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IAA is a Great Place to Work Certified

It’s official! IAA is a Great Place to Work.

We’re delighted to announce that we have been awarded Great Place to Work® Certification. We now feature on the Great Place to Work portal, where you can learn more. We will wear this new badge with pride as a sign of a positive employee experience. In receiving this accreditation, we join the ranks of Cisco, Google and American Express. Great Place to Work is a globally recognised employee validation program.

On our first attempt at achieving certification, we received an impressive 86% overall satisfaction score. This score is based on a comprehensive employee survey and a detailed questionnaire about our workplace. Because employee feedback and independent analysis determine the scores, our certification can give future employees confidence that we genuinely offer a great company culture.

Hiring and retaining talent has never been more important or more challenging for all employers, so earning this certification means a lot to us.  We aim to be an employer of choice and foster a healthy workplace culture.

Undergoing the Great Place to Work assessment gave us some real insights into what we’re doing well and some opportunities to improve.

Comments from team members included:

“Excellent flexibility working from home, and ample opportunity to attend to outside of work commitments and requirements and make up the work later when it suits.”

“As a relatively small team, everyone is very busy but still happy to help each other out. We have lots of opportunities to grow in the industry, such as participating in industry forums and conferences.”

“Genuine flexibility and care from the management. Know how and understanding of the Internet and industry. Our status and respect as a trusted player in the industry.”

Of course, we are always looking ways we can be even better and look forward to repeating the process annually so that we can keep track of our progress. In this way, you can always be confident that creating a safe and happy workplace is at the heart of everything we do.

If you or someone you know are looking for a progressive and proactive place to work, check out our latest career opportunities on our website.

Our success in achieving Great Place to Work Certification is all thanks to our awesome team. Each and every one of them has contributed to making this possible and we’re pleased to share their achievement with you.

INTERNET ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES NEW 400GBPS PLATFORM

The Internet Association of Australia (IAA), the operator of IX Australia, has announced today plans to upgrade its NSW internet exchange point NSW-IX to a 400Gbps core using Arista switching equipment.

Like most internet platforms, the pandemic has seen IAA’s NSW-IX doubling its traffic levels over the last two years. IAA has determined that in order to continue to ensure its high level of availability and congestion-free operation, the core of the internet exchange point will move to dual 400Gbps paths and be the first internet exchange in Australia to announce ground breaking 400Gbps technology.

“Simply throwing more 100Gbps links is no longer economic as you burn more ports in inter-site links and redundancy than is fair to member services”, Chief Executive Officer, Narelle Clark said today. “Members are what make internet exchange points the compelling infrastructure and interconnection solution they are, and we would rather ensure member traffic flows efficiently and reliably.” The new switches will also enable IAA’s content network and direct Cloud connections to deliver even faster than they do today.

“We are pleased to have been selected by the Internet Association of Australia as their key technology platform for 400Gbps as they upgrade their New South Wales Internet Exchange. IAA and Arista share a common vision on ultra-high performance, flexibility, and mission critical reliability in the Internet Exchange environment in Australia,” said Garry Turner, Arista Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand.

The NSW-IX will be the first of IAA’s six Australian internet exchange points to upgrade to 400Gbps and comprises nine Sydney based points of presence connected in a fully redundant, diverse fibre ring. These new switches will be deployed to consolidate the core and increase overall capacity, with the option to offer 400Gbps ports to members directly.

The IAA internet exchange point system is currently peaking in aggregate at over 900Gbps across Australia, and the NSW-IX carries much of this traffic, routinely peaking over 400Gbps today. Arista was chosen after comprehensive interoperability and protocol performance testing with the IAA team undertaking a thorough bench testing program over several months.

Media Contact:
Narelle Clark
CEO
Ph: +61 412 297 043 / 0412 297 043
ceo@internet.asn.au

Internet Association of Australia calls for an nbn framework that prioritises fit-for-purpose internet for all Australians

28 July 2022

The Internet Association of Australia Ltd (IAA) today supports Communications Minister Michelle Rowland in rejecting NBN Co’s proposed variation to the Special Access Undertaking (SAU). As NBN Co looks to re-start the process, IAA calls for a new approach to the framework that prioritises providing all Australians with internet access that is affordable and fit-for-purpose.

IAA welcomes the Minister’s call that the SAU variation should reflect changes in the policy landscape where NBN Co will remain in public ownership for the foreseeable future.

“This is a good opportunity to hold NBN Co to its fundamental purpose for existence and create the SAU accordingly,” said IAA CEO, Narelle Clark. “This national resource should be geared appropriately to providing high-speed, high-quality broadband to sustain Australian lives and economy.”

The Minister’s letter to ACCC expressed the view that consumers and businesses are primarily concerned with the quality and service of NBN.

