Broadband News
Tue, 30th Jun 2020
Telco credit assessments under scrutiny by ACMA
Australia’s telecommunications regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) says a study it commissioned shows telco in-store sales staff may not be adequately checking that customers have the capacity to pay for the services they are purchasing.
Source: iTWire
Telstra announces ‘major refresh’ of T22 mobile plans, new pricing
Telstra has launched a range of new “radically simplified” post-paid mobile plans which it says will give consumer and small business customers data increase of up to 30GB, as part of a refresh of its T22 strategy which was introduced last year in a move aimed at simplifying the telco’s operations and product sets, improving customer experiences and reducing its cost base.
Source: iTWire
Mon, 29th Jun 2020
Matt spent $11,000 to get an upgraded NBN connection, then his neighbours connected to it for free
Sick of his internet dropping out, software developer Matt Hall paid to have the NBN to his home upgraded. He didn't realise that he was also paying for his neighbours to get cheap access.
Source: ABC News
Department of Finance dismisses idea of discretionary NBN write-down
The Department of Finance has attempted to pour cold water on the idea of writing down the value of the National Broadband Network, stating that any movements in value are dictated by accounting standards.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN Co may have its costs examined in the back half of 2020
NBN Co could wind up having its costs examined in more detail in the back half of the year following a call by Telstra for greater scrutiny.
Source: iTnews Australia
Fri, 26th Jun 2020
COVID has shown Australian broadband can handle working from home: Dept of Comms
The performance of Australia's networks during the coronavirus pandemic, particularly the National Broadband Network, has shown the network itself is not the issue for remote working to continue once pandemic restrictions are lifted, a departmental official said on Friday.
Source: ZDNet Australia
ACMA calls on Facebook, Google, Twitter to develop Australian misinformation code
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) wants digital platforms to work together on the development of a single, industry-wide code of conduct to counter misinformation, centred on the consumer.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Thu, 25th Jun 2020
TPG closes in on Singapore 5G ambitions with mmWave allocation
After missing out on claiming 3.6 GHz mobile band spectrum in Singapore, Australian telco TPG has picked up mmWave spectrum, a move set to see it roll out 5G services across the city state.
Source: ARN
Australians’ data demand on NBN increases during COVID-19
Data demand on the NBN’s main wholesale access service continues to reflect Australians’ reliance on the network to keep them connected and working productively during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report.
Source: iTWire
Wed, 24th Jun 2020
Vodafone Hutchison Australia to become TPG Telecom on Monday
The name Vodafone Hutchison Australia is not long for this world after TPG shareholders approved the merger of the two telcos on Wednesday.
Source: ZDNet Australia
High-speed fibre internet arrives at 500 SA schools
Around 500 public schools across South Australia are now benefiting from high-speed internet after connecting to a Telstra fibre optic network capable of speeds of 1Gbps and up.
Source: iTnews Australia
Tue, 23rd Jun 2020
'Fundamentally flawed': ACCC alleges Dodo and iPrimus misled customers about NBN speeds
The consumer watchdog alleges Dodo and iPrimus used a "fundamentally flawed" testing methodology as the basis for advertising claims about typical evening broadband internet speeds.
Source: ABC News
Vocus to be hauled before Federal Court over NBN speed claims
Vocus is set to have the NBN speed claims of its Dodo and iPrimus brands tested in the federal court after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission filed suit against the company.
Source: iTnews Australia
Mon, 22nd Jun 2020
Australians reported 25,000 phishing scams last year
Australians reported 167,797 scams to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)-controlled Scamwatch in 2019.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Foxtel's soft-look streaming is not the future
As Aussie viewers look far and wide for their entertainment, how long can Foxtel hold out as the only major streaming service to ignore 4K?
Source: SMH
UK telcos told to stockpile Huawei gear
British security officials have told UK telecom operators to ensure they have adequate stockpiles of Huawei equipment due to fears that new US sanctions will disrupt the Chinese firm's ability to maintain critical supplies, according to a letter.
