Broadband users looking forward to the removal of download caps from internet pricing are likely to be disappointed: Even the NBN Company doubts the fatter pipes will mean the end of the download cap regime.

Three months old and 40 employees strong, the NBN Company's strategic thinking is starting to emerge. And while it might be driving the biggest infrastructure project in the nation's history, NBN Co is intently focused on keeping its footprint small.

Perth-based internet service provider iiNet has emerged quietly confident from the first two weeks of its court fight with the movie industry - represented by the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) - and will call chief executive Michael Malone as its first witness when the case resumes on November 2.

Technology transformation issues would add massively to the cost of a functional separation of Telstra, and increase the risk of disruption to billing and service delivery to millions of customers, the company has told a Senate inquiry.

In the most comprehensive set of reforms in a generation, the Rudd Government will overhaul privacy law in Australia, harmonising privacy treatment across Federal and State jurisdictions, and "future proofing" these protections against technology change.

Important benefits of proposed telecommunication reforms – including the functional or structural separation of Telstra – would be seen inside 12 months, the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has told a Senate inquiry.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has poured cold water on calls to delay the Senate debate on telecommunications reform, saying Government is committed to its passage by the end of the year.

Lindsay Tanner's Gov 2.0 Taskforce has spawned three hacker events in support of its Mashup Australia competition – including two hosted by Google Australia – as it seeks creative ways to use dormant public sector data.

Predictions of the demise of Telstra Wholesale in the face of an open access, wholesale-only National Broadband Network are vastly premature, the company’s new wholesale chief Paul Geason said.

Telstra has again urged to senators to delay debate on the telecommunications reform bill, this time appealing directly to a committee hearing on the proposed legislation.