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Toll roads - Transport Agency does well but tweaks needed

Posted yesterday @ 11:45 a.m. by Ernie

Today's Herald takes the NZ Transport Agency gently to task for forgetting to have a "https" security encryption tag before the Web address on its new toll payments site. The site is in place for Auckland's Northern Gateway toll road, due to open in a few weeks.The NZTA has responded well in promising to rectify it quickly.I have a personal interest. I live down the road and will use the magnificent new motorway now and then. Yet when I logged in a few days ago to set up an account I abandoned...

Categories: Innovation | TUANZ policy | Vendors

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Paul Swain - a well deserved honour

Posted Wed 31 December 2008 @ 9:03 p.m. by Ernie

It made my new year's eve to see that Paul Swain, former Minister of Communications, has scored a QSM in the New Year Honours.Politics aside, most people agree that telecommunications was one element of the economy that the previous government handled with great distinction. A lot of the kudos has gone to the more flamboyant David Cunliffe who finished the job, but we should not forget that it was Swain who started it.Swain was a quiet achiever. He did his homework, made the hard calls,...

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Another Telecom outage!

Posted Wed 17 December 2008 @ 8:46 a.m. by Ernie

Doug Wilson, CIO of the Automobile Association and TUANZ Board member, writes in frustration as follows:"Telecom had another brief outage yesterday around lunchtime. We and I presume others lost phones for three minutes – I know that doesn’t sound long but we run an emergency service - and we have bought every service that Telecom sells to give us total resilience but they still have failures like this and the broadband one the other day."Now Doug is a pretty tolerant guy and doesn't complain...

Categories: Fixed line carriers | ISPs | Vendors

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Utilities the way forward for fibre - report

Posted Tue 16 December 2008 @ 2:23 a.m. by Ernie

A report on broadband strategy options for New Zealand, commissioned by InternetNZ and written by Network Strategies, was released yesterday. It will be one of the most valuable contributions to the telecommunications policy debate this year, and a timely addition to the reading list for our new Minister, Hon Steven Joyce.Essentially the conclusion is that the best way forward for broadband in New Zealand is to harness the existing utilities with their pre-existing networks of underground and overhead...

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TUANZ calls for end of mobile duopoly

Posted Fri 12 December 2008 @ 2:16 p.m. by Louis

In a media statement issued today, TUANZ Chief Executive Ernie Newman has said New Zealand desperately needs a third mobile network to break the current duopoly of Telecom and Vodafone. This was in response to the Commerce Commission’s Key Statistics for Telecommunications for the September quarter report released this morning. “We are in the dearest half dozen OECD countries in terms of mobile phone pricing and this is costing the average Kiwi hundreds of dollars each year,” says Ernie. “New...

Categories: Fixed line carriers | Regulatory | TUANZ policy | Vendors | Wireless carriers

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Sharing is caring on Swiss FTTH network

Posted Thu 11 December 2008 @ 12:36 p.m. by Louis

The Swiss are getting fibre-to-the-home next year and whatsmore, Swisscom, the Swiss equivalent of our own Telecom, is playing nicely by laying enough cables at the same time for other providers to use too. Swisscom aims to connect 100,000 households to its new fibre network by the end of 2009 and has already started rolling out FTTH and FTTO (fibre-to-the-office) in Zurich, Basel and Geneva. Other cities will be added to the network during the course of next year and Swisscom will launch fibre-based...

Categories: Fixed line carriers | Regulatory | TUANZ policy | Vendors

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A historic day for telecommunications!

Posted Wed 10 December 2008 @ 1:23 p.m. by Ernie

This is a special blog. It is the first one I have ever posted over a Fibre to the Farm connection. Just maybe, it is the first blog ever posted across a FTTH connection in New Zealand? This farm’s connection is only a day or two old.Here today at Mangamaire, telecommunications history has been made with the official launch of fibre to Mangamaire School, together with a small but rapidly increasing number of homes and farms in the area.Mangamaire, for those who don’t know, is best described as an...

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Better broadband experience the focus for Telecom Retail

Posted Mon 8 December 2008 @ 4:28 p.m. by Louis

Telecom Retail today gave a gathering of journalists and analysts an update over lunch on some of its recent developments and a preview of upcoming initiatives. Home & Broadband Director Ralph Brayham said Telecom’s approach to the retail market has transformed greatly under the influence of Paul Reynolds, who became group CEO last year. Brayham acknowledged things are bit more complicated for Telecom since local loop unbundling and its operational separation, saying people in the company...

