Forget fixed wireless, NBN should go mobile, says VodafoneAustralia’s third biggest telco has kicked off a campaign for NBN mobile service, as the government mulls over mobile coverage in regional areas.
Oonagh Reidy
4K, “Faster 4G”: Is This LG’s Smartphone Weapon?
Phone maker ups ante 4K video, faster 4G, eye-popping graphics on Snapdragon 800 processor.
![]() |
Higher speeds with Krait 400 CPUs in quad configuration to deliver greater processing and communication performance;
. Enhanced aSMP (asynchronous Symmetric Multiprocessing) architecture for dynamic power sensing and control for peak performance per core and improved battery life without the use of specialized cores;
OZ Internet SLOWER Than Brazil
The NBN is critical for Pay TV to survive, as current web speeds are not up to scratch.
![]() Click to enlarge |
And Australia’s broadband speeds are currently slower than developing nation Brazil, a top NBCUniversal exec has warned.
Speaking at the Astra Pay TV conference in Sydney yesterday, Kevin MacLellan , President International TV for NBCUniversal (behind channels like NBC News, CNBC, E!, Bravo) warned Australia will be left behind if it doesn’t adopt the controversial $36bn high speed broadband network.
“NBN is a good thing for Pay TV as a whole” he declared.
Fast broadband helps “upstarts” like Facebook, YouTube and Google happen and facilitates consumers who want to download movies and other content quickly.
“If the NBN is going to be as fast as it says then interesting times ahead,” he added.
However, slow broadband speeds are holding Australia back, with the international boss at NBCUniversal noting web speeds were faster in Rio, where he was recently on a business trip, than Sydney.
This is nothing to be laughed at considering Brazils ‘developing’ country status compared to Australia’s as ‘first world’ nation.
“Bandwidth is changing the landscape delivering education, information and communication tools,” he added.
MacLellan also reckons the proposed Austar/Foxtel merger, which the competition watchdog is due to make its final decision on next week, will also be a good thing for subscription viewers as it will drive competition.
He described the deal as a “monumental moment” in Oz TV industry.
“There is still opportunity for pay TV penetration growth” MacLellan believes, despite the fact both Foxtel and Austar numbers have dwindled in recent quarters.
Regional player Austar, which Foxtel is about to acquire, lost 8,845 viewers in the past year, while over at the biggest pay TV operator, flat growth of just 2.1% was announced in February.
The NBCUniversal boss also made comparisons with the Aussie and US TV markets and spoke of his previous employer Comcast, who was ten years ago No.5 cable provider in the US and “struggling.”
“Some people [at the time] thought cable was dead,” he added.
However in the 11 years since then Comcast is now the largest media company in the world with $61 billion revenue (and market cap of $80bn).
How?
Comcast achieved this through the acquisition of broadband provider NBCUniversal, and was then able to offer “treble play” with subscription TV, broadband and phone services.
Comcast is now the largest Pay TV, broadband and also a major phone supplier in the US, which is no mean feat.
Regional Pay TV operator Austar’s 755,374 subscribers plus Foxtel’s 1.58 million, means a newly formed Pay TV operator will have just under 2.5m subscribers here.
And with 50% of Foxtel owned by Telstra this is precisely what the ACCC is fearing will happen in an Austar owned Foxtel world – that the media behemoth will have a monopoly on broadband services in some regional areas of Australia.
Read: Why ACCC Fears Foxtel
“It remains a tough environment in which to win new customers” Richard Freudenstein, Foxtel CEO said last month although appeared optimistic for enormous growth potential if the $2.5bn deal to buy Austar comes to pass.
And with rivals from Internet TV (IPTV) providers like FetchTV, Telstra, Apple TV, as well as content from TV makers like Panasonic and Samsung and free-to-air, Foxtel will have its work cut out.
But clearly Freudenstein and his troops are hoping Comcast’s story in the States will be repeated at Foxtel HQ.
But the ACCC must approve the deal first.
A decision by the competition watchdog will be handed down March 27.
IPTV ‘Massive Growth’, Bundles War 2013
As Samsung announced its Yahoo IPTV deal and Foxtel Boots up its Internet TV service, the Internet telly wars have officially kicked off.
And there’s no better time as DVD stores seems to be fading away from relevance to the web savvy Aussies.
