Don't forget to check out http://www.auda.org.au/domain-news/ for the archive of the last 3 months of the news. And see my website - http://GoldsteinReport.com/ - for daily updates in between postings. *************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** New gTLD Update for Applicants http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-20aug12-en Roadmap for Processing New gTLD Applications http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-17aug12-en Kiwi websites vie for awards http://www.3news.co.nz/Kiwi-websites-vie-for-awards/tabid/412/articleID/265553/Default.aspx ICANN Posts Tentative Roadmap for the Processing of New gTLD Applications by Philip Corwin http://internetcommerce.org/Tentative_Roadmap New gTLD hopefuls set aggressive targets for ICANN http://domainincite.com/10196-new-gtld-hopefuls-set-aggressive-targets-for-icann ICANN?s Latest gTLD Update: 6 Applications Withdrawn, New Processing Roadmap And Digital Archery Replacements http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/08/21/icanns-latest-gtld-update/ Weighing in on Batching http://www.gtldstrategy.com/policy-updates/weighing-in-on-batching ICANN expects gTLD application processing to start in December [IDG] http://www.infoworld.com/d/networking/icann-expects-gtld-application-processing-start-in-december-200616 Growing maze of domain name protection http://www.afr.com/p/technology/growing_maze_of_domain_name_protection_q82RinW5EKumQXjSU1xF2H Most cyber attacks fly under our radar: Aussie spy chief http://www.zdnet.com/au/most-cyber-attacks-fly-under-our-radar-aussie-spy-chief-7000002892/ Melbourne IT finds 'opportunity' in AAPT data breach http://www.cio.com.au/article/434117/melbourne_it_finds_opportunity_aapt_data_breach/ US Seizes Three Domains Involved In Illegal Distribution Of Android Apps http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/08/23/seizes-three-domains/ ISP has to block 25 domains promoting counterfeit goods, Dutch judge rules [IDG] http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/261260/isp_has_to_block_25_domains_promoting_counterfeit_goods_dutch_judge_rules.html Task Force releases ?metrics? report, highlighting state of IPv6 in New Zealand http://www.ipv6.org.nz/2012/08/22/task-force-releases-metrics-report-highlighting-state-of-ipv6-in-new-zealand/ us: How the Air Force Is Flying Toward IPv6 http://www.readwriteweb.com/enterprise/2012/08/how-the-air-force-is-flying-toward-ipv6.php Visiting Flippa in Melbourne, Australia http://domainnamewire.com/2012/08/21/visiting-flippa-in-melbourne-australia/ ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** The fight for control of the internet has become critical: If plans to put cyberspace under a secretive UN agency go through, states' censoring of the web will be globally enshrined by John Kampfner, former chief executive of Index on Censorship In horror movies, the scariest moments usually come from the monster you can't see. So the same goes for real life, or at least online life. Over the past few years, largely out of sight, governments have been clawing back freedoms on the internet, turning an invention that was designed to emancipate the individual into a tool for surveillance and control. In the next few months, this process is set to be enshrined internationally, amid plans to put cyberspace under the authority of a largely secretive and obscure UN agency. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/aug/22/fight-control-internet-become-critical Showdown looms over global internet regulation A push by some countries for stronger regulation under the International Telecommunications Regulations (ITR) treaty later this year could seriously impair the spirit of innovation behind the success of the internet and could have major implication for Asean, internet and telecoms experts have warned. http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/308481/showdown-looms-over-global-internet-regulatio ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** New gTLD Update for Applicants This week we have updates on several aspects of the new gTLD program that you should be aware of, and here they are: http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-3-20aug12-en.htm http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-20aug12-en Roadmap for Processing New gTLD Applications STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: In June 2012 ICANN published close to 2,000 applications for new gTLDs. The processing of these applications consists broadly of two phases: Evaluation followed by Pre-delegation steps, then Delegation. http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-17aug12-en New gTLD Program Maintenance Windows We want to ensure that new gTLD applicants and others interested in the program have access to ICANN services when they want them. That means minimizing interruptions to perform routine maintenance on our systems ? two hours, twice a week. http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-15aug12-en Call for Expressions of Interest for 2012-2013 NomCom Chair ICANN is immediately seeking expressions of interest for the 2012-2013 Nominating Committee (NomCom) Chair. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-20aug12-en.htm Update to DNS Risk Management Framework Consultant RFP ? Responses to Questions Received On 16 July, ICANN published a request for proposals for an expert consultant to assist ICANN with the development of a DNS Risk Management Framework. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-20aug12-en.htm Letter from Marilyn Cade, Olivier MJ Cr?pin-Leblond and Steve Metalitz, Chair, GNSO Business Constituency; Chair, At-Large Advisory Committee; President, GNSO Intellectual Property Constituency GNSO Business Constituency, At-Large Advisory Committee, GNSO Intellectual Property Constituency, to Steve Crocker Board Decision to Renew the .com Agreement Without Thick Whois http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/cade-crepin-leblond-metalitz-to-crocker-17aug12-en Letter from George Minardos, Minardos Group to Stephen D. Crocker, ICANN Support for ICANN's New gTLD Program http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/minardos-to-crocker-17aug12-en Letter from Maguy Serad,Senior Director, Contractual Compliance, ICANN, to Phillip Parker, Ynot Domains Corp Notice of Termination http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/serad-to-parker-21aug12-en Constituencies blast ICANN?s ?closed door? Verisign .com contract renewal Three ICANN entities have signed a letter (pdf) blasting ICANN for its ?closed doors? decision to renew the .com agreement with Verisign without requiring thick whois. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/08/21/constituencies-blast-icanns-closed-door-verisign-com-contract-renewal/ ICANN terminates two domain name registrars ICANN?s contract compliance efforts with domain registrars seem to go in fits and starts. The past couple months have been active, and this month the company fully terminated two accredited domain name registrars. