Broadband News
Mon, 13th Nov 2017
NBN viability relies on tech upgrades: Ovum
While saying there is no need to push gigabit-speed networks, an Ovum report commissioned by Nokia has said that NBN must focus on upgrading the technology on its fibre and HFC networks.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Fri, 10th Nov 2017
The ACCC investigation into the NBN will be useful. But it's too little, too late
The ACCC dropped the ball when it allowed Telstra, Optus and its competitors to launch their NBN services without specific rules.
Source: ARN
Thu, 09th Nov 2017
TPG plans discussions with ACCC over FTTN, FTTB NBN speeds
A spokesperson for TPG — whose subsidiaries include iiNet and Internet — says the company has taken note of the recent undertaking made by Telstra to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to compensate tens of thousands of customers with NBN connections.
Source: Computerworld
NBN speeds: Dodo and iPrimus may compensate customers
Vocus says it has been reviewing its NBN services since the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued guidance on retail service providers’ marketing of broadband speeds on the National Broadband Network.
Source: Computerworld
Telcos draft industry code to improve copper broadband performance
Australia's telcos have joined together to agree on a range of safeguards for broadband over copper deployments in order to improve the experience for customers.
Source: iTnews Australia
nbn wholesale access passes three million
nbn's broadband wholesale access services around Australia has increased to just over 3 million in the quarter ended 30 September.
Source: ARN
NBN users still avoiding highest speed plans: ACCC
Only 12% of those who have connected to the national broadband network as of 30 September have opted to take the fastest plans — 100Mbps/40Mbps — according to data collected by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which shows that a shade over three million people are connected.
Source: iTWire
Proposed new code strives to improve next gen broadband services
A new code designed to improve the performance of next-generation broadband systems in Australia – including NBN-based services – has been released for public comment by the Communications Alliance.
Source: iTWire
Optus admits customers may have been overcharged for NBN speeds
Optus is the latest telco to offer compensation to customers for slow NBN speeds, following Telstra's admission it may have breached Australian Consumer Law.
Source: ABC News
Wed, 08th Nov 2017
Telstra offering compensation to 42,000 customers over slow NBN speeds
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says Telstra is offering 42,000 customers refunds, free exit from contracts, or new plans after it admitted its promised maximum NBN speeds could not be delivered.
Source: SMH
Telstra mobile network breaks new record for 2017 Melbourne Cup
Whenever a large event is on with huge numbers of people, mobile networks tend to suffer under the strain, but usage of Telstra's mobile network set a brand new record for the Cup.
Source: iTWire
Telstra to compensate 42,000 customers for slow NBN speeds
Following an ACCC investigation, Telstra has admitted it may have contravened the Australian Consumer Law, and will compensate 42,000 customers who experienced slow NBN speeds.
Source: ABC News
NBN Co goes on management hiring spree
NBN Co is planning a major expansion of management in its customer experience and product operations, intending to bring 12 new managers on board.
Source: iTnews Australia
Mon, 06th Nov 2017
NBN Co puts spotlight on businesses after flood of complaints
Australia's besieged NBN Co moves its focus from the residential rollout to business, after complaints unreliable internet is having "a catastrophic effect" at some organisations.
Source: ABC News
NBN Co readies 1Gbps enterprise Ethernet service
NBN Co will this month start trials of a symmetric 1Gbps service delivered over Ethernet for the enterprise market.
Source: iTnews Australia
nbn prepares channel program pilot ahead of 2018 launch
nbn to launch pilot channel program before the end of the year in preparation for an official launch, expected during early 2018.
Source: ARN
Fri, 03rd Nov 2017
Cockatoos gnaw spare NBN cables on towers
NBN Co is working to encase the ends of cables exposed on its fixed wireless sites after cockatoos stripped the steel braided sheathing, causing over $80,000 in damage.
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN Co will stay off federal budget books
NBN Co’s prized status as a public non-financial corporation is not under review despite warnings it may never be profitable, ensuring it will remain off the federal budget.
Source: iTnews Australia
TPG fined by ACMA for spamming
TPG has been fined $360,000 by the Australian Communications and Media Authority for not unsubscribing customers who requested to stop receiving marketing messages.
Source: iTnews Australia
Thu, 02nd Nov 2017
Telstra reviews its NBN CVC consumption weekly
Telstra is reviewing the amount of connectivity virtual circuit (CVC) bandwidth it is buying from NBN Co on a rolling weekly basis in a bid to maintain service levels.
Source: iTnews Australia
ACCC launches NBN inquiry amid customer complaints
Australia's consumer watchdog will hold a public inquiry into the standard of the National Broadband Network's wholesale service after a dramatic rise in the number of customer complaints.
Source: ABC News
NSW Telco Authority pushes for mobile broadband spectrum
Public safety agencies should be allocated 850MHz mobile broadband spectrum, the NSW Telco Authority has said, while also working with commercial carriers on delivery of projects and asset sharing.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telstra to introduce unlimited NBN data plans
Telstra CEO Andy Penn has said the company will be introducing an unlimited broadband data plan in the coming weeks, alongside a doubling of data for users who pay less than AU$99 per month.
Source: ZDNet Australia
ACCC's cautious 5G welcome sees competition issues flagged
The ACCC says it is "rethinking the way it approaches spectrum competition issues ahead of the upcoming 5G auction".
Source: iTWire
Wed, 01st Nov 2017
Telstra and Ericsson take a step closer to Aussie 5G deployment
Telstra and Ericsson have completed what they claim is the world’s first 5G trial data call over 26GHz radiofrequency spectrum.
Source: ARN
Fifield: New spectrum Bill in 2018
After releasing its partial draft Radiocommunications Bill in May following a consultation paper in March last year, Fifield has said the government is aiming to introduce its updated Bill to Parliament next year.
Source: ZDNet Australia
'They don’t give a f---': NBN director blasts ISPs for poor speeds
Australian internet service providers that complain about the fee they have to pay per megabit for access to the national broadband network don't care about consumers or quality of service, according to NBN Co non-executive director Michael Malone.
Source: SMH
Tue, 31st Oct 2017
Australian Greens says 'yes' to NBN Co debt relief
The Australian Greens says the NBN should prioritise the provision of an essential service ahead of cost recovery.
Source: iTWire
Victoria laments being “short-changed” by Mobile Black Spot Program
The Vic Govt has complained of missing out on Mobile Black Spot Program attention as it co-funds 25 new mobile towers with Optus.
Source: ARN
Trans-Pacific subsea cable gets green light
A consortium of tech firms including SoftBank, NTT, Facebook and Amazon have hit go on a new trans-Pacific subsea cable project.
Source: iTnews Australia