• 

  ISP filtering to get Fed Govt subsidy: Budget 08

  Internet Service Providers 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 Cyber-safety plan.

• 

  Rural broadband guarantee extended till 2012

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

• 

  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.

• 

  Sydney's free Wi-Fi plans scrapped

  The NSW government has scrapped plans to offer free Wi-Fi in Sydney, citing spiralling costs and overseas failures for killing the project.

• 

  2.4 million more Aussies now have 20Mbps

  Telstra has announced it has finished switching on ADSL2+ at over 900 exchanges to give 2.4 million Australians a theoretical maximum downlink speed of up to 20 Mbps.

• 

  Conroy kills $1bn OPEL rural broadband contract

  The federal government has cancelled the contract for Optus and Elders to build a WiMAX broadband network, the companies say.

• 

  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.

• 

  Free Wi-Fi set to go full-time at Sydney libraries

  Over the past four weeks, the City of Sydney Council has been trialling the provision of free Wi-Fi services in its libraries. With only a fortnight to go before the hotspots are switched off, a spokesperson has said that users won't have long to wait before access becomes a permanent fixture.

• 

  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 »

• 

  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.

• 

  See and speak: a guide to making video calls

  Would you like to see who you're talking to? Making video calls is easier than you think. CNET.com.au steps you through the options.

• 

  Around the world in.... WiMax

  WiMax, the controversial long range wireless broadband technology, is set to spread across rural Australia from next year -- but despite the outgoing Howard government's ambitious project, both fixed and mobile variants of the technology are already being deployed around the world.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  ADSL2+: Turbo-charged broadband, at last

  Forget about the usual New Year’s resolutions; this year, soon-to-be-widespread ADSL2+ availability will give you far better things to do with your time. David Braue catches up with the market.

• 

  Mobile broadband cranks it up: HSDPA data cards compared

  High-speed mobile broadband has arrived! We compare Telstra's BigPond Wireless Next G service, Vodafone's HSDPA-enhanced 3G network and 3's new NetConnect ExpressCard.

• 

  The world is your local calling zone

  VoIP may save you on interstate calls, but it's also great for keeping in touch when you're overseas. David Braue explains how it has helped him move his virtual office to Singapore at almost no cost.

• 

  Is it time to ditch your landline?

  Tired of watching your phone bill soar as Telstra uses fixed-line rental increases to jack up its profits? Getting rid of your land line is now easier than ever. CNET.com.au weighs up the options.

More features »

• 

  Oi!: A mobile network with a difference

  Have you ever heard of a mobile service provider that isn't a big, faceless corporation, and that gives back to the community?

• 

  Oi!: 3 bundles mobiles with broadband

  3 Mobile bundles capped mobile plans with mobile broadband and very nearly gives us what we want.

• 

  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.

• 

  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?

• 

  Oi!: ReelTime movies: yours for keeps

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

More oi! »

• 

  VoIP guide: Voice over IP in Australia

  Making phone calls over the Internet isn't just for the tech savvy anymore. Using VoIP (or Voice over Internet Protocol) is easier than ever before, with several services out there that can help drastically reduce your phone bill. Here's everything you need to know about VoIP in Australia.

• 

  ISP filtering to get Fed Govt subsidy: Budget 08

  Internet Service Providers 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 Cyber-safety plan.

• 

  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.

• 

  Rural broadband guarantee extended till 2012

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

• 

  Boxing Day launch for Unwired laptop card

  Sydney wireless carrier Unwired plans to start selling a long-awaited PCMCIA card version of its broadband modem for laptops on Boxing Day.

• 

  Channel Seven places Engin call

  Australian television broadcaster Seven Network has taken a 33 percent stake in fledgling Internet telephony company Engin in a move heralding the convergence of telecommunications and media assets Down Under.

• 

  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.

• 

  CES 2007: Landline or Skype? Netgear lets you have both

  Netgear announced yesterday a dual-mode cordless Wi-Fi phone that supports both traditional landlines and Skype VoIP calling.

• 

  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.

• Broadband Internet speed test

• Choosing a broadband plan

• A guide to VoIP in Australia

• 

  ASUS AIR

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

• 

  Netcomm NP200AV Homeplug

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

• 

  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.

• 

  Engin Voicebox 3102

  If you want a simple VoIP box with PSTN pass-through, the Voicebox 3102 is it. It's a pity that it's locked to one VoIP provider, however, making it a slightly expensive option.

• 

  MyNetFone Netgear TA612V

  The TA612V is a solid unit that provides a low-cost way to make VoIP calls. It is a good choice for a household or small home office where users are keen to cut their telephone bills.

More reviews »

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

More popular reviews »

• 

  Netcomm NP200AV Homeplug

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

• 

  Freshtel 4030 Stick Phone

  Travellers with VoIP fixations will love Freshtel's excellent and easily transportable USB VoIP adaptor.

• 

  Netcomm NB9W ADSL2+ Wireless Broadband Modem router with VoIP Gateway

  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.

• 

  Vodafone Mobile Connect

  Aggressive pricing, a slice of speed-boosting tech and a tempting 'unlimited' downloads plan puts Vodafone in pole position in the race for 3G datacard customers.

• 

  Netcomm MyNetFone V-100

  The V-100 combines solid technology and a service that's cheaper to run than competing VoIP services.

More editors' choice »