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/08/22/icann-terminates-two-domain-name-registrars/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** VeriSign's Future Looks Stable with .com and.net Registries in the Bag VeriSign, primarily known as the authoritative registry for .com and .net gTLDs, also operates a diverse array of network infrastructure, including two of the Internet?s 13 root nameservers and the back-end systems for the .gov, .jobs, and .edu TLDs. http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2012/08/20/verisigns-future-looks-stable-with-com-and-net-registries-in-the-bag/ Kiwi websites vie for awards The GeoNet website and a Maori language iPhone app are among 11 New Zealand finalists in an annual trans-Tasman internet awards showcase. http://www.3news.co.nz/Kiwi-websites-vie-for-awards/tabid/412/articleID/265553/Default.aspx ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** ICANN Posts Tentative Roadmap for the Processing of New gTLD Applications by Philip Corwin ICANN has posted a ?tentative roadmap? for the future direction of the new gTLD program. ... This August 17th notice explains that, now that pre-evaluation ?batching? has been ruled out, the technical limit of adding a maximum of 1,000 domains per year will require the selection of a pre-delegation ?metering? process. The notice provides six separate examples of potential metering techniques but goes on to state that no decision has yet been made, adding: http://internetcommerce.org/Tentative_Roadmap New gTLD hopefuls set aggressive targets for ICANN ICANN should start delegating new gTLDs in the first quarter of next year as previously planned and the Governmental Advisory Committee should work faster. http://domainincite.com/10196-new-gtld-hopefuls-set-aggressive-targets-for-icann ICANN?s Latest gTLD Update: 6 Applications Withdrawn, New Processing Roadmap And Digital Archery Replacements The animals might have gone into Noah?s Ark two-by-two, but it seems applicants for new gTLDs might be withdrawing their applications three-by-three! http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=18463 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/08/21/icanns-latest-gtld-update/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/icanns-latest-gtld-update-6-applications-withdrawn-new-processing-roadmap-and-digital-archery-replacements.html Weighing in on Batching At the end of July, ICANN opened a public comment period to gather input from the community about how it should handle the issue of batching new gTLD applications. gTLD Strategy readers will remember that once Digital Archery met its bitter end during the last ICANN Public Meeting in Prague, the ICANN Board had not yet come up with a fair but feasible solution to the quandary of limiting the number of gTLDs entered into the root to 1,000 in a year. http://www.gtldstrategy.com/policy-updates/weighing-in-on-batching TMCH Tech Summit Kicks Off Today If you read our last gTLD Strategy post, you?re probably sick of hearing about the Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) by now. But today is an important day in the ongoing development and implementation of this aspect of the New gTLD Program. http://www.gtldstrategy.com/technical-details-vendor-advice/tmch-tech-summit-kicks-off-today ICANN expects gTLD application processing to start in December [IDG] ICANN said it would take up to December to come up with a process for handling the large number of applications for gTLDs. http://www.infoworld.com/d/networking/icann-expects-gtld-application-processing-start-in-december-200616 http://www.cio.com/article/714298/ICANN_Expects_gTLD_Applications_Processing_to_Start_December http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9230438/ICANN_expects_gTLD_applications_processing_to_start_December Growing maze of domain name protection A next generation online land grab has commenced with the US ICANN deliberating over applications for new internet domains, but businesses are already starting to count the costs of cyber property prospecting. http://www.afr.com/p/technology/growing_maze_of_domain_name_protection_q82RinW5EKumQXjSU1xF2H Legal challenge to ICM registry?s and ICANN?s .xxx gtld continues ? what are the implications for other gTLD applicants? As we reported in December, two adult entertainment companies filed suit in federal district court in Los Angeles against ICANN and ICM Registry, the sole operator of the .XXX domain name registry. http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=97a8c981-65e1-493c-b291-87f6fc39ca10 http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/legal-challenge-to-icm-registrys-and-ic-60121/ http://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/x/192830/ Generic TLDs and the Legal Rights Objection Last month Class 46 posted a guest piece by Jean-Fran?ois Vanden Eynde (eBrand Services, Luxembourg) on the Public Comment phase of ICANN's new regime for gTLDs. In this piece, Jean-Fran?ois takes readers through the provisions made for Legal Rights Objections. http://www.marques.org/Class46/article.asp?XID=BHA2939 New Broadcast-Related Top Level Domains Proposed to ICANN by Kathy Kleiman As our readers know, the Internet space is changing. Earlier this year ICANN accepted applications for ?new gTLDs.? http://www.commlawblog.com/2012/08/articles/internet/new-broadcastrelated-top-level-domains-proposed-to-icann/ It's Time to Put a Bow on the URS: Our Work is Almost Done by Kathy Kleiman For years our community has struggled with the rules of the URS - the Uniform Rapid Suspension - aimed at taking down the "worst of the worst" domain name registrations in a manner faster and cheaper than its predecessor, the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy - the UDRP. On June 27, in Prague, a diverse group met to discuss the fate of the URS. To my surprise, it was a rare "kumbaya" moment, and that makes it worthy of comment. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120817_its_time_to_put_a_bow_on_the_urs_our_work_is_almost_done/ Surge in demand for .cymru web address Those who have long lobbied for a unique Welsh internet domain name have been heartened by evidence of surging demand for a .cymru web address. David Williamson looks at the appetite for a Welsh presence online. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/08/21/surge-in-demand-for-cymru-web-address-91466-31669944/ ICANN's Boondoggle The group that oversees Internet domain names is shaking things up for no good reason. For details, check out mass.confusion. http://www.technologyreview.com/review/428911/icanns-boondoggle/ M.I.T. Takes Dim View of New gTLDs - Former ICANN Chair Sees No Benefits Whatsoever Though they are essentially a done deal the debate over new gTLDs continues with the Massachusett Institute of Technology's prestigious Technology Review coming down hard on the anti-new gTLD side in a new article by Wade Roush (a former Senior Editor) today. http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2012/dailyposts/20120821.htm Melb IT tells ICANN to clear up its clearinghouse act ICANN?s trademark clearinghouse guidelines for the introduction of gTLDs have been slammed by one of Australia?s largest domain registrars, Melbourne IT. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/08/20/gtld_brand_headache_for_icann/ Melbourne IT Suggests Special Domain Protections For ?High At-Risk Marks? In New gTLD?s Melbourne IT the registrar/brand protection company published a paper that ?makes the case that, despite the current protections ICANN has put in place, there is still a set of High At-Risk Marks (HARM) that remain particularly attractive to unscrupulous persons and organizations who will attempt to register these marks at the second level of new gTLDs?. http://www.thedomains.com/2012/08/20/melbourne-it-suggests-special-domain-protections-for-high-at-risk-marks-in-new-gtlds/ ICANN Publishes RoadMap For New gTLD Applications & First Delegation Request August 2013. ... I reviewed it a few times and its a best case scenario for an application that does not get any formal objections filed, one that doesn?t get early GAC advice against it, one in which there is not another application filed for the same or a confusing similar string. http://www.thedomains.com/2012/08/20/icann-publishes-roadmap-for-new-gtld-applications-first-delegation-request-august-2013/ 6 ways to solve new top level domain ?metering? problem ICANN plans to allow only 1,000 new TLDs into the root per year, and as evenly as possible over a 12 months time span. