Broadband News
Wed, 06th May 2015
TPG makes $1.57 billion move for iiNet, 19.9% shareholding in Amcom
The TPG empire is striking back against M2’s bid for iiNet while raising its ownership of Amcom to 19.9% in news that will go public this morning.
Source: iTWire
TPG boosts iiNet bid to $1.56bn, wins board's backing
TPG has upped its bid for iiNet to $1.56 billion and offered shareholders a choice of shares or cash, gaining the iiNet board's support for its new bid over that of rival M2.
Source: iTnews Australia
iiNet board swings behind TPG’s new buyout offer
The board of Internet service provider iiNet confirmed this morning that it supported a revised acquisition offer by TPG.
Source: Computerworld
Tue, 05th May 2015
Internet.org opens up to sites without HTTPS or JavaScript
Facebook has announced a process to open Internet.org to more websites, provided they meet certain restrictions and are approved by the social network.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Mon, 04th May 2015
Privacy ruling goes beyond data-retention requirements: Telstra
Telstra is challenging a ruling by Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim requiring the telco to hand over volumes of metadata to a journalist who requested it.
Source: ZDNet Australia
PIN system to improve deafblind access to telco service centres
A new model has been proposed to make it easier for deafblind consumers to access telco customers service call centres.
Source: iTWire
ACMA cracks whip over unlicensed mobile phone repeaters
ACMA and NSW Fair Trading are warning consumers that owning or operating an unlicensed mobile phone repeater can land you with a two year prison sentence.
Source: iTWire
NBN considers extra charges for regional satellite users
The national broadband network builder is proposing to charge service providers for instances when end-users miss appointments, make late cancellations or want to reactivate their service.
Source: iTnews Australia
Telco organisation cries foul over journo's 'metadata' victory
Telco industry organisation Communications Alliance says that a ruling by the Privacy Commissioner that will give a journalist access to so-called 'metadata' associated with his mobile phone service has "disturbing ramifications for the telecommunications sector and for its millions of customers throughout Australia".
Source: Computerworld
Australian companies lagging in uptake of digital technologies
Accenture has released new research showing Australian companies are lagging in their uptake of digital technologies, but use of mobile applications to drive benefits is on the increase.
Source: iTWire
Fri, 01st May 2015
Mozilla wants to deprecate HTTP sites to force move to secure web
Mozilla has announced that it wants to phase out non-secure HTTP, and plans to do so by only allowing new features on HTTPS websites.
Source: ZDNet Australia
TPG gears up with new NBN plans from $39.99
TPG is acting aggressively on all fronts, which newly includes a brand new set of NBN plans with more choices, speed options and contract terms.
Source: iTWire
Vodafone delivers up to 20GB ’double data’ for new Red customers
Although we’re still some time away before 20GB per month plans are normal for mobile broadband, Vodafone’s ‘double data’ plan offers a way to get it.
Source: iTWire
TPG share raid delays Vocus/Amcom merger
Amcom has pushed back the date of a scheduled vote on its merger with Vocus to give it time to rally shareholders to cast a ballot for the scheme in the face of active opposition from rival telco TPG.
Source: iTnews Australia
Site-blocking legislation targeted at 'arrogant' Australian infringers
Rights holders and their advocates have argued that while the site-blocking legislation won't stop piracy, it will send a message to Australians illicitly downloading with 'arrogant impunity'.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Thu, 30th Apr 2015
Equinix goes forth with fourth Sydney data centre
The premium data centre market continues seeing strong demand with Equinix investing $97+ million for its fourth facility in Sydney, and fifth in Australia.
Source: iTWire
ACMA overhauls spectrum licence and device rego system
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is transitioning off its ageing RADCOM platform to a new IT system for radiocommunications equipment apparatus and device registration.
Source: iTnews Australia
TPG to block Vocus' $635 million purchase of Amcom
Amcom Chairman, Tony Grist, has come out stating his confusion over why TPG would want to disrupt Vocus’ proposed $635 million acquisition of the Perth-based telco.
Source: ARN
Vocus asks ACCC to investigate TPG blocking Amcom deal
Vocus has asked the Australian competition watchdog to investigate rival TPG's decision to up its stake in Amcom with the intention of blocking Amcom's sale to Vocus.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telstra names new CFO
Telstra's head of products will become the telco's new chief financial officer tomorrow when its current CFO steps up to lead the organisation as outgoing chief David Thodey's replacement.
Source: iTnews Australia
TPG boosts Amcom stake to block Vocus merger
Vocus Communications and Amcom will embark on a "mass offensive" to get 80 percent of the latter's shareholders to vote for a proposed merger after rival TPG last night increased its stake in Amcom to block the bid.
Source: iTnews Australia
iiNet gives TPG opportunity to match M2 acquisition offer
The board of Internet service provider iiNet has formally offered TPG the opportunity to submit a counter-bid to M2’s acquisition offer.
Source: Computerworld
M2 Group gains upper hand in iiNet bidding war after $1.6 billion bid
M2 Group now appears to have the higher ground on TPG in the bidding war that has erupted over iiNet.
Source: ARN
Wed, 29th Apr 2015
NBN database quirk hitting broadband resellers
The ability for NBN retailers in Australia to compete with Telstra in selling new services to the network is being hampered by an NBN Co database quirk, according to MyNetFone chief Rene Sugo.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telstra sells 4G LANES for mining, enterprise
After a successful pilot of dedicated 4G 'lanes' for emergency services during the G20 last year, Telstra is now selling the service in enterprise, particularly mining.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Foxtel wants to force search engines to block pirate sites
Foxtel wants to expand a proposed law that will force Internet service providers to block subscriber access to pirate websites.
Source: Computerworld
Fall in telco customer complaints, service satisfaction levels ‘mixed’
Customers are a mixed bag when it comes to their varying levels of satisfaction with their telecommunications providers over the past two years. Nevertheless, telco customer complaints to the industry ombudsman are at an eight-year low.
Source: iTWire
Rio Tinto fears spectrum lockout by 4G telcos
Rio Tinto wants the federal government to limit the amount of 1800MHz spectrum to be auctioned to mobile telcos, spectrum the miner relies on to deploy microwave backhaul to remote mine sites.
Source: iTnews Australia
Australia's telcos in early battle over regional 4G auction
Australia's second and third largest telcos Optus and Vodafone are arguing for the Government to restrict market leader Telstra from increasing its regional advantage in the upcoming 1800MHz spectrum auction.
Source: iTnews Australia
Tue, 28th Apr 2015
EA's Origin will now offer refunds - backed by Australian consumer law
Sorry Electronic Arts, but you do owe Australian consumers.
Source: PC Authority