Broadband News
Thu, 12th Nov 2020
Higher speed broadband services tick over 5M
The number of higher speed broadband plans of at least 50 Mbps has surpassed the 5 million threshold during last quarter, according to Australia's consumer watchdog.
Source: ARN
Aussie Broadband continues to dominate 250Mbps, gigabit services
Aussie Broadband is continuing to dominate NBN Co’s highest residential speed tiers with 85 percent of sign-ups to up to gigabit plans and 56 percent of 250 Mbps users.
Source: iTnews Australia
Telstra plans to split into three subsidiaries
Telstra wants to go through a corporate restructure that could see it split its operations among three subsidiaries and sell some parts, though it said “no final decisions have been made”.
Source: iTnews Australia
Wed, 11th Nov 2020
ACMA directs Telstra on compliance after overcharging customers almost $2.5 million
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has directed Telstra to comply with its billing accuracy obligations after an investigation found it had overcharged more than 10,000 customers a total of almost $2.5 million over a 12-year period.
Source: iTWire
Tue, 10th Nov 2020
New regulation to force passing of non-NBN broadband wholesaler rebates onto customers
With NBN set to pay its retailers a series of rebates for missing service standards, such as late connections and fault rectifications, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is looking to regulate the same for non-NBN network operators for its next wholesale agreement.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telcos to pass on NBN rebates to customers under proposed rules
Telco retail service providers will need to pass on rebates for missed NBN Co appointments onto their customers under a set of proposed rules by the telco industry regulator.
Source: ARN
Vodafone is gunning for Telstra and Optus with its 500GB iPhone deal
Vodafone will give you more data than you can shake a stick at with its latest iPhone 12 deal.
Source: WhistleOut
Video: Aussie Broadband starts Sydney fibre rollout
Aussie Broadband is running fibre cable through the Sydney Harbour Tunnel to connect the Sydney CBD with North Sydney.
Source: iTWire
Mon, 09th Nov 2020
Australia's MVNO market to shrink as telcos take control
Australia’s mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) market appears to have peaked and is now expected to account for just six percent of mobile subscribers by mid-2023, according to Venture Insights.
Source: iTnews Australia
80% of new NBN customers opting for faster plans
NBN Co has seen sustained demand for its higher speed tiers, with approximately four out of five new customers to the NBN opting for speeds of at least 50 Mbps.
Source: ARN
Fri, 06th Nov 2020
ACCC keeps ‘close watch’ on global anti-trust efforts & digital platforms
Australia’s competition watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, says it is keeping a close watch on global anti-trust efforts focusing on major digital platforms, including the US Department of Justice’s recent case against Google and proposed new competition laws in Europe.
Source: iTWire
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