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/08/18/6-ways-to-solve-new-top-level-domain-metering-problem/ .SKI Applicant StartingDot Already Promoting New gTLD String On Twitter A sponsored tweet appeared in my twitter timeline today from none other than §dot_ski, a Twitter account belonging to StartingDot, one of two applicants for the proposed .Ski gTLD. http://www.domainanimal.com/ski-applicant-startingdot-already-promoting-new-gtld-string-on-twitter/ dotgay Seizes the Future of Internet LGBT Domain Names Rainbow flags. Gay cruises. Logo TV. And now, domain names? If the company dotgay LLC is successful in their bid, they will become the owner of the first Internet domain to provide an online space exclusively for gays that gives back two-thirds of its take to LGBT non-profits. http://www.edgeboston.com/business_finance/corporate/136085/dotgay_seizes_the_future_of_internet_lgbt_domain_names No New TLD Applicants For .Cat, It Already Exists: Meet the Cultural Community of Catalan You learn something new every day as the old saying goes, and that is certainly true of being involved in the domain industry. http://www.domainanimal.com/no-new-tld-applicants-for-cat-it-already-exists-meet-the-cultural-community-of-catalan/ ABA's Take on '.bank': Doug Johnson Says New DNS Will Improve Online Security To help mitigate online fraud, the financial industry is pushing for the oversight of .bank, just one of many new TLDs being pitched to ICANN. http://www.bankinfosecurity.com/abas-take-on-bank-a-5050 Directi looking to raise up to $100M for Dubai-based domain registration arm Radix Dubai-headquartered Radix FZC, a subsidiary of the Directi Group (which houses a group of businesses that develop mass-market Web products) is looking to raise around $50-100 million in funding for its registry operator business, Bhavin Turakhia, founder and CEO of Directi, told Techcircle.in in an exclusive interview. http://techcircle.vccircle.com/500/excl-mumbai-based-directi-looking-to-raise-up-to-100m-for-domain-registration-biz-unit/ Directi Looking To Raise $50 Million-$100 Million For New gTLD?s Auctions According to a story in Vccircle.com, Directi Internet Solutions Pvt Ltd (Directi) is seeking to ?secure a hefty sum between US$ 50 ? 100 Million to fund its subsidiary Radix FZC?. http://www.thedomains.com/2012/08/20/directi-looking-to-raise-50-million-100-million-for-new-gtlds-auctions/ ICANN?s gTLD Protection Policies ... The gTLD application and award process already includes various dispute resolution processes, including an opportunity to oppose an applied-for gTLD before it is delegated and post-delegation dispute resolution procedures. Additionally, the existing Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy will also apply to new gTLDs. http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/icanns-gtld-protection-policies-66527/ Creating a worldwide radio community The International Radio Union (IARU) has expressed public support for the European Broadcasting Union?s (EBU's) application to ICANN to manage the TLD .radio to create a worldwide radio community. http://www.screenafrica.com/page/news/radio/1365971-Creating-a-worldwide-radio-community ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** DDoS and the collateral damage of hacktivism Hacktivism cuts both ways. The biter gets bit, and a war evolves. Where there is war, there are weapons. And where there are weapons, there is collateral damage. There is a hacktivist war around Julian Assange, between his detractors and his defenders ? and there is collateral damage. http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/view/27718/ddos-and-the-collateral-damage-of-hacktivism Do Agencies Already Have the Authority to Issue Critical Infrastructure Protection Regulations? by Bruce Levinson The President and Congress are deliberating how best to ensure appropriate cybersecurity protection for private sector critical infrastructure. Legislative action and Executive Order are both under consideration. It is possible, however, that the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) already has sufficient statutory authority to enact new cybersecurity regulations through the normal notice-and-comment rulemaking process. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120820_agencies_authority_to_issue_critical_infrastructure_protection/ Most cyber attacks fly under our radar: Aussie spy chief Five thousand cyber attacks have been reported to Australia's CERT this year, but the director-general of ASIO says that it's just the tip of the iceberg. http://www.zdnet.com/au/most-cyber-attacks-fly-under-our-radar-aussie-spy-chief-7000002892/ Do Agencies Already Have the Authority to Issue Critical Infrastructure Protection Regulations? by Bruce Levinson The President and Congress are deliberating how best to ensure appropriate cybersecurity protection for private sector critical infrastructure. Legislative action and Executive Order are both under consideration. It is possible, however, that the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) already has sufficient statutory authority to enact new cybersecurity regulations through the normal notice-and-comment rulemaking process. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120820_agencies_authority_to_issue_critical_infrastructure_protection/ Microsoft warns of 'man-in-the-middle' VPN password hack Microsoft yesterday warned Windows users of possible "man-in-the-middle" attacks able to steal passwords for some wireless networks and VPNs, or virtual private networks. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/security/microsoft-warns-of-man-in-the-middle-vpn-password-hack gh: NITA trains MDAs to set up computer emergency response team The National Information Technology Agency (NITA) on Tuesday commenced training for Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) on how to form Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) to provide security for government data. http://www.ghananewsagency.org/details/Science/NITA-trains-MDAs-to-set-up-computer-emergency-response-team/?ci=8&ai=47992 Melbourne IT finds 'opportunity' in AAPT data breach Melbourne IT is busy securing servers after customer AAPT was breached by Anonymous, the company's CEO, Theo Hnarakis, said in a conference call about its first-half 2012 results. