Broadband News
Tue, 29th Sep 2020
Telstra loses case against Optus ad wording, ordered to pay costs
Australia's biggest telco Telstra has lost a case it filed against its nearest competitor, Singtel Optus, in the Federal Court, claiming that wording used in an ad by the latter indicated that it (Optus) had greater coverage of Australia than Telstra.
Source: iTWire
Mon, 28th Sep 2020
Telstra's 'targeted launch' of 5G Home Internet plus NBN speed boosts on non-FTTN plans, too
With Telstra receiving payments from NBN Co for each Telstra customer that connects to an NBN connection, Telstra's 5G Home Internet rollout has to be targeted, but promises from 50 to 300Mbps speeds with a 500GB data cap for $85 per month - and there are 215Mbps Superfast and 250Mbps Ultrafast options for FTTP and HFC but not FTTN customers, and faster typical evening speeds, too.
Source: iTWire
Telstra loses to Optus in network coverage ad case
Telstra has lost a court case against rival Optus over advertisements it claimed could mislead consumers on whose mobile network had better coverage.
Source: iTnews Australia
Thu, 24th Sep 2020
Former NBN boss says network rollout to homes should always have been the priority
The former head of NBN Co has criticised the recently announced plan to give 6 million houses access to ultra-fast internet, saying it would have cost less for both the Government and customers if it had been done in the first place.
Source: ABC News
The NBN was pricing itself into oblivion and its dramatic change of tack may just save it
The decision to upgrade NBN access for millions of Australians is a welcome decision for consumers, the organisation itself and for an economy in the middle of a recession. The question is, why has it taken so long, asks Ian Verrender.
Source: ABC News
Govt's fibre flip welcomed, but experts differ on what it will achieve
The Coalition Government's decision to provide fibre connections to about 75% of homes on the NBN, making a total of eight million in all by the end of 2023, has been welcomed by tech experts, but there have been some reservations about what the policy would actually achieve.
Source: iTWire
Wed, 23rd Sep 2020
Telcos welcome NBN Co announcement on business fibre zones
Australian telecommunications providers have welcomed the move by the NBN Co to spend up to $700 million on creating 240 Business Fibre Zones, including a presence in 85 regional centres. The plan was announced on Tuesday.
Source: iTWire
Fibre to the basement left out of NBN plan to update fibre to the node
Users of the National Broadband Network (NBN) that live or work within multi-dwelling units can stop being excited about an upgrade path for the near future, as the company's upgrade plans announced on Wednesday morning do not take that technology into account.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN Co stands by mixed tech approach amid fibre overhaul plan
NBN Co has defended its government mandated multi-technology mix rollout as it looks down the barrel of a more fibre-focused future.
Source: ARN
NBN Co only expects 400,000 FTTN users to have active fibre services by 2024
The government’s $3 billion upgrade of half of the fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) footprint to full fibre will be significantly less impactful than announced, with only 400,000 premises expected to have active last-mile fibre connections by FY24.
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN Co to provide "instant online quotes" for Technology Choice upgrades
NBN Co is set to make major changes to its user-pays upgrade scheme, removing application fees and providing “instant online quotes”.
Source: iTnews Australia
The NBN is getting an upgrade, but does that mean your internet's about to get faster?
Millions of Australians are set to get access to high-speed internet as the NBN is upgraded over the next three years. Here's what you need to know about whether that includes you.
Source: ABC News
Details of NBN Co's $3bn FTTN upgrade are still undecided
A $3 billion plan to upgrade half of the NBN fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) network to full fibre still needs to be put to industry consultation, where finer details of the offer will be determined.
Source: iTnews Australia
'Monumental policy backflip': NBN backdown slammed by former PM Rudd
Millions of Australians are set to get access to ultra-fast broadband under a $3.5 billion upgrade to the NBN, expected to be finished by 2023, in a backdown by the Government from its original plan for the network's rollout.
Source: ABC News
NBN Co to spend $3bn upgrading half of FTTN network to full fibre
The federal government will offer last-mile fibre upgrades to half of NBN Co’s fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) footprint under a $3 billion plan announced today.
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN build to bring major jobs boost to economy
The building of the National Broadband Network will create a total of 25,000 jobs across the economy in two years, including almost 10,000 in regional Australia, according to newly released economic impact analysis.
Source: iTWire
Tue, 22nd Sep 2020
New customers can save $10 per month on Telstra NBN
Starting today new Telstra customers get $120 off selected NBN plans over the course of 12 months.
Source: WhistleOut
Govt ties business fibre upgrades to NBN Co's financial achievements
NBN Co’s ability to offer free fibre to more businesses is enabled by the company’s financial achievements, the government says, raising questions about what kind of financial performance is required before residential upgrades are offered.
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN throws AU$700 million at hooking up 700,000 businesses with fibre
The company responsible for the National Broadband Network (NBN) announced on Tuesday it was spending AU$700 million to create 240 "business fibre zones" that will cover 700,000 business premises.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN Co to spend $700m on 240 'business fibre zones' across Australia
NBN Co is set to spend as much as $700 million creating 240 “business fibre zones” across Australia where every business in the area can get a fibre connection at “CBD zone wholesale pricing”.
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN Co announcement: Labor says Libs now recognise that fibre is better
Labor shadow communications minister Michelle Rowland says the announcement made by NBN Co on Tuesday, about spending up to $700 million on creating 240 Business Fibre Zones, including a presence in 85 regional centres, shows that the Liberal party does not have a clue about either technology or economics.
Source: iTWire
Thu, 17th Sep 2020
Aussie Broadband gives customers a chance to collectively buy a quarter of AU$40m IPO
Victorian-based ISP Aussie Broadband is giving any customers it had at September 7 a chance to purchase between 2,000 and 10,000 shares as part of its initial public offering (IPO).
Source: ZDNet Australia
Netflix, YouTube to lift Aussie bitrate restrictions once more
Bitrate restrictions re-introduced by Netflix and YouTube in Australia could be lifted again permanently from next week, with at least one retail service provider believing they are “unlikely” to be reinstated.
Source: iTnews Australia
Boost Mobile's 20 years of success in telco disruption
It has been 20 years since Boost Mobile launched, becoming a massive brand in the US and a great success in Australia too, supporting a range of sports but also by offering and even pioneering genuinely competitive offers on Australia's best network.
Source: iTWire
Tangerine is doing practically unlimited home wireless broadband if you're sick of the NBN
Just in case you want to watch 25 days straight of YouTube every month.
Source: WhistleOut
Optus switches on 100th mobile black spot tower
Optus has switched on its 100th mobile black spot tower, with a newly activated tower going live at the south east Queensland town of Boreen Point, as it works towards its goal of delivering a total of 47 mobile black spot sites across Queensland.
Source: iTWire
Tue, 15th Sep 2020
NAB strikes enterprise telco deal with TPG
NAB has struck an enterprise agreement with TPG Telecom that will see it use a mix of TPG and NBN fixed-line services as well as Vodafone mobile services.
Source: iTnews Australia
Uniti Wireless bumps up OptiComm acquisition offer
OptiComm has flagged its approval of a renewed acquisition offer from Uniti Group valuing the target company at roughly $610 million.
Source: ARN
Telstra pays out more to shareholders than its net profit
In a somewhat surprising display of generosity, Telstra has paid out more as dividends to its shareholders compared to its net profit for the year 2019-20.
Source: iTWire
Fri, 11th Sep 2020
Optus announces new NBN standalone 50/20 and 100/20 plans
Optus has announced new standalone NBN home internet plans that are split into two categories: 50/20Mbps and 100/50Mbps plans.
Source: ZDNet Australia