Broadband News
Mon, 28th Sep 2015
Competition set to rise in light of M2/Vocus merger
The proposed merger between M2 Group and Vocus Communications will create more competition in the market, according to its executives.
Source: ARN
Vocus, M2 to merge and create $3 billion telco
Vocus (ASX:VOC) and M2 (ASX:MTU) are to merge in a deal which will see the two listed companies create a full-service vertically integrated telco with a market capitalisation of more than $3 billion.
Source: iTWire
Data retention funding model to be revealed in November
The outline of a program to help defray the costs to telecommunications providers of implementing data retention is expected to be made public in November.
Source: Computerworld
Vocus-M2 merger to create $3b telecommunications firm
Telecommunications firms Vocus and M2 are planning to merge to create a $3 billion company that can better compete with industry giants Telstra and Optus.
Source: ABC News
Fri, 25th Sep 2015
Telcos silenced by AGD on data retention exemptions
Telecommunications and internet service providers that fall under the country's data retention legislation are being warned to keep quiet on whether they have been granted an exemption from the scheme or risk having it overturned.
Source: iTnews Australia
4G coverage worldwide: Australia level with Greece on average speed
Australia's coverage is ranked 14th globally and speeds 9th, with Vodafone providing the highest percentage of coverage and Telstra the fastest speeds.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Thu, 24th Sep 2015
Bill shock drops by 22 percent: ACMA
The number of consumers suffering bill shock has fallen by 22 percent over the last two years, according to new figures released by Australia's communications regulator.
Source: iTnews Australia
ACCAN tells telcos: introduce real time usage alerts
ACCAN, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, is calling on telcos to ditch alerts up to 48 hours and introduce real-time alerts as Telstra has done.
Source: iTWire
The Government Wants To Use Mobile Broadband For Police, Fire And Ambulance Services In Australia
Australia’s main police, ambulance and fire agencies have their own dedicated radio bands, but need more rich communication between officers and dispatch to use 21st century tools like GPS, smartphones, tablets and the internet. A draft Productivity Commission report recommends using mobile broadband from commercial telcos like Telstra, Optus and Vodafone rather than cordoning off mobile spectrum and constructing a $6 billion dedicated public safety broadband network.
Source: Gizmodo
Wed, 23rd Sep 2015
Australia's New Communications Minister: 'We're Technology Agnostic' About The NBN
When leadership changes, there’s always the potential for certain passion projects to be brought to the fore. In his previous role as communications minister, Australia’s current prime minister’s history as a founding face in Australia’s internet was at odds with the decision to rationalise and roll-back the rollout of high-speed fibre to the home NBN. That might change. The new Turnbull-led, Liberal goverment is being just a bit cagey about how the NBN might evolve in the coming weeks and months.
Source: Gizmodo
TPG signals big things to come with solid financials
TPG, now Australia’s number two telco, has announced a healthy set of numbers for its 2015 year, although not quite as much as some analysts expected. With iiNet soon to be assimilated, TPG has sounded an ominous warning to its rivals.
Source: iTWire
Police, firies set to lose hard-fought spectrum fight
Public safety agencies would be best served by commercial carriers when it comes to a national mobile capability for emergency services, the Productivity Commission has recommended, in a report that provoked a fierce backlash from police around the country.
Source: iTnews Australia
TPG founder David Teoh has warned he will keep building his NBN rival network
Newly crowned as Australia's second-largest internet service provider TPG Telecom will plough on with construction of its rival to the federal government's $56 billion national broadband network and may even start offering access through its booming retail brands.
Source: SMH
Tue, 22nd Sep 2015
Brandis loses hold on copyright
Australia's new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has taken responsibility for copyright policy off Attorney-General George Brandis and handed it to the country's new Communications Minister Mitch Fifield.
Source: iTnews Australia
Telstra's Wi-Fi 4GX Advanced III: Hands On With The World's First 600Mbps Mobile Hotspot
Telstra is Australia’s largest telco, and that means it can spend a bit of cash on keeping its 4GX mobile network world-class and super-fast. Alongside switching on Voice Over LTE, the new Wi-Fi mobile hotspot that Telstra calls the Wi-Fi 4GX Advanced III is capable of 600Mbps download speeds — theoretically.
Source: Gizmodo
Fifield to oversee govt's anti-piracy efforts
Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's newly minted communications minister, senator Mitch Fifield, will oversee administration of Australia's copyright regime.
Source: Computerworld
Organic growth drives TPG's 31 percent lift in net profit for FY15
TPG has achieved AU$224.1 million in net profit for the 2015 financial year due to organic growth it experienced in both its consumer and corporate division.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Billion-dollar TPG flags iiNet 'product refreshes'
TPG has shown its financial muscle with 30 percent growth in revenue, profits and earnings for the fiscal year just completed, even before iiNet came on to its books.
Source: CRN
TPG boosts profit 31%
TPG has reported net profit after tax of $221.4 million on revenue of $1.27 billion for the year ended 31 July.
Source: Computerworld
Optus Wholesale 100Gbps international service goes live
Telecommunications provider, Optus, has lit up its first international 100Gbps service. Optus Wholesale has officially delivered the service for a US-based partner on the Southern Cross Cable Network (SCCN) that connects Australia to the US’ West Coast via New Zealand, Fiji and Hawaii.
Source: ARN
Mon, 21st Sep 2015
ACCAN welcomes Sen Mitch Fifield as new Comms Minister
ACCAN, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network has welcomed the appointment of Senator Mitch Fifield as Comms Minister and looks forward to working with him.
Source: iTWire
NBN switches on FttN network
NBN has switched on the fibre-to-the-node portion of its multi-technology mix high-speed broadband network, with promises that it will deliver speeds of 100Mbps.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN's fibre-to-the-node services go live
NBN has launched its first live services for end users on fibre-to-the-node technology, claiming most ADSL users won't need an on-premises appointment to switch over to the network.
Source: iTnews Australia
MyNetFone launches short-term internet contract aimed at renters
VoIP network provider and telco MyNetFone has launched an internet plan specifically for Australian renters.
Source: CRN
Sun, 20th Sep 2015
Senator Mitch Fifield to oversee NBN rollout as comms minister
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has appointed Senator Mitch Fifield to the communications portfolio as part of the new-look Coalition ministry.
Source: Computerworld
Mitch Fifield named Australia's new Communications Minister
Victorian Liberal senator Mitch Fifield will become the country's new Communications Minister following a cabinet reshuffle under new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Source: iTnews Australia
Fri, 18th Sep 2015
Dear Mr PM, an MTM NBN is simply not good enough
COMMENT: Just before he became Prime Minister I had a telephone discussion with the then Minister for Communication, Malcolm Turnbull, regarding an article I wrote in which I expressed my disappointment about various issues around the NBN.
Source: iTWire
Service Stream signs new NBN contract
Service Stream has signed a new contract with NBN to roll out National Broadband Network infrastructure including fibre-to-the-node (FTTN), fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) and fibre-to-the-building (FTTB).
Source: Computerworld
Thu, 17th Sep 2015
Senate calls for NBN operating plan
The upper house of parliament has demanded to see NBN's financial forecasts and rollout plans after the corporate plan was unveiled last month.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Turnbull considers communications minister replacement
The topic of who will become the next communications minister after the last one was elevated to prime minister is continuing, with Hockey, Pyne, and Fletcher all rumoured possibilities.
Source: ZDNet Australia