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/434117/melbourne_it_finds_opportunity_aapt_data_breach/ http://www.cio.com.au/article/434117/melbourne_it_finds_opportunity_aapt_data_breach/ Melbourne IT reports "horrendous" SMB sales Melbourne IT has reported a ?horrendous? SMB result in its first half of 2012, in what the company?s CEO admitted was a ?mixed bag? result. http://www.crn.com.au/News/312623,melbourne-it-reports-horrendous-smb-sales.aspx Melbourne IT runs microscope over servers, backdoors Melbourne IT has resolved to improve security processes for its clients, inviting in security specialists to "forensically review" the company's procedures and infrastructure to eliminate any potential weaknesses. http://www.itnews.com.au/News/312640,melbourne-it-runs-microscope-over-servers-backdoors.aspx Melbourne IT: we didn't lose one customer over AAPT hack Melbourne IT might have been an "unintended victim" of Anonymous' decision to hack AAPT servers hosted by Melbourne IT, but its customers are staying with it, according to the firm's managing director. http://www.zdnet.com/au/melbourne-it-we-didnt-lose-one-customer-over-aapt-hack-7000002907/ ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** US Seizes Three Domains Involved In Illegal Distribution Of Android Apps Three domain names were seized as part of an enforcement action taken by the FBI to prevent the infringement of copyrighted mobile device apps. It was the first time domains involving mobile phone app marketplaces have been seized. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=18485 http://www.telconews.com/2012/08/22/seizes-three-domains/ http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/08/23/seizes-three-domains/ US seizes Android app piracy sites in copyright crackdown The US authorities have blocked access to three websites offering pirated copies of Android apps. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19347543 In A First, DOJ Seizes Illegal Phone App Download Websites Put down the mobile phone app and step away from your computer. The U.S. Department of Justice, in a first for the agency, said Tuesday it shut three Websites that allegedly catered to customers seeking illegal copies of copyrighted apps for the Android-based mobile devices and seized the domain names: applanet.net, appbucket.net and snappzmarket.com. http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2012/08/22/in-a-first-doj-seizes-illegal-phone-app-download-websites/ Android App Websites Seized in the U.S. for Alleged Copyright Violations [IDG] U.S. law enforcement officials said on Tuesday that three websites that were allegedly distributing illegal copies of copyrighted Android cell phone apps had been seized in what is described as the first such operation against cellphone apps marketplaces. http://www.cio.com/article/714436/Android_App_Websites_Seized_in_the_U.S._for_Alleged_Copyright_Violations http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9230499/Android_app_websites_seized_in_the_U.S._for_alleged_copyright_violations Federal Courts Order Seizure of Three Website Domains Involved in Distributing Pirated Android Cell Phone Apps - First Time Website Domains Involving Cell Phone App Marketplaces Are Seized [news release] Seizure orders have been executed against three website domain names engaged in the illegal distribution of copies of copyrighted Android cell phone apps, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Department of Justice?s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates of the Northern District of Georgia and Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Lamkin of the FBI?s Atlanta Field Office announced today. The department said that this is the first time website domains involving cell phone app marketplaces have been seized. http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2012/August/12-crm-1033.html ISP has to block 25 domains promoting counterfeit goods, Dutch judge rules [IDG] AltusHost, an ISP based in Belize, has to take 25 domains offline that are used to sell and promote counterfeit fashion goods, a court in The Hague ruled Tuesday. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/261260/isp_has_to_block_25_domains_promoting_counterfeit_goods_dutch_judge_rules.html http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/434300/isp_has_block_25_domains_promoting_counterfeit_goods_dutch_judge_rules/ http://www.cio.com/article/714480/ISP_Has_to_Block_25_Domains_Promoting_Counterfeit_Goods_Dutch_Judge_Rules UDRP panelists don?t do their job deciding reverse domain name hijacking Panelists don?t always consider RDNH when asked, and both WIPO and NAF don?t seem to care. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/08/20/arbitration-reverse-domain-name-hijacking/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Task Force releases ?metrics? report, highlighting state of IPv6 in New Zealand The New Zealand IPv6 Task Force has today released its latest ?metrics? report, showing the state and extent of the nation?s IPv6 Internet. http://www.ipv6.org.nz/2012/08/22/task-force-releases-metrics-report-highlighting-state-of-ipv6-in-new-zealand/ Popular NZ sites disappoint on IPv6 support The IPv6 Task Force?s latest report records continued, if slow progress in New Zealand?s support of the expanded internet protocol, but disappointingly none of the most-visited .nz sites, such as media and banks, is available over IPv6 yet. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/popular-nz-sites-disappoint-on-ipv6-support us: How the Air Force Is Flying Toward IPv6 The United States Air Force is one very high-tech organization, and we?re not just talking about jet fighters. The Air Force?s latest mission is a high-stakes, high-speed migration to Internet Protocol v6 (IPv6). Chances are most corporate networks aren?t as extensive or complex as the Air Force?s, but the service?s planning operations offer worthwhile lessons for many organizations. http://www.readwriteweb.com/enterprise/2012/08/how-the-air-force-is-flying-toward-ipv6.php How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love IPv6 There were more than 50 people in the room, so it was hot and airless, and it smelled of stale sweat. Government-sponsored crisis posters, tatty and torn, were sticky-taped to the yellowish walls. One urged its readers: 'Don't let your selfishness come between little Johnny and his Wikipedia', another enquired: 'Do you NATter with your Neighbours? Don't squander the nation's resource!' http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/08/21/verity_stob_ipv6/ A safe transition to IPv6 After years of discussion and planning, the transition to Internet Protocol version 6, or IPv6 finally began in earnest this year, and in Australia's case the move couldn't have come any faster. However, like most initiatives that come loaded with promise, the trick now is to ensure that the transition to IPv6 actually meets expectations. http://technologyspectator.com.au/safe-transition-ipv6 ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** New Book Gives A Beginners Guide To Domain Registration Have you ever encountered someone who wants to register a domain name, but you don't have the time to explain how to go about it? Or even not sure about how to do it yourself and what the options are? A new book has now been published, electronically only for now, by domain name professional Steve Gobin that covers all the issues. