T&A: Australia is set to build its biggest infrastructure project in the country’s history — a fast broadband Internet network worth around US$30 billion. Already, a Reuters report states that two of Australia’s largest telecommunications firms — Telstra Corp and rival SingTel-owned Optus — have submitted bids with the government to build the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Australia has been known for its slower and costly Internet access when compared to many other developed nations. Prior to the national plan, the government has been looking at tenders submitted by private corporations like Optus and Axia NetMedia for a fibre network promising speeds of up to 12 Megabits per second. (more…)

IE8 Accelerator lets you search text phrases through apps like Live Spaces, Encarta, Live Maps, Translate or developer-based links.

SHOWCASE: Earlier today, Microsoft Corp. announced the availability of the full version of Internet Explorer 8, the new Web browser of course, after being on beta for quite some time now. Downloadable from here starting from noon EDT on March 19 (or about 3:00am South-east Asian time on 20 March, Friday), IE8 will be available  in 25 languages and feature a faster, easier and leading-edge security-focused browser (or so the PR says here).

The Singapore team from HardwareZone.com attended a media preview of the announcement earlier this morning, which includes a run-through of features like Accelerators, Web Slices and an Instant Search Box.

The team has covered the Beta version before and you can read about it here.

If you’re not the type to read, check out our Gallery of screenshots which explain some of the key features of IE8 after the jump. (more…)

CEO of P1, Michael Lai (left) with Ms. Noora Mat Riffin, Associate Director of Product Strategies & Development.

T&A: Looks like Malaysia (and to the benefit of Singapore PRs and Singaporeans who visit relatives in Johor often) is upping the WiMAX ante with an additional coverage outside of the Klang Valley. This follows on Packet One Networks (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.’s, or P1’s successful launch in Klang Valley in August 2008 and the Wireless@Penang initiative in September 2008. While P1’s WiMAX services are now available in Johor Bahru, the capital city of the Johor state of Malaysia, P1 will roll out its services to the rest of the state through 2009 and 2010. (Editor opinions: 1)

Navin Danapal, Technical Editor, HWM Malaysia

Navin (HWM MY): P1 should embark on a few major education campaigns to educate the public on what exactly WiMAX is and the difference between Wi-Fi and WiMAX.

(more…)