Broadband News
Thu, 05th Nov 2020
Internet draws in Australians in greater numbers
More Australians are using the Internet to view and listen to content more than ever before, according to new research.
Source: iTWire
Uncapped 5G home internet now costs extra on Optus
If you were hoping to experience lightning fast 5G home broadband on Optus, it will now cost you extra. While the telco has previously offered uncapped 5G home internet plans for as little as $70 per month, new customers will now pay $90 per month to experience the fastest Optus 5G speeds possible.
Source: WhistleOut
Wed, 04th Nov 2020
Full fibre cheaper for on-demand FttN upgrade model: NBN CEO
The company responsible for the National Broadband Network (NBN) has said it would upgrade customers from fibre to the node (FttN) to fibre to the premise (FttP) because it is cheaper than alternatives such as fibre to the curb (FttC).
Source: ZDNet Australia
Mon, 02nd Nov 2020
Optus to acquire amaysim
Optus today announced plans to acquire amaysim, Australia's largest MVNO, adding approximately 1.19 million subscribers to its customer base. amaysim will continue to operate as a standalone brand under the ownership of Optus, in the same way that Virgin Mobile previously did.
Source: WhistleOut
Fri, 30th Oct 2020
New speeds claim guidance for broadband providers
The competition watchdog has released its updated Broadband Speeds Claim Industry Guidance, aimed at setting broadband providers straight when marketing products with higher maximum download and upload wholesale access speeds.
Source: ARN
Thu, 29th Oct 2020
You can now get 50GB for $35 per month on Vodafone
Vodafone has amped up data across almost all its postpaid mobile plans.
Source: WhistleOut
A Review of Australia’s Metadata Laws Finds Too Many People Can Get Their Mitts on Your Data
Australia’s metadata retentions laws are making it too easy for too many people to access Australian’s data without warrant, according to a review of the controversial scheme.
Source: Gizmodo
CA calls for restricting state agencies' access to metadata
The lobby group representing the telecommunications industry has called on the government to accept recommendations made by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security and repeal two sections of a law which have allowed numerous state agencies to gain access to Australians' telecommunications metadata.
Source: iTWire
Wed, 28th Oct 2020
ACCC chief determined to peg down NBN entry-level pricing
Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Rod Sims told Senate Estimates on Tuesday night that the consumer watchdog was determined to ensure NBN's 12/1Mbps plans remained low, and prices at the low end would not rise "if we have anything to do with it".
Source: ZDNet Australia
Tue, 27th Oct 2020
5G vs NBN: Compare coverage, speed and cost
Australia's 5G networks have arrived and Australians are starting to wonder: which is better? 5G or the NBN? In this guide, we compare the two on price, speed, availability and more.
Source: WhistleOut
Fri, 23rd Oct 2020
NBN Co proposes app bandwidth limits when its wireless network is busy
NBN Co is shopping a proposal to limit the bandwidth consumption of certain applications - including P2P, software and game patches and releases, VPN traffic and ultra-high definition video - in busy times on its fixed wireless network.
Source: iTnews Australia
TPG, Aussie Broadband seek longer-term price change from NBN Co
TPG and Aussie Broadband want NBN Co to take a longer-term view on plan pricing and fees after the network operator floated yet another round of short-term discounts as well as the resurrection of excess bandwidth charges this week.
Source: iTnews Australia
ACCC mulls SMB, non-NBN speed monitoring
The Australian competition watchdog is considering an extension to its broadband speed monitoring program ahead of its expiry next year.
Source: ARN
NBN Co sets a low bar to qualify for a full-fibre upgrade
NBN Co has set a low bar for fibre-to-the-node users to qualify for a last-mile full fibre upgrade, while also revealing the anticipated full cost-per-premises of an upgraded line.
Source: iTnews Australia
Thu, 22nd Oct 2020
ACCC agrees to Uniti Group separation
Uniti Wireless will functionally split its operations in two following approval from Australia’s competition watchdog.
Source: ARN
NBN Co offers discounts and rebates as COVID-19 capacity offer ends
NBN Co is set to offer NBN retailers discounts and rebates on higher speed plans, following the conclusion of its additional capacity offer in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: ARN
Broadband tax model review questions cost clawback
NBN-like operators subject to the regional broadband levy will be mostly subsidising past losses incurred by NBN Co on its fixed wireless and satellite networks, with new advice estimating future losses to 2040 could be covered by a $2.94 charge.
Source: iTnews Australia
Telstra and Optus want mobile blackspot program to consider indoor coverage
Australia's two largest mobile network operators want the Australian government to take into account in-building mobile coverage when selecting sites for future rounds of the mobile blackspot program (MBSP).
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN Co to restart extra bandwidth charges in December
NBN Co will end its 40 percent bandwidth bonus at the end of November, saying peak data demand has returned to “normal forecast levels of growth”.
Source: iTnews Australia
Wed, 21st Oct 2020
ACCC watching US monopoly case against Google, hits back at tech giant's 'popularity'
Australia's competition chief Rod Sims says he's "delighted" that the US Government has Google in its sights in one of the biggest anti-trust lawsuits of the past 20 years.
Source: ABC News
Labor latches onto AU$57 billion figure as NBN cost
The Australian Labor Party has latched onto admissions from representatives of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications that AU$51 billion plus AU$6 billion does indeed equal AU$57 billion.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Consumers, telcos to benefit from new NBN consumer experience rules: ACMA
Australia’s telecommunications regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), has taken action to enhance NBN consumer experience rules to protect Australians during the final phase of the National Broadband Network migration.
Source: iTWire
Tue, 20th Oct 2020
Telstra drops extra large discount on XL mobile plan
Telstra discounted its Extra Large Mobile Plan by $50 per month, skyrocketing it to the best value plan from the provider.
Source: WhistleOut
Fri, 16th Oct 2020
Aussie Broadband lists on the ASX one week early
Aussie Broadband has begun trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) after raising $40 million in an oversubscribed initial public offering (IPO).
Source: iTnews Australia
Aussie Broadband lists on ASX in $40 million IPO
Telecommunications provider Aussie Broadband has listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) with a $40-million initial public offering.
Source: ARN
Port Macquarie gets improved mobile coverage with Optus tower
Mobile phone coverage in the NSW town of Port Macquarie has been boosted with Optus switching on a new tower in the area which it says will deliver even better mobile coverage and connectivity.
Source: iTWire
Thu, 15th Oct 2020
Comms Minister weighs in on watchdog's regulation of the NBN
NBN Co’s wholesale prices, business market competition and spectrum are some of the issues highlighted in federal Communications Minister Paul Fletcher’s Statement of Expectations to the ACCC.
Source: ARN
Amaysim pays $126K penalty for ‘unlimited’ mobile data ad
Telco provider amaysim has paid penalties totalling $126,000 for alleged false or misleading representations about its mobile phone plans in an advertisement posted to Twitter.
Source: ARN
Wed, 14th Oct 2020
Optus says it achieved 2.5Gbps download on new ultra-fast 5G site
Telco Singtel Optus has fired the next shot in the ongoing Australian 5G speed wars, saying it has achieved a download speed of 2.5Gbps using a Samsung Galaxy S20 device on the first of its ultra-fast 5G sites.
Source: iTWire
Fri, 09th Oct 2020
Optus’ NBN 100 plans are now faster
Optus has officially upped it’s typical evening speeds on NBN 100 plans to 90Mbps making it the second fastest provider available.
Source: WhistleOut