Arianespace will launch Optus's 10th satellite - and sixth in operation - from its centre in French Guiana early next month. [ + ]

The desktop component of a Chinese state-funded project to develop an operating system to replace Windows and Android could be complete by October, according to government-run media. [ + ]

The US consulate database crash last month affected 200,000+ visa-seekers worldwide. The database was backed up, but the system wasn't. What can be done to prevent such a failure happening again? [ + ]

Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has stepped down from the company's board of directors in order to focus on teaching and his recent acquisition, the Los Angeles Clippers. But as one of Microsoft's largest shareholders, he may still hold significant power at the company. [ + ]

Enterprise data is travelling beyond network boundaries and outside traditional technology controls, which means that data protection must now extend into the cloud. [ + ]

The Australian tablet market contracted 28% in 1H14 as consumers waited longer to upgrade, Telsyte estimates, and the impending launch of the iPhone 6 could further impact demand. [ + ]

Debate over Microsoft's mixed record of successes and slow innovation during the last decade has incited conjecture as to its long-term durability. [ + ]

Nextgen Group has won a five-year deal to upgrade the Bureau of Meteorology's high-speed data network to a blazingly fast 200 Gbps. [ + ]

Australian credit-reporting company Veda has awarded IBM a five-year outsourcing contract in anticipation of the new computing power required to respond to new industry regulations. [ + ]

The NSW Government has launched the second stage of its purpose-built Silverwater data centre, and agencies from all departments have commenced migration to the new facility. [ + ]

Networking giant Cisco will cut up to 6000 jobs - 8% of its entire staff - as part of a "limited" global restructure in the 2015 financial year, the company announced last week. [ + ]

Indian e-learning provider Dexler Information Solutions has opened a new Australian headquarters in Melbourne, following its acquisition of Online Learning Australia earlier this year. [ + ]

Research conducted for the Australian Communications and Media Authority shows a huge jump in regional and rural mobile internet use since 2009. [ + ]

A new system developed by MIT researchers could reduce data-transmission delays across server farms by 99.6%. [ + ]

SAP and NICTA's Digital Careers program will invest $1.4m to expand the YICTE student competition to more states and age groups as they seek to seed the next generation of ICT talent. [ + ]