Categories: Fixed line carriers | Vendors | Wireless carriers

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Five hundred Whispers closer to faster broadband

Posted Fri 5 December 2008 @ 11:25 a.m. by Louis

Telecom’s network business, Chorus, has already made 500 of its new Whisper roadside cabinets, which are central to the company’s plan to deliver faster broadband. The “milestone” 500th cabinet rolled off the production line in Christchurch earlier this week. The cabinets are part of Telecom’s fibre to the node project to upgrade its broadband infrastructure. The project will see Chorus install and upgrade about 3,600 Whisper cabinets, as well as connect a further 2,500kms of fibre optic cable...

Categories: Fixed line carriers | Innovation | ISPs | Vendors

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EC takes aim at German MTRs

Posted Fri 5 December 2008 @ 9:32 a.m. by Louis

The European Commission has asked Germany to provide details of the country's mobile termination rates or face legal action. In a letter to German regulator Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA), the commission requested it be notified of all German mobile operators' termination rates. The EC says MTRs are relatively high in Germany compared to several other member states. It aims to ensure “more coherent and transparent termination rates across Europe, thereby avoiding distortions of competition between...

Categories: Regulatory | TUANZ policy | Vendors | Wireless carriers

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No luck from Telecom for spotty SH3 coverage

Posted Thu 4 December 2008 @ 12:18 p.m. by Louis

Telecom is unlikely to come to the aid of travellers along a long and winding stretch of State Highway 3, where mobile phone coverage is almost non-existent. Instead, the company says its ‘total focus” is on getting its new Wideband CDMA network up and running. As reported yesterday, New Plymouth resident Chris O'Connor has started a petition over less than adequate cell phone coverage along a treacherous stretch of SH3 between Urenui in Taranaki to Piopio in Waikato, and has taken the matter...

Categories: TUANZ policy | Vendors | Wireless carriers

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The long and winding road to cell phone coverage

Posted Wed 3 December 2008 @ 4:59 p.m. by Louis

A petition for improved mobile phone coverage along a treacherous piece of State Highway 3 is gaining momentum. The petition, organised by New Plymouth resident Chris O'Connor, aims to increase awareness to the shortfalls in cell phone coverage from Urenui in Taranaki to Piopio in Waikato. “This is a hilly and twisty terrain where there is little or no cell phone coverage for about one-and-a-half hours of drive time,” says Chris. “This is a real safety concern for the people in the area and support...

Categories: Fixed line carriers | Regulatory | TUANZ policy | Vendors | Wireless carriers

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New body to give ‘frustrated’ Aussie telco users a ‘voice’

Posted Wed 3 December 2008 @ 12:34 p.m. by Louis

The Australian Government has announced a $700,000 grant that it says will advance consumer representation in the telecommunications sector. The grant will be used to establish a new peak representative body, the Australian Communications Consumers Action Network (ACCAN) by July 2009. Announcing the grant, Australia’s Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy said: "Consumers are frustrated that their needs and complaints are not adequately recognised by telecommunications...

Categories: Fixed line carriers | Regulatory | TUANZ policy | Vendors | Wireless carriers

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Maori Technology Hui - Inspired Timing!

Posted Wed 3 December 2008 @ 12:17 p.m. by Ernie

I've spent the morning giving the opening presentation at a Maori Technology Hui here in Wellington, organised by the Te Huarahi Tika Trust. There was a great crowd - I'd guess around 80 people, standing room only, with an excellent programme. It occurred to me that despite having given oodles of presentations over the years this was the first time I had ever presented to a specifically Maori audience. Slightly daunting.The organisers had asked me to set the scene, so my presentation covered off...

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Kordia’s vision enlightens After 5s audience

Posted Fri 28 November 2008 @ 3:14 p.m. by Louis

Kordia lifted the lid on some visionary projects during the TUANZ After 5s circuit this month. Chief executive Geoff Hunt gave details of two major projects Kordia is seeking funding for which he says are aimed at delivering better and more affordable broadband to New Zealanders. The first is a proposed fibre network roll-out in the Northland region. Kordia has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Northland Regional Council, NorthPower and Top Energy to build the network. The group has...

Categories: Events | Fixed line carriers | Innovation | TUANZ policy | Vendors

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After 5s sign off for 2008

Posted Fri 28 November 2008 @ 9:32 a.m. by Louis

The final TUANZ After 5s for 2008 wrapped up in Auckland yesterday, which spells the end of a very busy week for the TUANZ team, and serves as a reminder that in just over a month we’ll be heralding in 2009. This month’s After 5s were hosted by Kordia and were well attended in each venue – Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland. As this was my first round of After 5s, I attended each event, apart from Auckland, which, to be honest, I’m grateful for as Auckland was an ‘After 5am’ and kicked...

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Steven Joyce and TUANZ have a history

Posted Tue 25 November 2008 @ 8:06 a.m. by Ernie

Do I feel stupid?A day or two ago I wrote to our new Minister, Hon Steven Joyce. I included the obligatory paragraph introducing TUANZ.Now I realise that a year ago he spoke at a TUANZ event. Sarah Putt, who wrote this blog post, reminded me.He was rated as the best speaker of the Conference. Some delegates even suggested he should have been the keynote.So when TUANZ gets to meet him, at least he will have prior knowledge of us, hopefully in a positive context.