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=18478 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/08/22/beginners-guide-to-domain-registration/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/new-book-gives-a-beginners-guide-to-domain-registration.html Bulgarian domain show returns for second year Domain Forum, the Bulgarian conference on new gTLDs that ran in Sofia late last year, is to return. http://domainincite.com/10203-bulgarian-domain-show-returns-for-second-year Are all the .coms really all .gone? This article in Forbes contends that all of the .coms, or at least those of reasonable length, are used up. The article also contends that the best solution to the perceived lack of .com global TLDs is to use a .me extension, which got me thinking of ICANN?s announcement back in June that it had received almost 2,000 requests for generic TLDs for categories such as .hotel, .web and .blog. http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/81267 Of Darker Domains and Dark Registrars When popular service DomainTools recently reported on the issue of dark domains ? domain registrations not configured with name servers at the TLD registry and thus not published to the TLD zone files - they cited the example of Spectrum.com. http://www.domainanimal.com/of-darker-domains-and-dark-registrars/ German firm threatens to publish IP addresses of alleged porn pirates A German law firm representing pornography publishers is threatening to publicly embarrass those it has accused of infringing its clients' works by publishing their contact information on its website. Der Spiegel reports (the news story includes a NSFW image) that the firm of Urmann and Colleagues (U+C) has warned on its website that it will begin publishing the information on September 1. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/08/german-firm-threatens-to-publish-ip-addresses-of-alleged-porn-pirates/ A Look at the History of Internet Domains: Infographic What?s the story behind ?www? and ?dot-com?? Where did they come from and what purpose do they serve? http://www.dailydealmedia.com/789a-look-at-the-history-of-internet-domains-infographic/ Monte Cahn settles lawsuit against Oversee.net Moniker.com founder Monte Cahn has dismissed his lawsuit against Oversee.net regarding money he said he was owed under a bonus plan. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/08/21/monte-cahn-settles-lawsuit-oversee-net/ Visiting Flippa in Melbourne, Australia Behind every internet company there are some bricks and mortar. Here?s where Flippa lives. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/08/21/visiting-flippa-in-melbourne-australia/ ********************** - WEBHOSTING ********************** Web Host ResellerClub to Hold Inaugural RC Hosting Summit in India Indian web hosting provider ResellerClub announced earlier this month that it will host the first-ever The RC Hosting Summit, a dedicated conference for the web hosting community in India, on November 1st and 2nd in Mumbai, India. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/web-host-resellerclub-to-hold-inaugural-rc-hosting-summit-in-india Web Host Go Daddy Launches VPS Reseller Hosting Web hosting provider Go Daddy launched reseller hosting on Monday for web designers and developers to develop a new revenue channel. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/web-host-go-daddy-launches-vps-reseller-hosting ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** nz: 'H' man to Herald: $10,000 and the domain is yours Yesterday, as the Herald said it would move to an "H" masthead for its newspaper and website, NBR ONLINE wondered if this made the web address H.co.nz more desirable to publisher APN. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/h-man-herald-10000-and-domain-yours-ck-126177 Bizarre political domain names fetch big bucks at auction How much is owning a website called "UnicornsForRomney.com" or "Brobama.com" worth to you? In the current cycle of expired domain names being auctioned at GoDaddy.com, they're up for $800 and $49,358 respectively along with hundreds of other politically-derived URLs spanning the spectrum from congratulatory to downright obscene. http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2012/08/bizarre-political-domain-names-fetch-big-bucks-at-auction.html How browser changes are making a dent in direct navigation traffic Last week I wrote about how Sedo?s domain name parking business continues to struggle. The company cites a few reasons for the decline, including ?advances made in browser technologies, which alters the circumstances surrounding monetization in the parking business?. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/08/20/how-browser-changes-are-making-a-dent-in-direct-navigation-traffic/ Sedo Sells Another High End Domain Extending Industry's Six-Figure Sales Streak to Five Weeks The domain industry's six-figure sales streak is still alive. Sedo kept it going this week by closing a deal for Bra.com at $165,000 in a transaction handled by their Senior Sales and Brokerage Consultant Dave Evanson. This is the fifth straight week that a six-figure sale has been posted and Dave was the broker behind three of those high end deals with Metal.com ($140,000) and Designers.com ($118,000) preceding his Bra.com sale. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2012/20120822.htm With 2012 T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Conference 48 Days Away Organizers Unveil a Revamped Website Aimed at Attracting End Users The current iteration of the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. conference website (designed by Danny Pryor) was first unveiled last year to highlight the Florida oceanfront flavor of the conference's new location at the Ritz Carlton on Fort Lauderdale Beach where the 2011 show was held last October. http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2012/dailyposts/20120820.htm Sedo Halts Demonoid Domain Name Sale Citing 'Legal Issues' Demonoid domain names that were put up for sale last week have been de-listed by domain marketplace Sedo.com because of 'legal issues'. Trouble for the popular bittorrent web site started sometime during the last week of July when it was rendered inaccessible following DDoS attacks after which it started serving malware laden ads. http://www.allyourtv.com/index.php/latestnews/1161-sedo-halts-demonoid-domain-name-sale-citing-legal-issues ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Americans are exchanging ever more words How will we consume words in a few decades' time? To answer that question, the McKinsey Global Institute, the in-house think-tank of the eponymous consultancy, looked at trends in communication in America since 1900. It compared not only communication technologies with each other, but with speech and traditional mail. http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2012/08/daily-chart-5 Google vs. God: What?s causing all these Hasidic Jews to flee their community? Smartphones. Once upon a time?say, in the 1990s?a Hasidic Jew looking for escape from her blinkered world might have gone to the library. But by the time F. Vizel, a Satmar Hasid, learned that the public library existed at the age of 20, she?d already made a far more critical discovery. She?d found the Internet. http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2012/08/hasidic_jews_and_the_internet_a_bad_combination_.html 119 million Americans lack broadband Internet, FCC reports The US is a long way from its goal of making broadband Internet available to all 314 million Americans. In its third annual broadband progress report, the Federal Communications Commission says 19 million Americans have no option to buy fixed broadband Internet service, and an additional 100 million Americans that do live in areas where broadband is available are not subscribers. http://arstechnica.com/business/2012/08/119-million-americans-lack-broadband-internet-fcc-reports/ ********************** SOCIAL MEDIA ********************** Social media and online comments 'causing writers to self-censor' Instant feedback via social networking sites such as Twitter is encouraging a culture of self-censorship that threatens to stifle literary endeavour, the multi-award-winning author Patrick Ness has said. