Broadband News

Thu, 26th Oct 2017

The ACMA Is Future-Proofing Australia's 4G And 5G Mobile Networks

We already use our phones a lot, and there are a lot of us using phones at the same time. That means a lot of pressure on Australia's mobile networks, which are already stretched to breaking point. The Australian Communications and Media Authority is making decisions on the future of 4G and 5G for the next five years that will make sure the limited wireless spectrum we have is efficiently used. More »     

Source: Gizmodo

Wed, 25th Oct 2017

NBN examining CVC options, but must give RSPs two years' notice

NBN has been examining a number of options on changing its pricing structure, but consumers may be on hold for a two-year window.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Ipsos Global Advisor survey finds Australia ranks lowest for broadband satisfaction

Australia has been ranked last out of 28 countries when it comes to broadband satisfaction, a new international poll shows.

Source: SMH

5G will be a convenient but expensive alternative to the NBN

5G will provide convenient broadband access for some internet users, but the NBN will remain the network of choice for most customers, writes Rod Tucker.

Source: ABC News

TIO rejigs to better handle NBN complaints

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has refined its complaint handling to better deal with complicated NBN issues where one or more service providers may be at fault.

Source: iTnews Australia

Labor asks Turnbull to detail financial advice on NBN

Two members of the Labor Party's shadow cabinet have called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to provide details about how the anticipated lack of income from the national broadband network will affect the federal budget.

Source: iTWire

NBN Co leaves speeds data release to RSPs

The government and NBN Co continue to resist calls to publish a database of maximum attainable speeds for every line on the NBN, arguing it is a call for retail service providers (RSPs) to make.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN Co looks to launch uncongested 50Mbps service

NBN Co is set to unveil a 50Mbps residential product before the end of the year that comes bundled with enough bandwidth to be uncongested during peak periods.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN Co turns to G.fast to entice business

NBN Co is planning to deliver its first deployments of G.fast technology in the second half of 2018, but the services will initially only be available for business users.

Source: iTnews Australia

We can't tell you if you need the NBN, but we can give you an idea

Rather than explaining what the NBN is, we thought we'd go through the things you'd probably use it for and whether it would make a difference for you.

Source: ABC News

NBN to launch G.fast in 2018

NBN's gigabit speed-enabling technology for its fibre-to-the-node, building, and curb networks will be launching next year, it has announced.

Source: ZDNet Australia

nbn gets set to go with G.fast tech as Govt defends rollout

​nbn has revealed that it will be adding G.fast broadband tech to the NBN rollout next year, as the network comes under new levels of scrutiny.

Source: ARN

NBN narrows in on pricing changes

NBN has assessed a range of options for changes to its pricing, some of which represent a significant departure from its current model. The company’s CEO, Bill Morrow, has said he expects to make an announcement about a product incorporating a new pricing structure before the end of the year.

Source: Computerworld

'Lemonade-stand economics' not serving NBN well: IT group

The main problem with the current approach to the national broadband network is "lemonade-stand economics" — a simplistic approach that completely ignores any cost or benefits that doesn't cross NBN Co's financial ledgers — the head of an IT lobby group says.

Source: iTWire

Tue, 24th Oct 2017

What's everyone saying about the NBN?

It's been described as "calamitous", "stomach turning" and a "changed horse". So what is everyone actually saying about the troubled rollout of the NBN this week?

Source: ABC News

ISP chief offers tips to cope with NBN in current state

The head of ISP Aussie Broadband says the only thing that's missing from the current discussion around the national broadband network is common sense talk about how to cope with the existing situation.

Source: iTWire

Vocus targets 10 percent of all NBN users

Vocus has set an end goal of securing 10 percent of the total NBN market and outlined steps it is taking to “insulate” itself against the rising cost of servicing those customers.

Source: iTnews Australia

'Shambolic' NBN has hit subcontractors hard, union claims

Workers who are employed doing work on the national broadband network are being forced to deal with the disaster that the project has become, the Communications Union says.

Source: iTWire

NBN Co chief 'in trouble, looking for a parachute': claim

One of Australia's well-known network experts says the comments made by NBN Co chief executive Bill Morrow on the ABC's Four Corners NBN programme on Monday night indicate that he has discovered the company is in trouble as it is unlikely to make any money as per its business plan.

Source: iTWire

Politicians are squabbling over who's to blame for the NBN, but it's not helping anyone

Kevin Rudd is the latest to weigh in on the sarcastic, self-righteous political ruckus over internet speeds and prices. He says Malcolm Turnbull messed up the rollout of the NBN, but the Coalition is calling the former PM a

Source: ABC News

MyRepublic chief says big four holding NBN Co back

The managing director of the small ISP MyRepublic claims the average revenue per user earned by the NBN Co will continue to be low because bigger telcos like Telstra, Optus, TPG and Vocus push slow-speed connections to their customers in order to avoid popularising the NBN.

Source: iTWire

Well Yeah, Of Course The NBN's A Mess: Unions

Thousands of subcontractors given "no proper training" and poor government handling have caused no end of problems for the NBN rollout, according to the communication workers' union.

Source: Gizmodo

Mon, 23rd Oct 2017

Malcolm Turnbull blames Labor for 'train wreck' that is the NBN

The PM, who as communications minister inherited the National Broadband Network from the previous Labor government, describes the project as a "calamitous train wreck" and concedes it may never make a profit.

Source: ABC News

Turnbull: 'Question mark' over NBN commercial viability

It was a 'big mistake' to roll out the NBN under a government-formed company, the prime minister has said, with questions now surrounding the broadband network's commercial challenges.

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN's first FttC installation sees 100/40Mbps speeds

NBN has announced the activation of its first fibre-to-the-curb connection, with speeds of 109/44Mbps across 70m of copper using VDSL technology in Melbourne.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra says roaming decision 'best outcome for customers'

Telstra has, unsurprisingly, welcomed the decision of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission not to declared mobile roaming.

Source: iTWire

Optus says ACCC decision not to declare roaming a clear win for regional communities

Vodafone's not happy, but Optus has welcomed the ACCC's decision not to mandate domestic roaming, saying it's a "clear win for regional communities".

Source: iTWire

Vodafone says ACCC’s final roaming decision bad for regional Australia

Claiming "too many Australians to continue to miss out", Vodafone is not happy, Jan, over the ACCC's decision not to declare mobile roaming.

Source: iTWire

What would you pay to get NBN fibre? How about $218,000?

Sixty-six Australians have taken the NBN rollout into their own hands, one to the tune of almost $218,000. That's more than double the the highest cost incurred by NBN Co in rolling out fibre to a single premises.

Source: ABC News

NBN CEO casts doubt on ability to turn profit

NBN Co CEO Bill Morrow has confirmed what the industry has been saying for years: that the network builder’s economic model is broken and that - under current conditions - it may never turn a profit.

Source: iTnews Australia