Broadband News

Thu, 13th Aug 2015

Foxtel price drop was right anti-churn Fixtel

When Foxtel dropped its prices last year, the Foxtel anti-Netflix fix was in, validated by ‘strong growth in customer numbers supported by record low churn.’

Source: iTWire

Telstra hits 211,000 NBN customers

Telstra now has 211,000 customers with connections to the National Broadband Network, the telco said today.

Source: Computerworld

Telstra adds 664,000 mobile customers

In the 2015 financial year Telstra added 664,000 retail mobile net new services and 189,000 retail fixed broadband net new services, the telco reported today.

Source: Computerworld

Hobart suburbs to make complete switch from landline to NBN

Four Hobart suburbs are due make the complete transition to the NBN from Saturday when landline services will progressively be limited to emergency calls only.

Source: ABC News

Ex-Telstra chief David Thodey gets a $14.5m pay cheque

Former Telstra CEO David Thodey, the man who said his salary package was too big to justify, will receive almost $14.5 million for his last year in the role.

Source: SMH

Optus posts 20 percent jump in net profit

Singtel-owned Optus reported a 20 percent jump in net profit to $196 million for the first quarter of its fiscal 2015 year, alongside an 13 percent increase in operating revenue to $1.9 billion.

Source: iTnews Australia

Optus reaches 9.38 million mobile subscribers

Optus has seen its first quarter EBITDA and net profit grow, reflecting higher mobile customer acquisitions and retention as well as a higher take up of its device repayment plans.

Source: ARN

Telstra posts $4.23 billion profit, meeting expectations

Telstra made $4.23 billion in net profits during the 2015 financial year and will increase its full year dividend to 30.5¢ per share, according to its annual results.

Source: SMH

Wed, 12th Aug 2015

Attorney-general commissions cost-benefit analysis of digital copyright reform

An economic analysis into the ALRC's recommendation to adopt a flexible fair use provision in regards to digital copyright in Australian law has been commissioned, with the AG concerned about the costs to rights holders.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra last on Netflix July 2015 speed index: Netflix Buffering Network?

Australia’s biggest telco is still last on Netflix’s list of Australian ISPs delivering Netflix video to ISP’s customers.

Source: iTWire

Turnbull responds to MyRepublic

The head of Singaporean broadband supplier MyRepublic got a lot of publicity yesterday criticising the NBN. Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull was not impressed.

Source: iTWire

Tue, 11th Aug 2015

Australian Internet of Things market growth explodes

The Internet of Things (IoT) home market is exploding across Australia, with adoption and spending on IoT home products and services forecast to grow eleven-fold over the next four years.

Source: iTWire

Final Dallas Buyers Club ruling due August 14

The final Federal Court ruling in the court clash between the rights holders of the movie Dallas Buyers Club and a group of ISPs led by iiNet will be handed down on August 14.

Source: Computerworld

Optus customers get Wi-Fi calling and SMS on iOS, Android app

Optus customers will be able to use a new app to make and receive calls and SMSes over Wi-Fi via their existing phone number.

Source: ZDNet Australia

iiNet keeps top spot in Netflix speed rankings

In July, customers of ISP iiNet enjoyed the fastest average speeds in Australia when viewing Netflix content, according to the updated ranking released by the video-streaming goliath.

Source: Computerworld

Telstra threat MyRepublic details Australia launch and slams NBN

The Singaporean company named as one of Telstra's biggest worries by its outgoing chief executive David Thodey has labelled parts of the $41 billion national broadband network as "shit" as it prepares to launch services in Australia.

Source: SMH

Singapore's MyRepublic to enter Australian broadband market and resell NBN

Singaporean broadband supplier MyRepublic has announced it will enter the Australian market – but only over FTTH. The company's CEO has made some very pointed and unflattering remarks about the FTTN NBN.

Source: iTWire

Mon, 10th Aug 2015

Aldi goes XXL-rated with new $45 mobile plan

AldiMobile has launched a new XXL mobile plan with a whopping 43,200 minutes of talk time, 50,000 SMS, 20,000 MMS and 4GB data for $45 per 30 days.

Source: iTWire

Brandis urged to dump telco security reforms

Australia's telecommunications sector is continuing its crusade against the government's proposed industry security reforms, with submissions to the draft legislation revealing universal opposition to the suggested changes.

Source: iTnews Australia

Mobile penetration in Australia continues to grow

Mobile penetration across Australia has soared to 137% of the country alongside a slowing in the number of mobile subscribers in recent years.

Source: iTWire

iiNet copper telephone line customers face disconnection

Telecommunications vendor, iiNet's copper telephone line customers will soon be facing disconnections as part of the compulsory migration to the NBN.

Source: ARN

Copper cut-off looms for 30,000 homes

The NBN will eventually replace the existing telephone system. All existing phone lines will need to be transferred. For some, that day will come sooner than they think.

Source: iTWire

Sat, 08th Aug 2015

New chipsets lay groundwork for gigabit speeds to more homes

Chipset vendors such as Broadcom and STMicroelectronics have launched products that'll make it possible to offer gigabit speeds over fiber as well as over copper and cable networks.

Source: Computerworld

Fri, 07th Aug 2015

Telco national security law passage planned for spring

The Australian Parliament will be introducing the telco national security laws during the spring session, with hopes to pass the legislation in that time.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telstra first telco to offer dedicated in-store wearables range

With wearables delivering actionable fitness, information and lifestyle benefits, Telstra has decided now’s the time to offer the public an affordable range across 370 stores.

Source: iTWire

Thu, 06th Aug 2015

Ex-Telstra boss David Thodey lands at CSIRO

Former Telstra chief executive officer David Thodey has been appointed chairman of the board for Australia's peak science and research organisation CSIRO.

Source: iTnews Australia

Vocus and Amcom integration powers ahead with new products

As part of the integration process three new products have been adapted from the Amcom product suite under the Vocus Communications brand including Ethernet Multipoint, SIP Trunks and IP WAN services.

Source: ARN

Wed, 05th Aug 2015

Quickflix looks to acquire unnamed Chinese content company

Streaming company Quickflix has entered an MOU to acquire a Chinese TV and movie content company, just days after announcing a loss of 14 percent of its customer base in the second quarter of 2015.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Internet Australia joins outcry at telco infrastructure security bill

Internet Australia has joined representatives of the telecommunications and ICT industries in condemning a draft bill the government says is intended to boost the security of Australia's telco infrastructure.

Source: Computerworld

Optus to cease 2G services from April 2017

Telecommunications company, Optus, will soon shut down its 2G GSM network. According to the company, 2G services will cease effective April 1, 2017, as consumers increasingly use more data and opt for the latest 4G smartphones.

Source: ARN