Scott Lorsen, the CEO of IPTV providers FetchTV, says the “new wave of Internet based services such as FetchTV, Apple TV and Telstra T-Box are true substitutes for the video store.”
And he predicts 2013 is going to be a massive year of growth for online TV, and “far more aggressive bundling strategies from telcos” as Telstra looks to increase its penetration of T-Box and Foxtel, while Optus and iiNet bundle FetchTV with its Internet/phone services.
Conversion rates (to FetchTV) are around 100%, meaning once users convert to online rentals there is little or no going back to old ways of consuming content, says Fetch’s CEO.
“If you’d asked me a year ago, I would have said the demise of the video store was overstated, but now we’ve reached tipping point,” he told SmartHouse.
People are now talking about these new IPTV service more and penetration accelerates, especially around the holidays and BBQ seasons as people are exposed to new TV services in homes.
Although not releasing exact subscriber numbers, Foxtel said growth was “subdued” last month and has been busy releasing a slew of Internet TV services for Samsung TVs, iPhone and iPad, and also added the interactive social media app zeebox for viewers, which Channel Ten already has, and Nine and Seven also have pursued social TV apps.
“We continue to deliver to our customers and look forward to bringing many more devices and features online in 2013”, the Pay TV giant’s General Manager of Emerging Platforms, Kym Niblock said last week, and alluded to multi-screening becoming “the new ‘normal.”
And speaking of free-to-airs, last week Yahoo7 announced PLUS7 catch-up TV service exclusively on Samsung devices where Seven shows can be watched 24 hours after live broadcast.
Foxtel is also planning to launch an enhanced version of Foxtel TV Guide, as it seeks to increase the services for subscribers to multi screens.
Foxtel was not available for comment at the time of writing.
Like Foxtel, Lorsen, would not not reveal exact subscriber numbers for the Oz-based FetchTV, but told SmartHouse growth is “very healthy – averaging 3.4-4 movie rentals from its on-demand service per week, identical to video store rentals.
Although Optus, iiNet andAdam are the only telco’s currently offering Fetch service, provider expansion could soon be forthcoming, Lorsen hinted.
“Our stated desire is to include all non-Telstra players and we have had discussions with all of them,” he said.
He also predicts the bundling of TV, Internet and phone services to become more commonplace, as “people prefer one bill.”
“The battleground has shifted from a broadband led offer to a IPTV led one. Bundling also means cutting cost of the service compared to having 3-4 separate providers,” he says.
Bundling is more efficient and lower prices compared to 3 or 4 separate providers.
Its All Clear: Asus Debuts 12.1″ Windows 7 Tab High Spec Display
Oh my, Asus. Just when we thought we had seen it all they have come back to surprise us with a new tab running Windows 7 and Intel Core i5 U470 processor inside at Computex this week.
![]() Click to enlarge |
| Image: Geek With Laptop |
However, its 12.1 inch touch display uses an EFS matrix panel, which are usually used on LCD TVs which is said to give crystal clear screen quality and allow for better viewing angles without the ghosting effect.
The thin device (17mm thick) looks very much like its sister device, the Eee Transformer Pad just released here, according to an Asus rep at Computex, currently in full swing in Taipei.
However, it weights more than most would like, 1.14kg, although it is marketed as a business tab.
Specs wise it also boasts 4GB memory, mini HDMI, 2USB ports, card reader, dual speakers (located on either side) and a stylus pen which slots in beneath the screen.
And battery wise, it’s not bad either promising 4-5 hours life running on 34 Wh Li-Ion battery and its Core i5 U470 1.33 GHz is said to be ultra energy efficient processor built specially for mobile devices.
Asus also announced a Eee Pad MeMO 3D tablet at Computex, more on that later.
Telstra: We’re No Data Snoopers
Telco confirms it has ceased giving user information to US company.
![]() Click to enlarge |
Telstra went on a PR offensive after revelations it gave NextG mobile customer web usage information to a US company, yesterday .
“Customers’ trust is the most important thing to us, so upon hearing concerns about the development of our new cyber-safety product we have stopped all collection of website addresses for its development,” Danielle Clarke, Telstra’s Head of Online and Social Media, wrote on a blog.