“NBN Co’s proposed SAU did not add any commitment to improve its performance against standards,” said Clark. “This would hurt both RSPs and the broader Australian public as prices for NBN would have kept rising despite failure deliver service and sub-par technology choices. RSPs have long been blamed for NBN Co’s shortcomings. NBN Co should take a more holistic consideration of end-user reliability to fulfil its role.”

IAA acknowledges a SAU variation is necessary given the changes to the technological landscape. “We look forward to continue engaging with NBN Co, the ACCC, industry and other stakeholders to ensure an SAU variation that best serves Australians and our economy,” said Clark.

Internet Association of Australia Grant Major Parties a ‘Conceded Pass’

The Internet Association of Australia Ltd (IAA) has released today its assessment of the major political parties’ policy platforms for the upcoming federal election, finding none measure up to the reasonable expectations of the internet industry.

IAA has evaluated the policy platforms of the major political parties against the IAA Election Wish List released last week. The assessment tables where each party meets – or falls short – of these expectations for a healthy and vibrant internet for Australia.

“The Assessment indicates there is little difference between each party’s platform. We commend them for their general support for expanded services, and the investment in improvements to the underlying infrastructure performance, however none succeed in addressing structural issues across the industry” said IAA CEO, Narelle Clark. “Our Election Wish List details how government should rebuild industry-government trust, improve access to market for small ISPs, improve NBN performance, improve connectivity for rural and regional areas and address skills shortages. These are the barest minimum and vital for the future of the industry. As such it is a Conceded Pass.”

Both the ALP and LNP coalition indicate strong support for improving NBN performance, and increased connectivity for regional and rural Australia, but lack assuring the industry that regulation and rule-making processes will be simplified to reduce burdens for industry.

“The last two years have more than demonstrated how vital a strong internet industry is to Australia. IAA therefore calls upon all parties to take steps and commit to meaningful, good faith engagement with the industry, regardless of the election result,” said Clark. “Regulatory reviews that fail to take into account industry security, privacy and operational concerns do not protect the nation.”

The technology sector is reported to contribute to 8.5% of Australia’s GDP and this is expected to greatly increase if Australia is to catch up and become a global leader in the digital economy. As both industry and government look to ensure the health of Australia’s internet industry to ensure a thriving economic future, the policies pursued by any government will play an immense role in protecting and growing the internet sector.

WLG-IX Launches!

Unfortunately, last month, New Zealand Internet Exchange’s plan to launch the much-anticipated WLG-IX was pushed back due to lockdown restrictions preventing important work needed to get it up and running. Thankfully, as Wellington lifted to level three restrictions, work resumed, and the new IX is now completed and in production, with the official launch date set for November 1 2021. WLG-IX is starting with a 12-month FREE period. Happy peering! 

All those eager to hear about the launch should keep an eye out on NZIX’s social media accounts.

 

IAA Seeks Continuation of NBN Co’s Relief Package

The Internet Association of Australia, operator of Australia’s largest and longest-standing, non-profit, carrier-neutral Internet Exchanges, believes NBN Co’s recent announcement, that it will be continuing with its withdrawal of their COVID-19 inspired 40% CVC boost in September, to be detrimental to both customers and the internet community.

“NBN Co’s recent intervention on pricing has been a welcome relief and greatly improved sentiment towards the NBN generally,” explains IAA Chief Executive Officer, Narelle Clark.”

“It is the Association’s view that it is too early to remove this relief. ISPs, especially those smaller providers, have found their cost base unexpectedly and massively altered due to the pandemic and need time to adjust their capital and operating programs.”

“Removal of this additional support now by NBN Co will disproportionately affect providers at the smaller end of the spectrum who are also vital businesses supplying Australia’s industry and social fabric.”

Given the Federal Government’s relief package is still in place, IAA believes the withdrawal of NBN Co’s pricing relief on CVC capacity has the potential to significantly reduce the quality of service to residential and business customers.

At a time when the shift to working and studying from home is crucial, the reliance on Australia’s broadband network has never been more important. By extending their relief package, IAA believes NBN Co will help service providers continue to provide Australia’s necessary connectivity and continuity of services.

Internet Association Welcomes INSLM Report

The Internet Association of Australia (IAA) welcomes the long awaited release of the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor’s report into the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018. IAA appreciates the considerable effort the INSLM has put into the review, including the time spent with IAA members discussing their concerns.

“Internet service providers need confidence that the orders they receive from law enforcement are properly scrutinised and appropriate,” said Ms Clark, CEO. “If ISPs are being required to undermine the reliability and security of internet services, they must be confident it is for a correspondingly well-founded, serious and life-threatening reason. The INSLM recommendations, if implemented, will go some way towards providing this guarantee.”

