch ceremony was held today at Shepherdson College on Elcho Island, Northern Territory (NT), one of the first three schools to be involved in the program designed to help primary school-aged children in remote communities open a window to the world. The other two schools are Rawa Community School in Western Australia (WA) and Newcastle Waters in NT.
Go to: http://www.laptop.org.au/news/27May09.shtml
_________ 14. Pentagon Plans New Arm to Wage Wars in Cyberspace
The Pentagon plans to create a new military command for cyberspace, administration officials said Thursday, stepping up preparations by the armed forces to conduct both offensive and defensive computer warfare. The military command would complement a civilian effort to be announced by President Obama on Friday that would overhaul the way the United States safeguards its computer networks.
Go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/29/us/politics/29cyber.html?_r=1&ref=global-home
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15. Yet another open mobile body
We've had LiMo to promote open source Linux mobile platforms; we've had the Open Mobile Alliance to promote the Android open mobile platform and we've had Symbian being made into an open mobile platform. Now, welcome the Open Mobile Consortium, but its goals are rather different. The Open Mobile Consortium (http://www.open-mobile.org ) is an organisation whose goals are primarily humanitarian. It aims to develop and promote open source mobile software tools that will 'help organisations to better serve the health, humanitarian aid development needs of the 'bottom billion' the poorest and most disenfranchised citizens of the world.'
Go to: http://www.itwire.com/content/view/25262/127/ _________
16. Hi-tech aims to improve lifestyle
Facebook, mobile phones, and energy meters are helping to see if people can be nudged into living healthier lives. The three-year project will see how people react when data is fed back to them about their energy use and activity levels.
Go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8062327.stm
See also: They do it late at night when their parents are asleep. They do it in restaurants and while crossing busy streets. They do it in the classroom with their hands behind their back. They do it so much their thumbs hurt. Spurred by the unlimited texting plans offered by carriers like AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless, American teenagers sent and received an average of 2,272 text messages per month in the fourth quarter of 2008, according to the Nielsen Company - almost 80 messages a day, more than double the average of a year earlier.
Go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/health/26teen.html?_r=1&em
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17. AT&T May Have Swayed 'Idol' Results AT&T, one of the biggest corporate sponsors of 'American Idol,' might have influenced the outcome of this year’s competition by providing phones for free text-messaging services and lessons in casting blocks of votes at parties organized by fans of Kris Allen, the Arkansas singer who was the winner of the show last week. Go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/business/media/27idol.html?_r=1&ref=technology
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18. Leading Africans to Responsible Recycling
Backyard recyclers of electronics waste in developing countries use open fires and chemicals to extract precious metals, then dump the hazardous byproducts. Using no safety precautions, they expose themselves, their neighbors and their local environment to lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flame retardants that can damage almost every organ and system in the human body.
Go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/25/business/energy-environment/25iht-rbogafrica.html?ref=africa
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19. Conferences and Events
Contribute to the ISP eSecurity Code - June 10, Sydney
In association with the Australian Government's National E-security awareness Week, the Internet Industry Association is pleased to invite you to an industry workshop to help shape our thinking in this important area of internet security - and contribute to a safer internet in Australia.
Date: Wednesday 10th June 2009 Venue: The Hilton Hotel, 488 George Street , Sydney, NSW 2000 Time: 9:00am -12:00pm RSVP: emelia@iia.net.au or (02) 6232 6900
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Telecommunications Consumer Group SA Seminar - June 17, Adelaide
The Telecommunications Consumer Group SA Inc and CTN are pleased to present a free Seminar in Adelaide ‘Mobile Mayhem'. Issues for discussion include: Mobile Premium Services Unexpected charges from downloads Where to next with Mobile Telephony Where: 'Pilgrim Centre' behind Pilgrim Church 12 Flinders Street, City When: Wednesday 17th June 2009 Time: 5:30 pm. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be provided. Invite your family, friends and work colleagues. An hour's time could save you heaps of time and money. Please register with Ian Butterworth on 8387 9554 or ian67@bigpond.net.au
Go to: www.tcg.asn.au
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2009 AFCCRA Conference
The 2009 AFCCRA Conference will be held in Melbourne at Rydges Hotel, 186 Exhibition Street. AFCCRA's annual conference is held in conjunction with the External Disputes Resolution Schemes' annual forum for consumer representatives. The External Disputes Resolution Forum will be held on Tuesday 28 July 2009, followed by the AFCCRA Conference on Wednesday 29 July and the AFCCRA Financial Literacy and Inclusion Forum on Thursday 30 July. Programs for the three days are being drafted and will be available soon.
Go to: http://www.afccra.org/conferences.htm
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ACCC Regulatory Conference - 30 - 31 July 2009
The tenth ACCC Regulatory Conference will be held on Thursday 30th and Friday 31st July 2009 at the Holiday Inn, Gold Coast, Queensland Australia. The theme for the conference is the Regulation of Infrastructure in a Time of Transition.
Go to: http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/861204
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Hearing Awareness Week 2009 Sunday 23 August - Saturday 29 August 2009
Theme: At home At work At play - One in Six. One in six Australians suffer from some form of hearing loss. Where: Events such as hearing screening and information days held around the country. Check website for calendar of events in your area. Free posters for the week will be available from the national secretariat in late May. To place your order for posters please contact Deafness Forum at info@deafnessforum.org.au Deafness Forum is the National coordinating body for Hearing Awareness Week
Go to: www.hearingawarenessweek.org.au _________
Communications Policy & Research Forum 2009 - 19 - 20 November 2009
Interest areas include ICT, digital media, telecommunications broadcasting, communications culture, Internet and e-commerce. It is a research-oriented forum open to all viewpoints; a co-operative effort by policy and research centres. It is also a national meeting-place for researchers in all sectors. The deadline for submitting proposals and abstracts is Friday 26 June 2009.
Go to: http://www.networkinsight.org/events/cprf09.html/group/6 _________ CTN Consumer Advocacy Calendar
The events above are just some of the events included in the CTN Consumer Advocacy Calendar. The CTN Consumer Advocacy Calendar is designed to help interested parties keep track of events hosted by consumer groups, community organisations, government departments, telecommunications companies and CTN Members.
To view the CTN Consumer Advocacy Calendar go to: http://www.ctn.org.au/content.cfm?ContentType=Content&ContentID=397 _________
We hope that this edition of WebNews has been of interest. Although we take care to direct subscribers to sites with accurate and reliable content, we advise that CTN is not responsible for the content within external sites and has no control over the views, services or information contained in these sites. Information contained on external sites may not necessarily reflect the policy, standards or beliefs of CTN.
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Warm regards and best of luck with the week ahead.
The Consumers' Telecommunications Network Unit 2, 524-532 Parramatta Road Petersham NSW 2049 Tel: (02) 9572 6007 Fax: (02) 9572-6014 TTY: (02) 9572-6047 www.ctn.org.au
The Consumers' Telecommunications Network representation of residential and other consumers' interests in relation to telecommunications issues is supported by the Commonwealth through the Grants to fund Telecommunications Consumer Representations' program of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
