With more and more people taking up broadband services in Australia it has become increasingly important for companies to ensure that they have some sort of online presence in order to boost business and remain competitive. This is particularly important for small businesses, which are most at risk of folding unless they take measures to improve access to their services and products.

It was recently announced that around fifty thousand small businesses in Australia could benefit from a fund that has been created by the Rudd government that will allow them to create or improve their online presence, and these businesses could see a sharp rise in business as a result of this. At present there are ninety five percent of small businesses connected to the Internet, but only fifty seven percent of them have a website.

The initial amount that was put into the program by the Rudd Government was ten million dollars. However, it was later announced that this was being boosted by another four million dollars, bringing the total in the fund to fourteen million dollars. With the money from this fund many small businesses will be able to set up websites, upgrade existing websites, and generally benefit more from the National Broadband Network.

In particular it is tourism operators that are set to benefit from improving their online presence. The Small Business Minister Craig Emerson stated: “The NBN will be a powerful tool for small business and helping 50,000 small businesses go online or improve their online presence will ensure they are ready for these exciting opportunities.”

Source - Ret.gov.au

With mobile broadband technology having come a long way over recent years a rising number of people in Australia have realised the benefits that these services can offer. With mobile broadband consumers are able to get online whilst out and about, making it ideal for those that are on the move such as business users or those that always want to stay connected. However, it is also a good choice for those that are unable to get adequate access to fixed line broadband as well as those that are looking for something to complement or even replace their fixed line service.

One recent report has suggested that the take up of mobile broadband services has been increased as a result of the availability of things such as data cards and impressive smart phones, and it is thought that as 4G or LTE broadband technology comes in the popularity of mobile broadband services will soar even further.

This increased take up of mobile broadband could create a problem for the National Broadband Network, as it could mean that as it is rolled out people will be quickly losing – or already have lost – interest because of the availability and increased reliability of mobile broadband services. The report claims that Telstra has already experienced issues as a result of an estimated eight percent of households said to have now ditched their fixed line broadband in favour of solely using mobile broadband services. This could increase to around fifteen percent within five years.

The data is backed up by a statement made last year by Vodafone, with officials from the mobile network stating: “The recent and substantial growth in mobile broadband take-up has already increased demand for backhaul transmission and its importance will grow exponentially as technology advances.”

Source - SMH

Many consumers and businesses in Australia are keen to see improvements made to services such as high speed broadband access and improved mobile broadband networks, but this is something that Australia – and other countries – is finding it difficult to do because of lack of spectrum. Different countries are looking at various ways to release more spectrum, and companies such as mobile broadband providers are keen to see something done so that they can improve their own services.

It has been announced recently by Stephen Conroy, the Minister for Broadband, Communication, and the Digital Economy that on 15th December this year regional South Australia and Broken Hill would be switching to digital only television. He said that the aim was to complete the digital switchover across Australia by 2013.

Conroy said: “The switchover to digital TV in the Spencer Gulf, Riverland, Mt Gambier and southeast South Australia, and Broken Hill regions is part of the progressive switchover to digital TV around Australia by 2013.

Already 64 per cent of households in these regions have converted to digital TV, which is more than the Australia-wide conversion rate of 61 per cent by the end of 2009. Digital switchover will deliver more choice and content, better picture and sound quality and free up spectrum which can be used for the delivery of new and improved broadcasting and communications services, such as high speed broadband. A new satellite service will provide all free-to-air digital television services to viewers who are in regional blackspot and remote areas, allowing them to receive the same number of channels as city residents, as well as local news.”

Source - Minister.DBCDE.Gov.AU

A brand new initiative has recently been launched by six community leaders that will show how a number of national issues like illiteracy, diabetes and safety online are being helped with the use of telecommunications.

The deployment of telecommunications across six key areas which includes, Indigenous Australia, communities, families, the future, health and the environment is described in the new initiative called ‘Ideas for Good’ which has been funded by telecoms giant, Telstra. As well as allowing people to talk with and listen to some of the most influential thinkers and community leaders in Australia the website that has been made available through the Ideas for Good will also provide both information and valuable insight into these six main areas.

As an endorsement for the initiative AO, Mr Tim Costello said “‘Ideas for Good’ is a great initiative. Any campaign that encourages people to engage on issues of community and justice is a welcome addition to the Australian landscape. I’ll definitely be taking a keen interest in the debate and exchange of opinions on the ‘Ideas for Good’ website.”

The main aspects of the campaign will be championed by six of Australia’s biggest thinkers and leaders of the community who are the Cybersafety expert and Honorary Professor at La Trobe University, Dr Martyn Wild; Conductor of the Choir of Hard Knocks, Dr Jonathon Welch; Chief Technology Officer at Telstra, Dr Hugh Bradlow; a former executive director of Greenpeace International, Paul Gilding; Creative Director, Awakening at Sydney Olympics and Board of Indigenous Tourism Australia, Rhoda Roberts and Director of Lifehouse, the Chris O’Brien Cancer Centre at RPA hospital, Gail O’Brien.

Source - Telstra

A number of serious issues have been raised regarding the mandatory internet content filtering scheme from the Federal Government including the possibility of future governments abusing this filter, the blocking of legitimate websites and information, and the creation of a false impression that children accessing the internet are safe. The survey results show that 92.6 percent of all the recipients that responded were against the governments filtering scheme.

A total of 44.1 percent of those who responded said that the main factor that would affect how they voted in the next election was the internet filter, whilst 39.2 percent of respondents said that although it would not be at the expense of other issues the filter would possibly be an issue, according to the survey that ran throughout January.

Among those involved in the survey were IT managers, developers, administrators, students and government bureaucrats who were considered to be informed broadband users.

The number of respondents that said they had never seen a website that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) would ban came to 49 percent, which was slightly less than half. As many as 84.3 percent of respondents went on to say that they already knew or would be able to get round the content filters with a little instruction, which led to comments advising that the government should educate children and parents rather than use the filter.

As well as the results of the survey there are also a significant number of major broadband and IT providers that have been against the internet content filter since the system first began.

Source - Network World