Tech Stream

Tech Stream 043

12 March 2010

Listen and download: MP3

A new type of solar module promising greater efficiency and reduced costs. Image from Technique Solar.

This week in the Tech Stream, the latest on the National Broadband Network in Australia. We’ll find out why there is opposition to the government’s plan to split Telstra, which it argues is essential to creating a more level playing field.  A new undersea internet cable is being built to link New Zealand and the US, but could it also connect countries in the Pacific along the way?

We’ll shine a light on new solar panels, developed in Australia, that promise to be more efficient and cheaper to produce than current technology.  And an update on the Mariposa botnet and calls for computer manufacturers to be held responsible for selling products vulnerable to attacks from cyber criminals.  Finally Bajo joins us with a review of the multiplayer-focused war-game Battlefield: Bad Company 2.  Full details after the jump, or follow the MP3 link above to hear the program.

Joining us to chat about the National Broadband Network and the  division of Telstra is independent telecommunications analyst Paul Budde.  You can read of Paul’s thoughts on his blog at buddeblog.com.au. Lateline Business on ABC TV covered the news that the Senate could block legislation aimed to split Telstra, which resulted in a rise in the telco’s share price.  Liam Tang from ZDNET speculates on what might be in the $25m NBN implementation study the government commissioned but have refused to release.

To find out more about plans for a new undersea internet cable linking Australia and New Zealand to the United States we speak with the Mark Rushworth. He’s one of the co-founders of a new company called Pacific Fibre which is behind the idea to build the 13,000 kilometre cable from LA to Auckland.

Dan Taylor from Technique Solar, the company marketing a new, highly efficient solar panel spoke with Jon Faine from 774 ABC Local Radio in Melbourne. The original interview and more information is on their website.

We then hear more about calls by a security analyst to make it illegal for computer manufacturers to sell products that are vulnerable to attacks from cyber criminals.  The idea came up in response to the arrest in Spain last week of three of the alleged ringleaders running one of the world’s biggest networks of zombie computers.  Ashley Hall’s report first aired this week on The World Today, where you can find a transcript and the original audio.  We hear from Keith Murphy from Canadian security firm Defence Intelligence and Bill Caelli, professor emeritus in the Information Security Institute at the Queensland University of Technology.

Finally we have Steven O’Donnell, aka Bajo from Good Game on ABC TV with his review of the first person shooter Battlefield: Bad Company 2 which is released for the PS3, XBox and PC.