IAA Newsletters
From events to consultations, it’s been as busy as ever for our Policy Team!
You may have noticed IAA being highlighted in CommsDay for taking a stance on important regulatory issues. Whether it be for our CEO setting the record straight on the TCP Code at a major industry event, or our response to the one of our many consultations such as the Senate Committee’s inquiry into the privacy reform, we’re dedicated to representing our Members and to improving the telecommunications regulatory landscape.
As we’ve reported in previous newsletters, the co-regulation approach for telecommunications policy is coming under attack and as Narelle noted in her presentation at the CommsDay Wholesale Forum, there seems to be some ‘arguably disinformation’ floating around on what co-regulatory codes like the TCP Code actually mean. Rest assured, we’ll continue to advocate for the continuation of co-regulation for the telco sector to ensure that regulation affecting the industry is developed by those who actually operate and understand telco systems!
Our Policy Officer and Board Chair also gave a lightning talk at AusNOG to give an update on recent and upcoming regulatory changes, as well as to spread awareness about IAA’s important advocacy work, and how to get involved via the IAA Public Policy Advisory Panel (PPAP).
Speaking of which, the PPAP met for its quarterly meeting on 22 August. Discussions centred around the TIO and its recent changes to its reclassifications approach, which we reported in the last August newsletter. We are now accepting applications to the PPAP.
Completed Submissions:
Upcoming Submissions:
Online Safety Codes – Class 1C and Class 2 material | Onlinesafety.org | 22 November 2024
Please check the Advocacy webpage for updates.
As always, please get in touch to share any thoughts on any of the open and/or previous submissions as we really appreciate your feedback.
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As proud sponsors of the Australian Internet Governance Forum (auIGF) 2025 in Melbourne, we were inspired by this year’s thought-provoking theme: Connecting local to global – linking Australian community and policy debates with the wider region and the world. IAA also contributes through the program committee and panel sessions.
The auIGF is a leading forum that brings together a diverse range of stakeholders to discuss internet governance and public policy issues in Australia. As part of the United Nations global Internet Governance Forum (IGF), the auIGF champions a multi-stakeholder model, fostering an open platform where diverse voices are heard. It also strengthens cooperation between different sectors and promotes collaboration within the community.
This year’s there was a reinforcement of the auIGF’s multi-stakeholder approach and the importance of working together at every level of decision making, from locally to globally.
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Are you passionate about shaping the way the internet is run? IAA needs your expertise to drive impactful advocacy!
Our Public Policy Advisory Panel (PPAP) is an important body that helps IAA cut through the maze of regulations, providing critical insights that inform our policy positions and advocacy work.
With the terms of many of our current PPAP members ending in early 2025, we’re calling on you to play your part in improving the telco regulatory landscape!
We’re looking for dedicated individuals from our Professional, Corporate and Affiliate Members, for three-year terms, acting in a voluntary capacity.
As a panel member, we invite you to attend quarterly online meetings with the potential for one in-person meeting per year. As part of the panel you’ll:
- Contribute to IAA’s responses to government and industry inquiries.
- Help us influence regulation changes and inform topical internet matters.
Find out more and apply to join now via the IAA website by 8:00pm AEDT, 5 December and let’s navigate the future of internet policy together!
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Welcome to our newest Professional Members
Ryan Solvei
Peter Membrey
Christian Clark
Harold Livingstone
Joshua Leaper
Talan Kerley
Shyam Gomatam
Mohamed Ibrahim
Yougender Kumar
Lisa Hoang
Ashraf EL Khatib
Kijan Maharjan
Neelu Dongol
Shastika Upadhyaya
Steven Waite
Murali Krishna
Shannon Wulff
Kams Yeung
Juliet Radke
Darren Worley
John Ritson
Welcome to our Corporate Members:
BIZ-LYNX TECHNOLOGY PTY LTD
Joining WA-IX and with more than 30 years of expertise in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, BIX-LYNX offers specialised solutions to satisfy the wide range of needs of their customers. As a cloud service provider they offer customised, streamlined IT solutions.