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/aug/21/social-media-stifle-literary-endeavour ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* us: Web Sites Accused of Collecting Data on Children A coalition of nearly 20 children?s advocacy, health and public interest groups plans to file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday, asserting that some online marketing to children by McDonald?s and four other well-known companies violates a federal law protecting children?s privacy. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/22/business/media/web-sites-accused-of-collecting-data-on-children.html Groups lodge FTC complaints over childrens' online privacy [IDG] A coalition of 17 advocacy groups filed complaints on Wednesday with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission against five prominent companies, including McDonald's, claiming that certain of their online marketing practices violate child privacy laws. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/434287/groups_lodge_ftc_complaints_over_childrens_online_privacy/ http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/082212-groups-lodge-ftc-complaints-over-261846.html nz: Facebook blamed for student 'mob assault' Students at a Rotorua high school are being warned to walk home in groups and to have mobile phones on hand after an alleged mob assault. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10828956 nz: Techday Friday Teaser ... 15. What is the estimated cost of online cyber attacks in New Zealand this year, according to NetSafe? http://www.techday.co.nz/netguide/news/techday-friday-teaser/24452/ au: Nick Duigan in plea to stamp out bullying CARLTON star Nick Duigan has issued an urgent plea for more to be done to protect children from bullying. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/nick-duigan-in-plea-to-stamp-out-bullying/story-e6frf7kx-1226454740197 Facebook accused of being lax on child porn Facebook has been accused of allowing child pornography to proliferate thanks to a new meme in which users, some of them underaged, are encouraged to post naked pictures of themselves on the social media platform. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/facebook-accused-of-being-lax-on-child-porn-20120820-24i5v.html nz: Law Commission - Law Must Adapt To Harmful Digital Communication New Zealanders who are victims of serious personal attacks in cyber-space will have accessto a specialist Communications Tribunal with the power to issue takedown orders and toreveal the identities of anonymous offenders if the Law Commission?s latestrecommendations to Government are adopted. http://www.lawfuel.co.nz/releases/412/law-commission-law-must-adapt-to-harmful-digital-communication ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** How Hollywood Is Encouraging Online Piracy: The death of the DVD is pushing users to piracy Face it, movie fans: the DVD is destined to be dead as a doornail. Only a few Blockbuster stores are still open. Netflix's CEO says, ?We expect DVD subscribers to decline steadily every quarter, forever.? The latest laptops don't even come with DVD slots. So where are film enthusiasts suppose to rent their flicks? Online, of course. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-hollywood-encouraging-onine-piracy Fact's victory over Surfthechannel is a decisive blow in the copyright wars Anton Vickerman probably didn't want to enter the history books in this way. As the founder of surfthechannel.com, a website that provided links to TV and film content ? in a significant number of cases, unlicensed and illicit ? the 38-year-old last week became the first person in Britain to be jailed for running a site linking to pirate material. He was jailed for four years after a private prosecution brought by the Federation Against Copyright Theft, AKA Fact, funded by the TV and film industries. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/19/fact-victory-surfthechannel-decisive-blow au: Another round set on online piracy THE Attorney-General's Department has scheduled another round of industry talks to tackle online piracy as the negotiations drag past their first anniversary without a result. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/government/another-round-set-on-online-piracy/story-fn4htb9o-1226454422006 ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** US seizes Android app piracy sites in copyright crackdown The US authorities have blocked access to three websites offering pirated copies of Android apps. The Department of Justice said it was the "first time website domains involving cell phone app marketplaces have been seized". http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19347543 In A First, DOJ Seizes Illegal Phone App Download Websites Put down the mobile phone app and step away from your computer. http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2012/08/22/in-a-first-doj-seizes-illegal-phone-app-download-websites/ Android App Websites Seized in the U.S. for Alleged Copyright Violations [IDG] U.S. law enforcement officials said on Tuesday that three websites that were allegedly distributing illegal copies of copyrighted Android cell phone apps had been seized in what is described as the first such operation against cellphone apps marketplaces. http://www.cio.com/article/714436/Android_App_Websites_Seized_in_the_U.S._for_Alleged_Copyright_Violations http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9230499/Android_app_websites_seized_in_the_U.S._for_alleged_copyright_violations Federal Courts Order Seizure of Three Website Domains Involved in Distributing Pirated Android Cell Phone Apps - First Time Website Domains Involving Cell Phone App Marketplaces Are Seized [news release] Seizure orders have been executed against three website domain names engaged in the illegal distribution of copies of copyrighted Android cell phone apps, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Department of Justice?s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates of the Northern District of Georgia and Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Lamkin of the FBI?s Atlanta Field Office announced today. The department said that this is the first time website domains involving cell phone app marketplaces have been seized. http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2012/August/12-crm-1033.html The Number One Smartphone Use? Checking The Weather, According To One Study ... According to a recent study from Online Publishing Associates (OPA), 29 percent of smartphone owners get local news from their phones, while 31 percent use these devices to watch videos. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/21/the-number-one-use-smartphone_n_1818632.html Mobile users prefer Wi-Fi over cellular for lower cost, speed, reliability Smartphone and tablet users prefer using Wi-Fi over cellular connections, and consider Wi-Fi cheaper, faster, easier to use, more reliable and, even, slightly more secure than cellular. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9230398/Mobile_users_prefer_Wi_Fi_over_cellular_for_lower_cost_speed_reliability_ Apple v Samsung patent trial: how the jurors can decide So you got the gig as a member of the jury on the Apple-Samsung trial. It's been a blast so far: big names such as, well, perhaps not, but Phil Schiller, Apple's longtime head of marketing has testified, and Scott Forstall, head of the iPhone and iPad software division, as well as members of Apple's design decision. Samsung has also had designers on hand, though more of the time has been spent with expert witnesses. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/22/apple-samsung-patent-dispute Judge gives instructions to Apple-Samsung jury before closing arguments After three weeks of arguments, the jury in the high-stakes patent dispute between Apple and Samsung has finally been given its instructions on what, exactly, jurors should be deciding in the high-stakes case. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/judge-gives-instructions-to-apple-samsung-jury-before-closing-arguments/2012/08/21/e855ffba-ebb0-11e1-9ddc-340d5efb1e9c_story.html Apple Samsung patent trial: closing arguments delivered Closing arguments have been delivered in the US patent trial between the two biggest smartphone-makers in the world, Samsung and Apple. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19340229 Apple-Samsung patent jury face a daunting task The nine-strong jury in the high-profile patent trial between Apple and Samsung faces the daunting task of ploughing through 109 pages of instructions on how to determine their verdict and a 20-page form in which to give it. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/21/jury-apple-samsung-patent-trial German Pirates take battle for right to mobile anonymity to European Court of Human Rights Members of Germany's Pirate Party, Piraten Partei, are protesting against the ban on sales of anonymous pre-paid SIM cards in the country. http://www.zdnet.com/german-pirates-take-battle-for-right-to-mobile-anonymity-to-european-court-of-human-rights-7000002923/ ********************** DIGITAL DIVIDE ********************** Reining in internet will only widen global digital divide This year could be an important turning point in the history of the internet. A meeting scheduled for December will determine if the globally connected network of networks continues to be a source of robust economic growth, particularly in the developing world; or if a new, great digital divide will emerge, one that benefits wealthy European nations and begins to leave Southeast Asia behind. http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/308480/reining-in-internet-will-only-widen-global-digital-divide ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** Australia set to join Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime The adoption of the Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 will pave the way for Australia to join the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime, according to Federal Attorney-General Nicola Roxon. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/434229/australia_set_join_council_europe_convention_cybercrime/ Why passwords have never been weaker?and crackers have never been stronger In late 2010, Sean Brooks received three e-mails over a span of 30 hours warning that his accounts on LinkedIn, Battle.net, and other popular websites were at risk. He was tempted to dismiss them as hoaxes?until he noticed they included specifics that weren't typical of mass-produced phishing scams. The e-mails said that his login credentials for various Gawker websites had been exposed by hackers who rooted the sites' servers, then bragged about it online; if Brooks used the same e-mail and password for other accounts, they would be compromised too. http://arstechnica.com/security/2012/08/passwords-under-assault/ ********************** SECURITY ********************** Do Agencies Already Have the Authority to Issue Critical Infrastructure Protection Regulations? by Bruce Levinson The President and Congress are deliberating how best to ensure appropriate cybersecurity protection for private sector critical infrastructure. Legislative action and Executive Order are both under consideration. It is possible, however, that the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) already has sufficient statutory authority to enact new cybersecurity regulations through the normal notice-and-comment rulemaking process. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120820_agencies_authority_to_issue_critical_infrastructure_protection/ Most cyber attacks fly under our radar: Aussie spy chief Five thousand cyber attacks have been reported to Australia's CERT this year, but the director-general of ASIO says that it's just the tip of the iceberg. http://www.zdnet.com/au/most-cyber-attacks-fly-under-our-radar-aussie-spy-chief-7000002892/ Do Agencies Already Have the Authority to Issue Critical Infrastructure Protection Regulations? by Bruce Levinson The President and Congress are deliberating how best to ensure appropriate cybersecurity protection for private sector critical infrastructure. Legislative action and Executive Order are both under consideration. It is possible, however, that the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) already has sufficient statutory authority to enact new cybersecurity regulations through the normal notice-and-comment rulemaking process. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120820_agencies_authority_to_issue_critical_infrastructure_protection/ Microsoft warns of 'man-in-the-middle' VPN password hack Microsoft yesterday warned Windows users of possible "man-in-the-middle" attacks able to steal passwords for some wireless networks and VPNs, or virtual private networks. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/security/microsoft-warns-of-man-in-the-middle-vpn-password-hack gh: NITA trains MDAs to set up computer emergency response team The National Information Technology Agency (NITA) on Tuesday commenced training for Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) on how to form Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) to provide security for government data. http://www.ghananewsagency.org/details/Science/NITA-trains-MDAs-to-set-up-computer-emergency-response-team/?ci=8&ai=47992 ********************** PRIVACY ********************** Opinion: The Corporate Surveillance State: How the Thought Police Use Your Cell Phone to Track Your Every Move Advanced technology now provides government agents and police officers with the ability to track our every move. The surveillance state is our new society. It is here, and it is spying on you, your family and your friends every day. Worse yet, those in control are using life's little conveniences, namely cell phones, to do much of the spying. And worst of all, the corporations who produce these little conveniences are happy to hand your personal information over to the police so long as their profit margins increase. To put it simply, the corporate-surveillance state is in full effect, and there is nowhere to hide. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-w-whitehead/corporate-surveillance_b_1810546.html ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Internet Analysts Question India?s Efforts to Stem Panic The Indian government?s efforts to stem a weeklong panic among some ethnic minorities has again put it at odds with Internet companies like Google, Facebook and Twitter. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/22/business/global/internet-analysts-question-indias-efforts-to-stem-panic.html India blocks several sites amid northeast exodus crisis Government moves to block over 250 sites said to contain content doctored to incite Muslim retaliation on people originating from India's northeast, which spurred frenzied exodus of the latter. http://www.zdnet.com/in/india-blocks-several-sites-amid-northeast-exodus-crisis-7000002899/ India seeks U.S., Saudi help to identify cyberspace offenders Indian government is seeking help from the United States and Saudi Arabia governments to identify those who put on cyberspace doctored images that led to the exodus of the country's Northeast people from various Indian cities, reported local daily Hindustan Times on Wednesday. