The Trollope of Australian telecommunications

Trevor Barr's page-turner of a novel Grand Intentions tackles the ugly side of the neo-liberalism sweeping Australia in the 1990s and 2000s.  It examines the privatisation of an incumbent telecommunications carrier, and the drastic impact of its imported US corporate culture on several individuals. He deploys a cast of plausible fictional characters while allowing the narrative to be driven by an echo of real events in the Australian telecommunications industry.

Vibration Measurements

Two historic papers from the Journal in 1969 that provide unique examples of vibration measurements in the field, verify reality and discredit some conventional wisdoms in the field of cable installation.

Vibration Measurements

Two historic papers from the Journal in 1969 that provide unique examples of vibration measurements in the field, verify reality and discredit some conventional wisdoms in the field of cable installation.

Some Thoughts about Australian Telecoms

Australia is facing numerous challenges in its attempt to upgrade its telecom infrastructure. This paper summarises the little-known and even less understood history of telecom development in the USA. The authors believe this may provide useful ideas for Australian telecom policy and development that have not yet been considered. 

Radio Telephone Surveying the Traditional Way

Radio telephone surveying at the end of World War 2 was physically challenging, as well as technically demanding. The historic paper describes the extraordinary challenges faced by technical and lines personnel conducting propagation measurements for a radio telephone link from Victoria to Tasmania between 1947 and 1949. 

The Bombing of Darwin

19 February 2017 marks the 75th anniversary of the first Japanese air raid on Darwin, the capital of Australia?s Northern Territory and its gateway to Asia. The first bombing raid targeted the flotilla of ships in the harbour and key infrastructure such as telecommunications, severing the vulnerable north of Australia from the rest of the country. But the severance was short-lived, thanks to the efforts of dedicated staff of the Postmaster-General?s Department who worked tirelessly under...

Impending Media Review

In the March 2016 issue papers cover a range of topics that include the UK BBC charter review, film and television being affected by Internet clich?s and an interesting look at digital currencies. Two historical articles on the bombing of Darwin and radio telephone surveying provide interesting reading about past telecommunications challenges.

TransACT's foundation and initial rollout

TransACT (2000- ) introduced Australia's first VDSL network, offering a 'triple play' of voice, data (e.g. Internet access), broadcast and video-on-demand services in Australia's capital city, Canberra, in competition with the incumbent carrier Telstra. TransACT's founding Chief Architect, Robin Eckermann, reminisces on the founding of TransACT and some of the lessons to be learned from this fore-runner of the National Broadband Network (NBN).

The Victorian Time Signal Service

A 1945 technical paper from the Telecommunications Journal of Australia is revisited that describes the timing and signalling equipment used at the Melbourne Observatory between 1853 and 1945. The equipment was used to provide the Victorian Time Signal Service for over ninety years.

Telegraphy and the downfall of the Kelly Gang

Four historical vignettes are provided from the period 1875 to 1880 from the Proceedings of the Telegraph Electrical Society of Victoria ? the lineal antecedent of today?s TelSoc (Australian Telecommunications Society).