ITC GLOBAL (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD
Also peering on WA-IX, ITC Global has recently rebranded to Marlink. They partner with businesses operating in demanding and remote environments to optimise operations with the latest digital technologies and hybrid network solutions that unify satellite, terrestrial and digital services.
A BRAIMBRIDGE & L VIANA DIAS CARVALHO
This cloud hosting platform is yet another new peer on WA-IX. They offer a range of services, including WordPress, Server and Windows web hosting. Operating under the name Rackmill and based in WA, they have over 90, clients worldwide.
DREAMTILT PTY LTD
Joining QLD-IX, Dreamtilt offers a range of high-speed wireless broadband for residential, business and industry in Gladstone and surrounding areas. They also provide VoIP solutions, cloud services, web hosting and design services focusing on local customer service.
URL NETWORKS PTY LTD
URL Networks are specialists in emergent VoIP technologies for business. Based in Melbourne, they provide stress-free telecommunications, delivering tailored solutions for all businesses, large, small – and everything in between. They decided to join after a compelling presentation at AusNOG in relation to compliance and how the IAA can help.
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We’ve certainly had fun filled quarter this time! The Member events we held were really enjoyable, and it was great to get Members, Board and the IAA Team together in a relaxed setting. Not only that, our online session on network upgrades was also really worthwhile: who doesn’t enjoy a good war story? Check out the recording if you missed it. We’ve got more events coming up, so don’t forget to register, and if you’re heading to AusNOG, make sure you pre-order your newest IAA hoodie via the IAA Member Portal!
Speaking of upgrades, my sympathy goes out to all our Members that had to deal with the CrowdStrike fiasco. Unravelling that disaster shows a real breach of trust, too: the update wasn’t urgent, it clearly wasn’t properly tested before it being pushed out globally, and it used a path reserved for critical exploits in bypassing staging servers. Annoying also for us in the internet trade was that the internet was often blamed in media reporting. Ironically, it was perhaps because the internet worked so well that the update went out so quickly. Or perhaps it is the internet’s fault because hackers exist and that’s why CrowdStrike’s tools need to exist? Hmm, no, neither of those make this an internet problem. I’m not losing any sleep however in waiting for a correction to the many stories that went out.
One event I did go to recently was the ACOMMS awards night. Apart from it being a good feed, with excellent company, our own Board Chair – Matthew Enger took out the top award of Communications Ambassador. It was lovely to see him be recognised, and I am totally not surprised that as a schoolkid he upgraded the high school network for better internet! Who doesn’t need a kid like that in your class?
We’ve also added the option of LR1 optics to our 100Gbps ports. For those of you thinking about it, and connected to NSW-IX, give us a yell, and we’ll help you migrate. We’ve even got a special on where we can supply the optics for you.
In advocacy news, I note that Members may be affected by a couple of compliance obligations over the coming months, namely CommCom TCP Code attestation (due 2 September 2024), and Fair Work’s new ‘Right to disconnect’ legislation, which comes into effect for non-small business employers on 26 August 2024. To help our Members comply with the ‘Right to disconnect’ law, Arnotts Technology Lawyers have prepared a policy template, which you can access via the Legal Templates section of the IAA Member Portal.
Amongst the many presentations I give is one on ‘How the Internet Works’ for telecoms engineering students. This year I polled my team and asked what were their key things to teach about BGP? Their answers:
- BGP is a route by rumour protocol.
- All the traffic engineering in the world you configure won’t guarantee the path you want for your traffic.
- All vendors do things differently, so know your tools and know them thoroughly!
Feel free to let me know what your BGP hot buttons are, and I’ll put them in next year’s lecture. My team, however, are always keen to help out with member BGP issues, so do contact them if you are experiencing difficulties.
Happy peering!
Narelle
IAA CEO