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-08/22/c_131800615.htm India cracks down on Internet after communal violence India pressed social media websites including Facebook and Twitter on Tuesday to remove "inflammatory" content it said helped spread rumours that caused an exodus of migrants from some Indian cities last week. http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/08/21/india-violence-internet-twitter-assam-fa-idINDEE87K09Z20120821 http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/08/21/india-violence-internet-idUKL4E8JL44T20120821 http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/7527588/India-cracks-down-on-Internet-after-violence ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** European ISPs defend U.N. Internet tax European network providers today defended their proposal submitted to a United Nations body that would allow them to levy fees on content providers including Google, Facebook, Apple, and Netflix. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57496581-38/european-isps-defend-u.n-internet-tax/ New Australian law to control cyber data New laws will allow authorities to collect and monitor Australians' internet records, including their web-browsing history, social media activity and emails. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/new-law-to-control-cyber-data-20120822-24mur.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/new-law-to-control-cyber-data-20120822-24mur.html http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/7534640/New-Australian-law-to-control-cyber-data au: Copyright stuck in horse and buggy era Search engines such as Google and popular cloud computing services may have been "sued out of existence" if they started in Australia, while consumers who make remixes or mash-ups of copyright songs and videos are also breaching the law. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/copyright-stuck-in-horse-and-buggy-era-20120821-24jrl.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/copyright-stuck-in-horse-and-buggy-era-20120821-24jrl.html ********************** MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Misleading and incomplete coverage of Apple?s ?record? value - Microsoft?s 1999 market cap still, by far, bigger ... Apple is not the biggest or most valuable company in history?not by a longshot. That?s because the press is overlooking reality for the apparently irresistible pull of a headline that includes ?Apple? and ?record??pageview gold. http://www.cjr.org/the_audit/misleading_and_incomplete_cove.php Apple manufacturer Foxconn improves on Chinese workers' hours and safety Foxconn, Apple's top manufacturer, has improved safety conditions and cut working hours in an effort to resolve violations at its plants that triggered a global scandal for the iPad and iPhone maker. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/21/apple-manufacturer-foxconn-improves-safety Apple, Foxconn improve China plants, but more to do - audit Apple Inc and Foxconn have improved working conditions at Chinese factories that make most of the world's iPads and iPhones, according to auditors the firms enlisted to monitor the process, but tough tasks lie ahead. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/08/22/uk-apple-foxconn-idUKBRE87K11F20120822 http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/08/22/apple-foxconn-idINDEE87L00Z20120822 ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** cn/tw: New undersea cables to boost cross-Strait communication The first undersea telecommunication cables linking Taiwan and the Chinese mainland started operating on Tuesday, the primary company behind the project said. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sci/2012-08/21/c_131799170.htm uk: Jeremy Hunt pledges fastest broadband network in Europe by 2015 Jeremy Hunt has pledged to give creative industries a shot in the arm by ensuring Britain has the fastest broadband network of any major European country by 2015. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/20/jeremy-hunt-broadband-fastest-pledge UK aims for the fastest broadband in Europe by 2015 The U.K.'s culture secretary Jeremy Hunt wants Britain to have the fastest broadband in Europe by 2015. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57497017-93/uk-aims-for-the-fastest-broadband-in-europe-by-2015/ Everything Everywhere gets 4G go-ahead from Ofcom Telecoms regulator Ofcom has allowed Everything Everywhere, the owner of the Orange and T-Mobile networks, to use its existing bandwidth to launch fourth-generation (4G) mobile services. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19328653 4G licence agreed for Everything Everywhere Everything Everywhere, owner of the T-Mobile and Orange mobile phone networks, is to drop its widely criticised name as a consumer brand in a marketing makeover this year. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/aug/21/4g-licence-everything-everywhere Ofcom allows Everything Everywhere to use existing spectrum for 4G [news release] Ofcom has today approved an application by the mobile phone operator Everything Everywhere (EE) to use its existing 1800 MHz spectrum to deliver 4G services. http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2012/08/21/ofcom-allows-everything-everywhere-to-use-existing-spectrum-for-4g/ Chinese telecoms company keeps Syria connected to the Internet, research firm says [AP] A firm that tracks the pathways of the Internet says a Chinese company is keeping war-torn Syria connected to the Internet as other telecommunications companies withdraw. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/chinese-telecoms-company-keeps-syria-connected-to-the-internet-research-firm-says/2012/08/21/c49b8c20-ebb5-11e1-866f-60a00f604425_story.html New Zealand's broadband muddle New Zealand's broadband network has been held up as an example for Australia. But is it as good as some might think? http://www.zdnet.com/au/new-zealands-broadband-muddle-7000003032/ Australian and NZ govs want cheaper mobile roaming prices The Australian and New Zealand governments are looking to exert pressure on telcos to reduce the cost of mobile roaming charges between the two countries. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/434339/australian_nz_govs_want_cheaper_mobile_roaming_prices/ Australian telcos keep 2G for now Australian wireless operators said they have no near-term plans to end 2G service as AT&T has announced in the US. However, Telstra said there would be a ?smooth transition? if does decide to end 2G. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/434000/australian_telcos_keep_2g_now/ nz: Government backing needed to avoid 'world's fastest intranet' The Government needs to step in fast to revive a scheme to build a high-speed telecommunications link out of New Zealand or we risk only ever having a single connection, says an industry commentator. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10828702 ------ David Goldstein email: david at goldsteinreport.com web: http://goldsteinreport.com/ http://davidgoldstein.tel/ phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/home "Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim FlanneryReceived on Thu Aug 23 2012 - 05:34:44 UTC
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