Broadband News
Wed, 28th Apr 2021
ACCC wants users to be able to replace iOS and Android default apps
Australia's competition watchdog wants to see Apple and Google provide for greater choice of default apps for consumers.
Source: ZDNet Australia
ACCC slams Google and Apple app store domination
The ACCC has come out swinging against the Apple and Google app stores’ market domination, saying measures are needed to address the significant market power in the distribution of mobile apps.
Source: ARN
Tue, 27th Apr 2021
NBN Co to pay down govt debt with $2B US bond raise
NBN Co has undertaken its inaugural finance raising effort in the United States capital markets, pricing a US$2 billion bond issue.
Source: ARN
'Uniquely Canadian turn of events': Eager beaver leaves town without internet after gnawing through cable
A beaver is being blamed for leaving hundreds without internet and mobile services, after it gnawed through a crucial fibre cable and used the remnants to build its dam.
Source: ABC News
iPhone 12 5G access now available on when using TWO SIMs
Before iOS 14.5, it was not possible to use 5G data connectivity on an iPhone 12 when using both the eSIM and a second physical SIM, but as you can see from the attached image, iOS 14.5 has solved this problem.
Source: iTWire
What's the difference between Sky Muster and Sky Muster Plus?
If you've got satellite NBN, you can now pick between Sky Muster and Sky Muster Plus plans. Here's what you need to know about how they differ.
Source: WhistleOut
Mon, 26th Apr 2021
Pentagon surfaces giant netblock for recon and anti IP squatting
The mystery behind the appearance of over 175 million unique Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) addresses in the global network routing table has been partly solved, after the United States Department of Defence came out with an explanation.
Source: iTnews Australia
ACMA releases telco complaints-handling performance data for Dec quarter, CommsAlliance happy, ACCAN concerned
ACMA has published its telco complaints-handling data for the quarter ended December 2020, with the Communications Alliance noting complaints have dropped 40% of a 2 year period.
Source: iTWire
Fri, 23rd Apr 2021
King Island connectivity upgrade to include 110km radio link across Bass Strait
When completed, a 110-kilometre radio link from King Island back to Victoria's Surf Coast will be the longest such link over water in the Telstra network, the company said on Friday.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Five local telcos fork out $647.6M for 5G-enabling spectrum
Telstra, Optus, TPG Telecom subsidiary Mobile JV, Pentanet and Dense Air Australia have won rights to radio spectrum in the 26 GHz band, an optimal ingredient for delivering 5G services in Australia.
Source: ARN
Telstra, Optus, TPG drop $650m on ultra-fast 5G spectrum at auction
Telstra, Optus, TPG Telecom, Dense Air and Pentanet have secured more than half a billion dollars of millimetre-wave spectrum in the first of two 5G spectrum actions to take place this year.
Source: iTnews Australia
TPG Telecom (Vodafone) to 'supercharge 5G' with mmWave spectrum
The new 5G mmWave spectrum will "power 5G fixed wireless and super-fast 5G mobile", and with Optus, Telstra, Dense Air Australia and Pentanet winning mmWave spectrum, the future for Australia is super fast.
Source: iTWire
Optus secures ‘golden GHz’ and unlocks ultra-fast 5G future with 26GHz spectrum acquisition
Optus states it is continuing to build a world-class 5G network which will be made even better with the acquisition of a range of new licences in the 26GHz spectrum band.
Source: iTWire
Telstra claims to reinforce 5G leadership, investing $277 million to secure 1000 MHz nationally in 26 GHz spectrum auction
Telstra has announced it has secured 1000 MHz in the 26 GHz spectrum auction, investing $277 million to further extend its leadership in 5G now - and into the future.
Source: iTWire
ACMA details outcome of 5G millimetre Wave spectrum auction
Five companies have won spectrum in the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s latest spectrum auction in the 26 GHz band. The 26 GHz band has been identified as optimal for the delivery of 5G wireless broadband services.
Source: iTWire
Thu, 22nd Apr 2021
Telco complaints down by 25% during Dec quarter
Telco complaints were down by nearly a quarter for the three months ending December 2020, compared to the same period the year prior, according to new data.
Source: ARN
RSPs fork out to keep high-speed NBN customers on the books
NBN retailers are choosing to pay from their own pockets to keep existing high-speed customers happy - or to lure such customers away from rivals - by matching a steeply discounted price offer not meant for either customer type.
Source: iTnews Australia
Vodafone offers free data weekend as penance for network outage
Vodafone customers will receive free data services this weekend, with the telco calling it a "goodwill" gesture in the aftermath of a nationwide network outage experienced earlier this month.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Mon, 19th Apr 2021
Most MATE mobile plans now come with free music streaming subscriptions
Most MATE mobile subscribers can now get at least a year of free Tidal.
Source: WhistleOut
Aussie Broadband looks for CVC upside from 'white label' customers
Aussie Broadband is hoping that a ‘white label’ arrangement launched last week could help the company offset the growing bandwidth demands of its own customer base, reducing some of its exposure to excess fees charged by NBN Co.
Source: iTnews Australia
Thu, 15th Apr 2021
Satellite NBN providers and their Sky Muster NBN plans compared
Need help picking a Satellite NBN provider? We've got the lowdown on the major providers offering Sky Muster-powered NBN plans.
Source: WhistleOut
Tue, 13th Apr 2021
Save $150 on the iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 mini with Telstra
iPhones rarely go on sale - especially recent models - but Telstra has cut up to $150 from all models until April 19. If you nab an iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12, you'll save $150 from the outright cost (divided over your repayment period). This is equivalent to $6.25 per month on a 24-month term.
Source: WhistleOut
Aussie Broadband moves into white label space
Aussie Broadband announced on Tuesday it has moved into the white label space, with an unnamed company with a customer base of 3 million already signed up.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Aussie Broadband to let resellers sell its services under their own brand
Aussie Broadband is to start letting reseller and retail service provider (RSPs) partners sell its products under their own branding with a new white label solution.
Source: ARN
How NBN Co pieced its service assurance function back together
NBN Co transformed its service assurance function - the part of the company that deals with service faults and outages - under a program of work codenamed ‘Jigsaw’ that is already said to have delivered $100 million in ‘benefits’.
Source: iTnews Australia
Kogan has a new 45GB mobile plan for just $25 per month
Kogan has expanded its range of mobile plans with two new SIM-only plans, one of which will set you back just $25 per month for your first year and get you a sizeable 45GB. The plan is sold on a 12-month contract, and the pricing will only apply during that period, after which you'll need to pay $40 per month. However, you can always bounce when the discount runs out, as your contract will be over too.
Source: WhistleOut
Fri, 09th Apr 2021
Vodafone works on resolving nationwide network outage
Vodafone customers were experiencing outages across the network on Friday, with reports being made via social media from around 11am AEST.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Vodafone hit by nationwide 4G outage
Vodafone is suffering a nationwide outage of its 4G cellular network, with users across Australia unable to access mobile data and voice services.
Source: iTnews Australia
Vocus emerges as earth station builder for Starlink
ASX listed Vocus is building the earth station for satellite broadband service Starlink, set up by Elon Musk's SpaceX, a media report and a search of the New Zealand government radio spectrum management register indicates.
Source: iTnews Australia
Thu, 08th Apr 2021
Optus puts Australians in control of their Mobile and Home connectivity with Optus Pause
Optus has introduced what it calls "a game changing Australian first innovation" that gives its customers "the freedom to ensure they enjoy the time that matters most by opting to pause notifications and connectivity distractions they often face everyday."
Source: iTWire