Telecom shares fell 6 per cent after it missed out on being named for priority talks in the Government's $1.5b ultra-fast broadband plan.

Crown Fibre Holdings has prioritised three regional deals in its short list for the government funded roll-out of an ultra-fast broadband network.

The battle to win $1.8b of government money now features in TV advertisements - although I imagine many watching them will be left scratching their heads.

Bic Runga is returning to the live stage as the support act for Leonard Cohen's tour in late October.

For infrastructure company Vector, the benefit of taking load off the network is an economic no-brainer.

Kings of Leon walked off the stage in St Louis after the band's bassist was defecated on by pigeons.

Vodafone has joined up with a Canadian company in a bid to take part in the Government's $1.5b broadband plan.