Broadband News

Mon, 24th Sep 2018

The race to ruin the internet is upon us

Australia versus China versus Europe: It's a potent combination of ineptness and maliciousness, and the internet is about to change.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Fri, 21st Sep 2018

Anger as outages hit Optus customers across the country

Customers across eastern seaboard complain they can't make phone calls or access the internet on their mobiles as telco says it is working to fix the issues.

Source: SMH

ACMA seeks public input to telecoms industry infringement rules

The telecommunications industry regulator the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) wants to change the rules governing the industry to allow it to issue infringement notices for contraventions of the Service Migration Determination regulating consumer moves to the NBN.

Source: iTWire

New warning for telcos over handling of NBN complaints

The head of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) says that the regulator has found evidence that telcos are not abiding by new complaints-handling rules.

Source: Computerworld

RSPs will have to tread with care as ACMA NBN rules now fully in place

The final rules devised by the Australian Communications and Media Authority to improve the experience of consumers who move over to the national broadband network, and carrying penalties of up to $10 million for offenders, take effect from today.

Source: iTWire

NBN Co to simplify network and IT architecture

NBN Co has embarked on what could be a decade-long initiative to simplify its IT and network architecture and manage the build-up of “technical debt”.

Source: iTnews Australia

Thu, 20th Sep 2018

How Telstra handles subsea cables during typhoons

Telstra was able to ensure there was no interruption of services across its subsea cables during Typhoon Mangkhut thanks to its submarine network management process, the telco has said.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra CTO unveils cells on wings

The Telstra Labs team has been working on developing and trialling drones as flying mobile base stations to be used in natural disaster-impacted areas.

Source: ZDNet Australia

First section of INDIGO West cable laid

The first section new subsea cable that will connect Australia’s west coast to Singapore has landed at Floreat Beach in Perth.

Source: Computerworld

Wed, 19th Sep 2018

Telstra completes 2Gbps data call on live 4G network

Telstra, Ericsson, and Qualcomm have completed the world's first 2Gbps data call over a live, commercial 4G LTE network.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra wants to hang onto business services a bit longer

Telstra has suddenly gone cold on the prospect of mass-migrating business Ethernet and DSL users off its network from November 12, seeking a stay until the end of January 2019.

Source: iTnews Australia

Extension for moving special business services to NBN opposed

Small broadband provider Aussie Broadband has voiced its opposition to a proposal to extend the disconnection date for special business services to migrate from legacy infrastructure to the NBN.

Source: iTWire

Telstra towers over rivals in war for NBN power

Telstra has emerged from the 2018 financial reporting season with an even higher concentration of NBN power as its rivals struggle to break even on customer migrations.

Source: iTnews Australia

Telstra and Deloiite say '5G a $50b opportunity for Australian economy'

Deloitte's latest report finds two-thirds of businesses will be on 5G by 2020. It will be released at Telstra's annual innovation and tech showcase, Telstra Vantage.

Source: iTWire

Tue, 18th Sep 2018

TPG cops NBN profit hit ahead of Voda merger

Challenger telco TPG has taken a hit to profits due to pressure from the cost of migrating DSL and home phone customers to the NBN, as well as increased electricity prices.

Source: iTnews Australia

TPG’s small cell network to complement Vodafone infrastructure, CFO says

TPG is forging ahead with its rollout of mobile infrastructure, with the telco expecting that if a planned merger with Vodafone Hutchison Australia goes ahead TPG’s small cells will complement VHA’s macrocell network.

Source: Computerworld

TPG reported earnings and net profit take a hit

​After facing significant headwinds from the migration of DSL and home phone service customers to lower margin national broadband network services, TPG’s reported earnings and net profit have taken a hit in FY18.

Source: ARN

Mon, 17th Sep 2018

ACCC boss warns telcos against 1.5Mbps 'unlimited' services

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has taken a dim view of mobile telcos' "unlimited" data services that came partially impaired by a 1.5Mbps speed limit.

Source: iTnews Australia

ACCC warns telcos against 'unlimited' ads

The ACCC has revealed that it investigated Telstra, Vodafone, and Optus earlier this year for their use of the word 'unlimited' in mobile advertising, and has threatened legal action backed by AU$10 million penalties.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telcos and its executives could face court over misleading advertisements

The Australian consumer watchdog has warned telecommunications providers to keep their advertising clear and transparent or they could face court action.

Source: ARN

Sat, 15th Sep 2018

Safari and Mozilla in new bid to beat Facebook and Google tracking

Facebook and other companies routinely track your online surfing habits to better target ads at you. Two web browsers want to help you fight back.

Source: SMH

Thu, 13th Sep 2018

Fiber Corp and Kanebridge invest $5.3M into NBN challenger

Fiber Corp and Kanebridge are investing $5.3 million to offer speeds faster than NBN Co for residents within Sydney’s Marsden Park.

Source: ARN

Wed, 12th Sep 2018

Vocus says infrastructure helps 'secure' Australia’s digital future

Telecommunicatiions services group Vocus says its commitment to infrastructure will secure Australia’s digital future as it marks the completion of the $US170m Australia Singapore Cable (ASC).

Source: iTWire

ACCC wants public input on Consumer Data Right rules

The Australian Compeition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is seeking public submisssions on the Consumer Data Right (CDR) compliance rules currently being developed, and which will allow consumers to require their bank to share their data with accredited service providers.

Source: iTWire

NBN Co promises to improve RSPs rebates

NBN Co has committed to improve its wholesale arrangement with retail services providers (RSPs) within three months.

Source: ARN

NBN Co will soon pay $25 for every missed appointment

NBN Co will have to pay retail service providers $25 every time they miss an appointment, make a late connection or have to fix a service fault.

Source: iTnews Australia

Australia's Consumer Data Right rules to be shaped around banking

With banking the first sector to be overhauled under the impending Consumer Data Right, the ACCC will be shaping its rules framework on the new data-sharing requirements of financial sector.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Tue, 11th Sep 2018

Internet Architecture Board warns Australian encryption-busting laws could fragment the internet

Industry groups, associations, and people that know what they are talking about, line up to warn of drawbacks from Canberra's proposed Assistance and Access Bill.

Source: ZDNet Australia

UNSW researchers find FTTP NBN worth the extra billions

Australia would have seen stronger social benefits by sticking to a majority fibre NBN model, with UNSW researchers estimating the uplift from FTTP would have outweighed the additional outlay.

Source: iTnews Australia

Telstra pushes for long-range 5G standards to suit a wide brown land

Chief executive Andy Penn is 'confident' the 600 international delegates from the 3GPP will agree to a standard that makes sense for Australia.

Source: SMH