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Teleworking presentations online now

Posted Mon 24 November 2008 @ 1:27 p.m. by Louis

Presentations from the recent TUANZ Teleworking 2008 conference, presented in association with Cisco, are now available for download online.The conference covered a wide range of topics relating to operating a remote or flexible workforce.Sessions included an international keynote delivered by Cris Palauni, manager of reservations of JetBlue Airways, who manages a team of 1500 reservations staff who all work from home.Local case studies were provided by Prue Jacobson of Unisys and Michael Foley of...

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A millimetre too close for comfort

Posted Fri 21 November 2008 @ 2:53 p.m. by Louis

Sometimes the simple laws of physics can cause great technological innovations to come unstuck. A great example of this was London’s Millennium Bridge, which while a technical masterpiece resonated so well with its users it started swaying in synch with their footsteps as they walked across it. Another example I experienced this week. As I may have mentioned I enjoy technology – I’m not a gadget geek as such, but I like getting my hands on new techy stuff. Therefore I was rather excited to receive...

Categories: Education | Innovation | Light relief | Regulatory | Vendors

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Chorus sings 50 year veteran’s praises

Posted Thu 20 November 2008 @ 3:32 p.m. by Louis

A great deal has changed in the telecommunications industry over the past 50 years, but one thing that has remained constant is Chorus’ network property manager Craig Bonnington. In an age of quick fixes and instant gratification, Craig celebrated 50 years with Telecom this month. Of course it wasn’t Telecom back in 1958 when he first joined the organisation after arriving in Palmerston North from Scotland. Back then telephone services were still provided by the Post Office and Craig signed on...

Categories: Fixed line carriers | Light relief | Vendors | Wireless carriers

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Teleworking hits the headlines

Posted Thu 20 November 2008 @ 11:18 a.m. by Louis

Last week’s inaugural TUANZ Teleworking 2008 conference has received a fair amount of coverage in the latest Computerworld. The coverage includes an interview by Computerworld editor Rob O’Neill with SalesforceatHome general manager Jacob Murray-White who presented at the event. The article also includes a video interview O’Neill conducted with Bevis England, director of Telework New Zealand, who presented two sessions at the conference. In addition, Computerworld has also published a case-study...

Categories: Events | Innovation | TUANZ policy | Vendors

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Vo-damn! A tale of ‘roaming robbery’

Posted Wed 19 November 2008 @ 3:11 p.m. by Louis

The cost of using mobile broadband overseas has one TUANZ member calling 'roaming robbery'.The Auckland businessman, who wishes not to be named, discovered recently that Vodafone data costs 100 times the price it does locally when roaming just across the Tasman.This is his story:“Last week I was working in Australia. I needed to access my e-mail, so decided to try my Vodafone Vodem. With the new high speed mobile broadband network, the service worked extremely well – downloading my 20 e-mails in...

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New Zealand broadband build-out among the “most ambitious” in the world - Reynolds

Posted Wed 19 November 2008 @ 9:52 a.m. by Louis

Telecom CEO, Paul Reynolds, is claiming that New Zealand's current broadband build-out is “one of the most ambitious broadband programmes in the world”. According Computerworld.co.nz, Reynolds is making the claims in an interview with Television Hawke's Bay that airs tonight. In the interview, Reynolds reportedly says New Zealand has overtaken the UK in broadband and that services here are now the sixth cheapest in the world. He also claims that Telecom's own broadband services have improved...

Categories: Fixed line carriers | Innovation | ISPs | Vendors | Wireless carriers

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Digital Dipton will make life easier for Bill English

Posted Tue 18 November 2008 @ 2:17 p.m. by Ernie

Bill English is to use Skype to stay in touch with the electorate, the Southland Times reports.Great! The more senior MPs who rely on broadband, the more awareness of the need to improve the reach and speeds.Bill will be able to use the SSC's Fibre Map to check out how his electorate is faring in the fibre race, and his constituents' can test their actual speeds on this speed test. I'm sure the politically-astute telcos will have mapped his home and made sure it is well served, but the...

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“We value your ongoing custom…but it will cost you”

Posted Mon 17 November 2008 @ 4:31 p.m. by Louis

Shifting home – no one loves it, right? With all the packing and loading boxes and furniture onto a truck just to unload it all again a few kilometres down the road, it is just a hassle. Even getting movers in only serves to slightly reduce the hard labour part of the exercise. With all this physical activity going on, when it comes to the more virtual tasks of changing over power, insurance and – yeah, you guessed it – phone and internet accounts, most movers would expect this to be a relatively...

Categories: Fixed line carriers | ISPs | Vendors | Wireless carriers

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