Telstra insisted the web addresses were being collected in order to develop a “new cyber-safety tool” which would help adults choose the websites kids can access on mobiles.
The telco insisted “we needed to classify internet sites, based on the content they hold.”
However, Telstra insisted no other user personal user data other than web usage was given to the US company.
There was outrage among Telstra users over fears of a lack of cyber security on Next G and Clark confirmed a “number of our customers have contacted us over the past 24 hours about network activities.”
“I want to reassure all our customers that at no point in the development of this product was personal information collected or stored and we’ll be reviewing what we learned from this project.
“We understand our customers’ concerns about protecting their privacy online and are serious about keeping trust on this front by being transparent about the way we deal with customer data, ” Clark said.
BlackBerry 7 Fights Back With ‘Free Calls’
BlackBerry is back, looking to lure users with free calls on BBM 7, announced overnight.
BlackBerry launched Messenger (BBM) 7 overnight, offering BBM Voice – free VoIP calls to BBM contacts – anywhere in the world via Wi-Fi.
The free update to BBM 7 is available for all phones on BlackBerry 6 OS or higher.
BlackBerry Messenger in the past was a major pull for consumers, particularly the youth market in the UK and US who didn’t have to pay for messages to other BBM contacts, before the likes of Whats App and Viper came into play.
Other features on BBM7 include: multi-tasking with split-screen – BBM users can talk, check other BBM text chats, emails, or navigate to other apps while on a BBM voice call.
BBM 7 also has a visual indicator which tells them which contacts are available for a voice call – like Skype – and 16 new emoticons, similar to Whats App.
BlackBerry has also made ID Synchronisation easier and a users BBM profile, groups and contacts are now linked to their BBID for easy backup and restore.
Early Beta testers said “The voice feature [on BBM 7] is easy to use and the audio quality is excellent” and over 80% of testers said that they were likely to recommend BBM 7 version.
T.A. McCann, Vice President of BBM sais the struggling maker is taking BBM “to the next level.”
“BBM began as a convenient and effective business messaging tool, and today it is an essential part of daily communications for customers around the world. Now, with BBM version 7, customers have a new option: they can text and talk with their BBM contacts near and far, for free.
BBM 7 with BBM Voice is now available for all BlackBerrys running on BB OS 6 or higher but says it plans to support BlackBerry 5 OS early next year.
The BBM 7 software update can be downloaded for free at appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/3729/.
Hello Siri: iPhone BFF Knocks But Where’s iPhone 5?
As disappointment about the missing iPhone 5 rings, fear not. iPhone 4S has brought along Siri, the ” intelligent assistant that helps you get things done”… just by asking.
![]() Click to enlarge |
Siri is an understanding friend to iPhoners and gets “context allowing you to speak naturally when you ask it questions,” Apple declared today.
Siri will also listen to your problems. For example, if you ask “Will I need an umbrella this weekend?” the clever PA understands you are looking for a weather forecast.
But Siri is also discreet and smart about using your personal information you give her access to, insist her makers.
And what’s more, the assistant will be available in beta on iPhone 4S in English and localised for US, UK and Australia. (Does that mean she will say G’Day?).
But, take note, the onhand assistant also knows your location and every move, but will help you find nice restaurant, movie house or nearby events.
Cupertino acquired Siri last year for $200m, which Steve Jobs described as “artifical intelligence.”
“Siri helps you make calls, send text messages or email, schedule meetings and reminders, make notes, search the Internet, find local businesses, get directions and more. You can also get answers, find facts and even perform complex calculations just by asking.”
“There’s so much you can ask. Compose and dictate emails, ask questions about the weather, stocks, set timers. It’s not perfect, but there’s a huge amount it can do,” declared Scott Forstall,, Apple head of iOS at the US launch yesterday.
Ok, enough about Siri. Where’s iPhone 5? Nowhere to be seen, to the disappointment of millions.
Read OZ Consumers & Analysts Not Impressed By New iPhone 4S Here
But wait.
The new iPhone 4S is “entirely new on the inside,” Cupertino insist at what was classed as a “dud” event in California.
Suri and the new iCloud were seen as mere distractions to the clear absense of a spanking new hero handset.
Industry watchers and Apple fans alike were hotly anticipating the release of a span new 5th generation Apple handset to wow them into 2012.