The additional scrutiny being proposed by the INSLM, in the form of an Investigatory Powers Commissioner, should be established urgently and provided with the appropriate resources, such as an independent advisory body for technical matters. IAA is willing to assist with such a body, to ensure that the internet industry is properly represented. “Our members have very real challenges in implementing TANs and TCNs, and these need to be taken into account. It has all too often been the case that the realities of implementation and resource requirements are not understood”, Ms Clark said today.

The members of IAA are vital in the provision of a trusted internet and trusted telecommunications, as well as of content and communications services broadly. The Australian community has shown its willingness to rely – and indeed depend on –these providers throughout the pandemic. This trust deserves to be rewarded with corresponding reliability. The creation of systems that undermine that trust – through under-scrutinised access mechanisms, such as TANs and TCNs – will only harm the economy and Australia’s social fabric at a vulnerable time. It is therefore vital that the INSLM’s recommendations be adopted.

Additional matters which are not fully addressed within the report pertain to the compliance burden that IAA members have pointed to previously. The industry bears a considerable compliance burden already, and this type of legislation, of which we have seen considerable amounts over recent years, only adds to it. The level of support required to implement TANs and TCNs is difficult to forecast, and therefore difficult to plan for and cost. Just analysing the requirements of the legislation alone is a challenge for the typical small internet provider.

Further, IAA would like to see greater protections for internet service providers and their staff when acting to protect the communications of Australians or when complying with legislation such as TOLA. IAA is not satisfied that there are sufficient protections for ISP employees acting in good faith in the performance of their duties, and further clarity on the potential for hefty fines or incarceration is urgently required.

IAA Appoint New CEO

Many of you will have received notification already or may have seen recent articles in the media announcing the news that the Association has appointed Narelle Clark as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Narelle had been contracting as General Manager for the Association since October 2019 and was successful in securing the CEO role after an extensive search was undertaken.

“Internet exchanges are proven to be a vital part of a reliable, affordable internet, so I am absolutely thrilled to take on this position,” said Ms Clark.

“IAA’s infrastructure is second to none, with the widest number of points of presence, the most extensive content arrangements and a member base that spans all parts of Australia’s Internet. Without the collaboration between builders, content and service providers Australians would not have enjoyed the level of Internet performance during lockdown we have seen.”

The newly established position will be responsible for driving both the technical and membership services sides of the Association, continuing to execute the 2020 strategic plan and build on our reputation for peering excellence.

“The high regard with which Narelle is held across the industry means our internet exchange operations will continue to grow and deliver across Australia and New Zealand, while we increase our work in member services and the Internet policy arena,” explains IAA Chair, David Hooton.

Narelle’s background is as a data comms engineer with a strong focus on policy. She comes to the Association with a career across the internet and telecommunications industry in Australia and internationally, having undertaken senior roles in a range of service providers, not-for profit organisations and policy and standards working groups. She has held prominent industry roles with CSIRO, Optus, the Public Interest Registry (operator of .Org), and ACCAN, and consulted to Telecom New Zealand, government departments and telecommunications and content providers.

Please join us in welcoming Narelle on board. Why not join her and the team at our online event?

Internet Association Announces Appointment of CEO

The Internet Association of Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Narelle Clark as its Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

After an exhaustive search, the Board determined that Narelle’s combination of deep Internet expertise, all-round industry knowledge and drive will enable the Association to move to the next level. The high regard with which Narelle is held across the industry means our Internet Exchange operations will continue to grow and deliver across Australia and New Zealand, in tandem with an increase in our work in member services and the Internet policy arena.

We are pleased that Narelle has taken on this challenging position and are confident she will embrace our plans to expand member services with enthusiasm. We have been seeking to increase our policy engagement and introduce a range of member education offers and Narelle’s experience will guide us well into the future.

“I would like to convey to members how keen I am to take on this position” said Ms Clark. “IAA’s infrastructure is second to none, with the widest number of points of presence, the most extensive content arrangements, and a member base that spans all parts of Australia’s Internet. Without the collaboration between builders, content and service providers Australians would not have enjoyed the level of Internet performance during lockdown we have seen.”

The Association recently observed some 100Gbps of additional Internet traffic across its exchanges, noting near perfect uptime across the peering fabric.

Narelle comes to the Association with a stellar career across the internet and telecommunications industry both within Australia and internationally, having held senior roles in a range of service providers, not-for profit organisations and policy and standards working groups. She has held prominent industry roles with CSIRO, Optus, the Public Interest Registry (operator of .Org), and ACCAN, and consulted to Telecom New Zealand, government departments and telecommunications and content providers. Narelle is a Senior Member of the IEEE, and has a Bachelors degree in Applied Physics, a Masters in Engineering (Telecommunications) and a postgraduate diploma in Management.

Please join us in welcoming Narelle on board, we are excited to see continued growth and success of the Association under her leadership.

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