Broadband News

Wed, 23rd May 2018

Optus fined AU$1.5m for misleading NBN customers

Optus has been forced by the Federal Court to pay AU$1.5 million in penalties after misleading its customers about switching over to NBN's HFC network.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Optus fined $1.5m for forcing HFC customers onto NBN

Optus has been fined $1.5 million by the federal court for trying to force customers off its HFC network and onto the NBN in a bid to fast-track migration payments from NBN Co.

Source: iTnews Australia

Tue, 22nd May 2018

Software fault caused Telstra mobile outage

Telstra has yet to determine the root cause of the software fault that resulted in a nationwide mobile outage on Monday, but said it is investigating this with its technology vendors.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Software fault triggered Telstra mobile network outage

The calamitous collapse of Telstra's mobile network on Monday was triggered by a software fault which led to multiple elements across the network failing, the company said on Tuesday, offering an apology for the disruptions suffered by its customers.

Source: iTWire

NBN announces business satellite service for 2019

The NBN Business Satellite Service will make use of existing Sky Muster spectrum and infrastructure, with trials to take place at the end of this year ahead of service launch in the first half of 2019.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN Co to chase mining sector with business satellite

NBN Co is set to target its forthcoming “business-grade satellite service” at the remote operations of Australia’s resources sector as well as farmers in the first instance.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN Co details 2019 business satellite service launch

NBN Co has revealed the details of its new wholesale business-grade satellite service for remote and rural Australia to be launched in the first half of 2019.

Source: ARN

Mon, 21st May 2018

Telstra says service 'back to normal levels', but no word on why it happened

The national Telstra outage that affected 3G and 4G voice and data services this morning and afternoon appears to be over, but we're still waiting for an explanation.

Source: iTWire

Telstra's 3G and 4G networks 'continue to be progressively restored nationally'

Telstra's latest outrageous outage on its 3G and 4G networks is being fixed, and while the "root cause" is yet to be determined, the reason why can't be unlimited.

Source: iTWire

Optus pitches benefits of new broadband offerings

Australia’s second biggest telco Optus is tempting customers with a promise of fast speeds, more entertainment options and $10 off their monthly bill with the launch of its new suite of fixed broadband plans.

Source: iTWire

Vodafone launches 4.9G on Huawei in Sydney’s West, more sites to come

Vodafone's first FDD Massive MIMO trial site has gone live in Parramatta, the first of five sites across Australia to act as trial locations for 4.9G, with Sydney's Chinatown and Haymarket to follow, and it's using Huawei technology to make it happen. 

Source: iTWire

Telstra grappling with another mobile outage, says triple-0 service not affected

Telstra says sorry to angry customers as it is hit with another outage to its mobile phone network, with reports of problems in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and other population hubs.

Source: ABC News

Vodafone starts deploying its first massive MIMO sites

Vodafone is rolling out the first three massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO) sites on its mobile network in Sydney.

Source: iTnews Australia

Vocus hires Kevin Russell as new chief

Vocus has secured the services of long-time retail telecommunications executive Kevin Russell as its new CEO following Geoff Horth’s exit in February.

Source: iTnews Australia

Fri, 18th May 2018

ACMA opens consultation on 5G spectrum auction

The ACMA is seeking feedback on its upcoming 5G spectrum auction in Australia.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Optus and Telstra battle in court over 'unlimited' mobile ads

Optus argued in court that consumers could assume Telstra's 'unlimited' mobile network ads refer to unlimited network coverage and unthrottled data speeds; Telstra argued the industry is 'awash' with unlimited advertising.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Thu, 17th May 2018

Comms Alliance suggests 'improvements' to NBN migration rules

The telecommunications industry lobby group, Communications Alliance, has put forward what it says are improvements that would make new draft NBN migration rules more oriented to consumers and easier to put in place.

Source: iTWire

Optus clocks earnings surge despite NBN suspension woes

Optus has revealed a $42 million quarter-on-quarter fall in net profit for the three months ending March, citing lower revenues from NBN service migrations.

Source: ARN

Telstra shares are in the dumps. What can save the company's profits?

Telstra's shares are at seven-year lows as the NBN and growing mobile competition erode its once hefty profit margins. But analysts say there is one hope to turn the company's profits around, writes Andrew Robertson.

Source: ABC News

Telstra ad battle: Optus told to hold off on 'best mobile network' claims

Australia's second largest telecommunications company, Optus, will have to take a second-row seat behind Telstra for a while in the claims race for being the best mobile network in the country, with a judge yesterday telling the telco it would have to hold off on ads pushing this claim.

Source: iTWire

Wed, 16th May 2018

NBN Co to get new corporate affairs boss in July

NBN Co, the company building Australia's national broadband network, has appointed former Jobs for NSW advocacy director Felicity Ross as its new corporate affairs lead from 18 July.

Source: iTWire

NBN: More to be done on HFC remediation

NBN is implementing two new HFC optimisation works from the pit to the exchange and from the pit to the home.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN Co takes conservative path to new HFC release

NBN Co has implemented two new work streams to tackle its HFC technical issues as it takes a tentative approach to releasing new services via the technology.

Source: ARN

Tue, 15th May 2018

NBN looks to 'proactive' network health with machine learning

Using machine learning and big data analytics, NBN is able to be 'proactive' rather than reactive in repairing network issues across modem and cable before the end user even notices, the company has said.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN using machine learning to proactively tackle network faults

NBN says it will employ machine learning to help it analyse the 38 terabytes of network health and performance data it gathers every day in order to take a proactive approach to mitigating faults across the collection of broadband technologies it is rolling out across Australia.

Source: Computerworld

Mon, 14th May 2018

Telstra shares slump amid profit warning and 'challenging conditions'

Telstra shares slide as it warns investors to brace for a profit at the lower end of its guidance range, but remains committed to a 22-cent total dividend payment.

Source: ABC News

Telstra admits its role under NBN is hurting

Telstra appears to have been caught off-guard by the level of competition brought about by the NBN, forecasting financial pain as a result extending into 2019.

Source: iTnews Australia

Telstra feels financial pain from NBN rollout, competitive pressure

Telstra CEO Andy Penn has warned of a “difficult trading period ahead” for Telstra, thanks to the “challenging dynamics” created by the roll out of the National Broadband Network.

Source: Computerworld

Fri, 11th May 2018

Perth-Singapore subsea cable is down again

The troubled SEA-ME-WE3 cable connecting Perth and Singapore is down for the third time since August last year.

Source: iTnews Australia

Thu, 10th May 2018

Telstra announces A-League broadcast deal

Telstra will live stream all A-League games via a new app thanks to a sub-licensing deal with Foxtel and Fox Sports.

Source: ZDNet Australia