Read Apple Launch Upgraded iPhone 4 No iPhone 5 Here
So, what’s so new about this iPhone 4S? 8 megapixel camera sensor, which is 33% faster at taking photos, full 1080p HD video, new antenna system, faster download and upload speeds to 14.4Mbps and 5.8Mbps, respectively, thanks to dual core A5 chip, and is now a ‘world’ phone, able to handle both GSM and CDMA networks, giving Apple a massive foothold in the Chinese market.
Other extras include iMessage, service that lets you send texts messages, photo and video messages and iCloud storage.
4S is also running iOS 5, which has 200 new features and will be available as a free software update for iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS holders.
iPhone 4S comes in either black or white and will be sold here from October 14 for AUD$799 for the 16GB model, $899 for the 32GB and $999 for the new 64GB handset, in what is being called one of the fastest rollout’s ever.
iPhone 4 price is also being trimmed, available for “just” AU$679, while iPhone 3GS will now sell for $449.
Mon Dieu! French Rockets NBN Satellite
Rockets in France to propel NBN satellites into orbit, bringing high speed Internet to the outback
![]() |
NBN Co is to hook up with Arianespace, the European satellite company, to propel NBN’s two Ka-band broadband satellites into space.
The contract, announced today by National Broadband Network chief Mike Quigley, is worth up to $300 million.
Minister for Broadband Stephen Conroy was also present at the announcement in NBN HQ in North Sydney.
The two purpose-built communications satellites under construction in California, will lift off via two 777 tonne Ariane 5 heavy-lift rockets which will deliver the payloads into geostationary orbit to serve Australia.
The launches will take place from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana, situated on the equator on the North Atlantic coast of South America in 2015.
The awarding of the contract followed “a comprehensive two-year procurement process” NBN Co stressed in a statement. The satellites will allow provide NBN high speed internet to up to 200,000 premises in remote Australia.
NBN Co is now planning to offer a faster speed tier on its fixed/ satellite of ‘up to’ 25 Mbps downloads and 5 Mbps uploads -four times higher than the downloads available on NBN Interim Satellite Service.
The faster Internet speeds will hit NBN’s wireless service as soon as June this year and satellite service when it launches in 2015.
NBN Co Chief Mike Quigley said: “The NBN satellite service is key to bridging the divide between the city and the bush.”
The faster broadband speeds will allow regional communities to work from home like they would from the office, access video-based health services and make high-quality video calls, he added.
Jean-Yves Le Gall, CEO of Arianespace “we are proud to be part of Australia’s National Broadband Network project that will help deliver much-needed high-speed broadband services to communities in regional and remote areas of this vast island continent.”
“Arianespace has led the launch services industry with many operational firsts and numerous recordsetting missions.”
Pumped Telcos Hop On Samsung S4 Wagon
Both Vodafone and Telstra today expressed their undying love for Samsung’s new S4 smartphone, revealed today in New York.
![]() |
Telstra got in first declaring the news via its Twitter account:
“Oh yeah! We’ll be offering the new #GalaxyS4! Pricing/availability will be confirmed closer to launch register here:http://www.telstra.com.au/s4”
Samsung’s 5 inch S4 phone, has been kitted out with a Full HD Screen, 4G, 13 MP camera and a slew of new software like S-Health, eye scroll and hover feature.
Read more about its S4 specs here:
Vodafone too breathed excitement on its Twitter page today asking: “Are you as pumped as we are about the announcement of the Samsung #GalaxyS4? Pre reg is now open!”
Earlier, Optus said it didn’t “have a link for GS4 specifically” and gave one Twitter enquirer a link to register interest in new phones, so it wasn’t clear if it would definitely carry the new device.
But since then it has confirmed they will be carrying the S4 via statement.
“Customers can register their interest at www.optus.com.au/smartphonealerts to get the latest updates on pricing and availability for the Samsung GALAXY S 4.”
E-tailer Kogan too is looking to lure smartphone buyers in promising “world’s best price” on Samsung Galaxy S4 and opened up an online Waiting List.
![]() |
![]() |
No pricing or other details are available yet but Samsung Australia did confirm the S4 would be here in second quarter, so thats April to June time frame.
And by the looks of things pricing will be competitve as all telcos look to nab Samsung fans.