Source: iTnews Australia
With money in sight, ABC changes stance towards Google and Facebook
The ABC has markedly changed its stance towards Google and Facebook, now that the ACCC is pushing for the digital platforms to pay news organisations for using their content.
Source: iTWire
Thu, 18th Jun 2020
NBN broadband data demand continues to peak above pre-COVID-19 levels
Data demand on the National Broadband Network’s main wholesale access service continues to peak above pre-COVID-19 levels as more Australians continue to rely on the network for their work, entertainment and education needs, according to the latest report from NBN Co, the operators of the NBN.
Source: iTWire
Wed, 17th Jun 2020
Qualcomm brings 5G to non-flagship mobiles with Snapdragon 690
Qualcomm is taking 5G beyond flagship devices, with its new Snapdragon 690 chip getting support for the next-gen mobile connectivity, as well as 4K HDR support, and the ability to handle displays capable of a 120Hz refresh rate.
Source: ZDNet Australia
COVID 19 boosts 5G global subcription forecasts
The forecast number of 5G subscriptions worldwide by 2025 has been raised from 2.6 billion to 2.8 billion, with telecommunications equipment maker Ericsson attributing the additional growth to an increasing number of 5G subscriptions as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic.
Source: iTWire
TasmaNet chief sees NBN as critical player in Australia’s ‘return’ to economic growth
Tasmanian communications provider TasmaNet CEO Elizabeth Aris says Australia’s $51 billion investment in the National Broadband Network has never looked so good, but suggests that as the National Cabinet “plots the nation’s return to economic growth”, a wholehearted cross-sector embrace of the NBN’s full potential is essential.
Source: iTWire
Tue, 16th Jun 2020
Australians flock to ‘buy local’ as online shopping increases during COVID 19 crisis
Online shopping activities have increased since the COVID-19 crisis began, with a groundswell of support from consumers wanting to “buy local”, according to a new study by National Broadband Network operators NBN Co.
Source: iTWire
Mon, 15th Jun 2020
Get 100GB for $65 per month with Telstra's latest promo
Telstra has expanded its end of financial year discounts by slashing the prices on its top two SIM-only plans. This brings its 100GB plan down to $65 per month, and its 150GB plan to $85 per month.
Source: WhistleOut
OptiComm snapped up by Uniti for $532m
Private fibre network operator OptiComm will be acquired by Uniti Group for $532 million in cash and shares.
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN Co is testing an online appointment rescheduling tool
NBN Co will test a new online booking tool that allows end users to reschedule inconveniently-timed technician appointments.
Source: iTnews Australia
Optus Sport broadcasts set to resume with return of English Premier League
Optus Sport is set to resume streaming of all 92 remaining live games when the English Premier League provisionally restarts on Thursday 18 June and a full round of fixtures begins on 20 June, after all matches were suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: iTWire
Sun, 14th Jun 2020
The NBN is done. Now the NBN needs to be redone
Barring a major catastrophe, the Coalition Government will be able to announce within a fortnight or so that it has completed the rollout of the national broadband network met its target. One can only hope that, at the same time, there will be an announcement about how the network will be upgraded.
Source: iTWire
Fri, 12th Jun 2020
80pc of kids under 4 'regularly use the internet'. This is what parents need to know
They may not be able to read, write or use a keyboard, but research suggests around 81 per cent of Australian children under four regularly use the internet. But using it, and using it safely are two different things.
Source: ABC News
Thu, 11th Jun 2020
NBN peak broadband data demands 'easing' post-COVID-19, says NBN Co
Peak data demand on the National Broadband Network's main wholesale access service has eased as Australians start returning to schools and workplaces, although peak throughput on the main NBN wholesale access service remains above the pre-COVID-19 baseline.
Source: iTWire
Huawei Australia: ‘There is no plan on the table to deliver truly nationwide 5G’
Huawei Australia has criticised the Federal Government’s 5G roll-out, claiming it will leave rural and regional areas without any coverage.
Source: ARN