Archived News for IT Professionals
The National Broadband Network Co (NBN Co) has opened its $32.5 million operations centre in Melbourne. The facility, located in Melbourne’s Docklands district, will act as a central hub that houses the facilities that manage the day-to-day operations of the NBN service, while allowing telcos and ISPs to test products and equipment they will make available as services are rolled out.
The new facilities launched are:
- Network Service and Operations Centre (NSOC) that enables NBN Co to monitor the network across the country, detect faults, manage orders and support the telephone and internet service providers that will sell broadband services to the public.
- National Test Facility (NTF) which will allow telephone and internet service providers to test new services before they are rolled out across the NBN. It will also be used to test NBN Co's new products such as the planned multicast capability that is being designed to give telephone and internet providers the ability to deliver high-quality video to support a new wave of services such as IPTV in high-definition.
- Discovery Centre, a hands-on interactive educational experience at Docklands. Visitors can learn about and experience for themselves the benefits of the NBN in an environment built to resemble the interior of a family home.
- NBN Co Demonstration Truck, a 23-tonne mobile interactive discovery centre that aims to bring the NBN experience to life. The NBN Co truck opens up to feature impressive outdoor displays while its interior has been fitted with high-definition screens, cameras and audio equipment that bring the NBN experience to life. Like the Discovery Centre it will feature practical displays showing the NBN equipment that Australians can expect to see in their homes and businesses. It is expected to visit more than 100 towns and cities across Australia over the next 12 months, starting next week in Tasmania.
It is estimated that up to 100,000 people a year will pass through the NBN Co truck and the Docklands Discovery Centre. Individuals and groups interested in visiting these facilities can book online at www.nbnco.com.au/demos.
ICT jobs boom in Victoria
Nearly 200 ICT jobs have been generated in Victoria after a number of companies announced their intentions to open operations in the state.
ACCC calls for final comments on bitstream service
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is inviting final comment on the local bitstream access service description as final plans for regulation are made.
NSW Government to hold ICT pitching and networking event
ICT companies have been invited by the NSW Government to register for a pitching and networking event in Sydney on 8 December to help form consortiums for the Government's $1 million Collaborative Solutions Mobile Government program.
Quantum computing expert awarded 2011 NSW Scientist of the Year
For more information on Professor Simmons's work go to www.cqc2t.org. For more information on the awards visit www.business.nsw.gov.au/scienceawards
Victorian Ombudsman slams ICT waste
Victorian Ombudsman George Brouwer has slammed the state of state ICT projects, lamenting the lost opportunities that the wasted funds represented.
Face recognition technology wins Asia-Pacific ICT Alliance Award
University of Queensland (UQ) academics have been awarded the ICT Research and Development prize for their face-recognition technology that improves the speed and accuracy of identifying faces for law-enforcement at the Asia-Pacific ICT Alliance Awards (APICTA) in Thailand.
The academics, working in collaboration with National ICT Australia's (NICTA) Queensland Research Laboratory and the Queensland government, created NICTA's Face Search Engine to improve face recognition in grainy, low quality video footage, potentially saving precious police time.
NICTA's Advanced Surveillance Project Leader and UQ academic, Professor Brian Lovell said the Face Search Engine is the product of five years research by a committed and dedicated team.
The Advanced Surveillance Project is the result of a collaboration between NICTA, Australia's ICT Research Centre of Excellence, and the National Security Science and Technology (NSST) Branch within the National Security and International Policy Group which resides in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The APICTA Awards is an international awards program which aims to increase ICT awareness in the community and assist in bridging the digital divide.
UQ's Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), Professor Max Lu said the technology developed by Professor Lovell and his colleagues has the potential to save police time and reduce the rate of crime not only in Australia, but throughout the world.
Government opens NBN education plan
The Federal Government has announced its $27.2 million National Broadband Network (NBN) Enabled Education and Skills Services Program, to support the development of online and interactive education and training projects.
Swinburne launches online only courses
The Swinburne University of Technology has announced that applications for its online only degree programs are now open.
NBN Co announces $635 million in contracts
The National Broadband Network Co (NBN Co) has announced $635 million in contracts to be delivered over the next five years by six separate companies.
Melbourne Uni announces new IT department
The University of Melbourne’s School Of Engineering will open the new Department of Computing and Information Systems (CIS) at the start of 2012.
NBN finalises SA and NT construction agreement
The Federal Government has announced that the National Broadband Network Co (NBN Co) has reached a final agreement for the volume rollout of fibre in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Government forms ICT advisory group
The Federal Government has announced the formation of a strategic advisory group that will contribute to international discussions on ICT standards issues.
Telstra outlines next cloud step
Telstra has announced the next stage of its $800 million cloud computing investment strategy, outlining a new Cloud Services portal making virtual servers more easily available and affordable.
Victoria unveils $85 million ICT plan
The Victorian Government has revealed its $85 million ICT plan that will aim to support continued growth in the sector while developing global competitiveness.
Citigroup estimates opposition broadband scheme to cost $17 billion
Citigroup Global Markets has estimated that the Federal Opposition’s alternative to the National Broadband Network (NBN) will cost taxpayers $16.7 billion and would be completed by 2018.
Optus reveals NBN pricing
Optus has announced its NBN pricing scheme, revealing seven separate pricing packages, with monthly plans starting from $39.99 when bundled with an Optus postpaid mobile plan at $19 and above
NBN outlines small-business services
The National broadband Network (NBN) Co has announced it intends to offer telcos and other service providers new high speed wholesale broadband services which can be tailored to meet demands of small office/home office (SOHO) consumers.
Social media could be key to a healthy society
Researchers at Adelaide University are about to commence a two-year research study with the Lyell McEwin Hospital in Adelaide’s north that will aim to ascertain how social networks and new communication technologies influence behavior relating to health.
Race to innovate could compromise security
The race to adopt new technologies and integrate cloud computing could begin to compromise security as new business needs drive innovation, according to Ernst & Young’s Global Information Security Survey.
UWA wins grant for remote wireless research
The University of Western Australia has received a $300,000 grant to further its research into improving wireless broadband internet services in rural and regional Australia under the grants awarded by the Australian Research Council (ARC).