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  Optus loses the sunshine state

  Optus customers in Queensland are stranded in a communications desert, with a cable break at the Gold Coast wreaking havoc.

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  Telstra unveils T[Life] Melbourne

  Telstra has thrown the covers off three new stores in Melbourne including the company's largest retail outlet located in the heart of Melbourne's CBD.

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  ISPs: Govt porn filters 'could cripple internet'

  Broadband providers Internode and iiNet have hit out against the Federal government's ISP-level content filtering initiative — a scheme that could cripple Australia's high-speed internet access, according to one exec.

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  Conroy gives rural ISPs guidance on bush broadband

  Communications Minister Senator Stephen Conroy has issued a new set of guidelines for ISPs servicing rural and regional Australia, on the back of the Federal government's decision to extend the Australian Broadband Guarantee as part of last Tuesday's budget.

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  ISP filtering to get Fed govt subsidy: Budget 08

  ISPs will be granted a one-off government subsidy towards the cost of installing filtering technology as part of the Rudd government's AU$125.8 million cybersafety plan.

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  Rural broadband guarantee extended till 2012

  The government has extended its subsidy to help rural Australians establish a broadband connection by four years.

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  Broadband network big ticket item in budget

  Senator Conroy says the proposed national broadband network will rival the Snowy Mountains hydro scheme in terms of scale and significance.

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  Australia's uncapped broadband data dream dies

  The dream of broadband without data limits is set to slip through Australians' fingers, as countries like the UK start to wave goodbye to their own uncapped plans.

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  Smile, you're on a bar Webcam

  Around the United States, bars and clubs are tapping the Internet to let people know when they're hopping -- or dreadfully quiet. Will this idea catch on in Australia?

More news »

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  Photos: T[Life] Melbourne

  Telstra's new T[Life] store in Melbourne is glossy and enormous, and those south-of-the-border should count themselves lucky. Everyone else we bring you a virtual walk through.

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  Getting Steamed: digital distribution for games isn't there yet

  Online distribution should be world-wide, and yet we're still thinking inside old market models.

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  Australian Federal Election 2007: a CNET.com.au guide

  This Saturday's federal election promises to be the most exciting in at least a decade. If you're undecided as to who to vote for or just can't wait until the first results dribble through, there's a plethora of ways to stay informed.

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  Photos: Australian broadband coverage

  With a fierce battle raging over Australia's broadband future and how bush users should be connected, regulators have weighed in to produce a state of nation report into the country's communications infrastructure and how well consumers are being served by their providers.

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  Speed up your Web downloads

  When it comes to the Internet, speed is everything. Here are some top downloads that can help your Web speed blaze.

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  Best of CeBIT Australia 2006

  CeBIT Australia attracted around 30,000 people last week to its computer expo at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre. Here are our top picks from what we saw and CNET.com.au's CeBIT 2006 People's Choice Award the best consumer product or service.

More features »

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  Oi!: 3's wire-free USB

  3 Mobile's HSDPA broadband modems have shrugged off the shackles of a wired connection and been given a sleek-looking makeover in the process.

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  Oi!: Christmas Karma

  If you want to shop online for a socially responsible gift, try something new called Karma Currency, Australia's first charity gift voucher.

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  Oi!: Mardi Gras announces $10 parade webcast

  Instant toilet access, cheap drinks, no teetering on the top of a stack of upturned milk crates that you've just bought from an enterprising young chap at Hyde Park. Tempting way to watch Sydney's Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras parade?

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  Oi!: ReelTime movies: yours for keeps

  Universal and ReelTime have paired up to launch Australia's first download-to-own movie service.

More oi! »

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  Optus loses the sunshine state

  Optus customers in Queensland are stranded in a communications desert, with a cable break at the Gold Coast wreaking havoc.

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  Photos: T[Life] Melbourne

  Telstra's new T[Life] store in Melbourne is glossy and enormous, and those south-of-the-border should count themselves lucky. Everyone else we bring you a virtual walk through.

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  Watch downloads on your TV

  Media wants to be free, but it should be accessible everywhere in your house too, especially on your TV. Find out how to play the files on your PC on a bigger screen.

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  Optus's Asian access still patchy

  Access to some Asian Web sites continues to be erratic for Optus broadband customers more than a week after major earthquakes damaged undersea cables off the coast of Taiwan.

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  CES 2007: Cisco touts the networked home of future

  CEO outlines vision for building home networks that let people access video, music and other content anywhere in the home.

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  Microsoft unveils Aussie music subscription service

  Microsoft unveils music subscription service, movie downloads and online photo prints ordering at Australian Vista launch event.

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  Broadband support for disadvantaged kids needed

  Australia may be a developed nation but the digital divide is still prevalent in certain communities. With this in mind, the IT Fund for Kids hopes to narrow the gap by introducing sick children to the Internet.

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  Telstra achieves a single bill

  The consolidation of back-end billing systems at the nation's largest telco Telstra is starting to show results, with the telco notifying customers it could now issue them a single bill covering all of their broadband and telephony services.

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  IT Fund for Kids

  CNET.com.au is supporting the IT Fund for Kids, a national fundraising initiative that works to improve the quality of life for seriously ill and autistic children.

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  3 Mobile Broadband USB modem (v.2)

  While this newer USB modem from 3 carries itself with a sharp new look, it delivers nearly identical performance to its predecessor.

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  ASUS AIR

  ASUS enters the Internet radio fray, but is anyone listening?

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  Netcomm NP200AV Homeplug

  Netcomm's chunky purple NP200AV Homeplugs offer those stricken with wireless data woes a way out — at a price.

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  D-Link DI-808HV broadband VPN router

  The DI-808HV is among the best VPN routers we've seen. If you need to be able to establish a remote connection to the office via the Internet, check out this router from D-Link.

More reviews »

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  NetComm NB9W

  The NB9W is a solid performer, combining a modem, router and VoIP gateway in one, making it an ideal solution for the home or office.

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  Telstra Next G Prepaid Broadband

  Telstra's prepaid wireless broadband offering is good for casual browsers or those who'd rather avoid dodgy Net cafes, but beware — there's a pricing sting to be considered.

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  3 Mobile Broadband USB Modem (HSDPA)

  It's hard to say whether it's the hardware or the network at fault with 3's USB Mobile Broadband USB Modem. Either way, we're not impressed with what it offers.

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  Netgear RangeMax Next Wireless ADSL2+ Modem Router DG834N

  The Netgear DG834N is a flexible and consistently performing draft-N router with some excellent security features -- but you may baulk at the price.

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  3 Mobile Internet NetConnect Card

  Those seeking a wireless "broadband anywhere" connection have another reliable option with the 3 Mobile Internet NetConnect Card, but the usual "subject to coverage area" caveats apply.

More popular reviews »

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  Netcomm NP200AV Homeplug

  Netcomm's chunky purple NP200AV Homeplugs offer those stricken with wireless data woes a way out — at a price.

More editors' choice »