Broadband News

Thu, 19th Dec 2019

Almost all of Vodafone's plans have "unlimited" data now

Vodafone's "data that never ends" is now available on more plans than ever.

Source: WhistleOut

NBN impersonations most common phone scam in 2019

Scammers impersonating NBN representatives were the most reported scam to the Australian Media and Communications Authority (ACMA) during 2019.

Source: ARN

NBN Co to trial 750/50Mbps as 'near gigabit' HFC tier

NBN Co is set to trial what is effectively a 750/50Mbps tier as a near gigabit plan for the hybrid-fibre coaxial (HFC) portion of its network.

Source: iTnews Australia

Govt to auction more mobile broadband spectrum in 'late 2021'

The government is set to auction extra mobile broadband spectrum in late 2021 that will be freed up in a reorganisation of the 850MHz and 900MHz bands.

Source: iTnews Australia

Most complained-about telcos revealed in Communications Alliance report

The most complained about telecommunications providers have been revealed in the first 'expanded' Complaints in Context report by the Communications Alliance.

Source: ARN

Australian telcos to provide roaming alerts beyond SMS

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced from July 2020 that Australian telcos will need to alert users of roaming charges through alternative means as well as SMS.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Wed, 18th Dec 2019

MyRepublic crowned most complained about in Comms Alliance 'expanded' report

It is the first 'expanded' Complaints in Context report to be released since the Telecommunications Consumer Protections code was enforced in August.

Source: ZDNet Australia

iiNet blames hardware fault for six-day email brown-out

iiNet has revealed that a hardware problem is behind the five-days-and-counting email brown-out experienced by customers of its Netspace sub-brand.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN Co offers holdouts half-price internet for a year

NBN Co is hoping to drive take-up in the fixed line footprint with a “first timers discount” that gives half-price internet for a year to new users that have so far rebuffed offers to join.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN Co pitches new incentives to resellers for business boost

NBN Co is planning to introduce new incentives for its channel partners and RSPs from January in a bid to boost business NBN services uptake.

Source: ARN

iiNet hit by five-day mail outage

Customers of iiNet’s sub-brand Netspace have had trouble accessing email for at least five days, and the ISP can’t say when normal service will be resumed.

Source: iTnews Australia

Tue, 17th Dec 2019

Canberra flags wholesale benchmarks for NBN and infrastructure providers in 2020

The Australian government has released the second tranche of its consumer safeguards review, following its first release a year prior.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Telco resellers face new rules amid consumer safeguards overhaul

New rules governing how telecommunications RSPs deal with their customers and provide services could come into play under new recommendations.

Source: ARN

NBN Co faces "aggregate" reliability standards

NBN Co’s connection and repair timeframes and keeping of appointments “need to improve beyond what is being currently offered”, a report released by the government says.

Source: iTnews Australia

Exetel hit with ACMA fine over delay in lodging complaints reports

Internet service provider Exetel has been fined $12,600 by the Australian Communications and Media Authority for failing to lodge complaints reports on time.

Source: iTWire

Exetel fined for failing to comply with complaints rules

Exetel has forked out $12,600 for an infringement notice issued by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for failing to lodge complaints reports on time.

Source: ARN

Mon, 16th Dec 2019

It's back: 100GB Optus network phone plan for $28 per month

One of Australia's newest telcos, Circles.Life, is slinging a 100GB plan for just $28 per month.

Source: WhistleOut

Canberra squares up to 5G safety concerns as pace of rollout picks up

The federal government has pledged $9m to address community concern about the safety of 5G, as the rollout of the next generation of mobile technology gathers pace.

Source: SMH

Thu, 12th Dec 2019

Aussie Broadband introduces cheaper NBN 100 / 20 plans

Aussie Broadband has rejigged its plan range with the introduction of new NBN 100 / 20 plans.

Source: WhistleOut

The ACCC is going to need a standard speed measurement for one ADSL2+

On Wednesday, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) published the submissions to its inquiry into the lower end of the NBN market, launched in October.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Govt to provide $26.9m for ACCC to monitor digital platforms

The Federal Government will provide $26.9 million for the Australian competition watchdog to keep an eye on competition issues arising with digital platforms, with the ACCC to set up a special unit for this purpose.

Source: iTWire

NBN Co opposes regulating NBN service pricing

NBN Co has strongly opposed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s prospect of regulating prices of entry level NBN services.

Source: ARN

TPG 'contemplates' future of sub-$60 NBN plans

TPG has threatened to pull its cheapest sub-$50 a month NBN plans off the market - and potentially all 12Mbps plans it offers, which could cause major repercussions for price-sensitive users.

Source: iTnews Australia

Wed, 11th Dec 2019

NBN Co challenges Australia's $60 broadband 'sweet spot'

NBN Co is fighting a government-led bid to create an unlimited “entry-level” product for $60 a month by challenging the extent to which that sweet spot ever existed in Australia’s broadband market.

Source: iTnews Australia

Vocus calls NBN Co's constant price discounts a "con"

NBN Co’s use of temporary discounts and waivers to change its prices are a “con” that result in little more than “sugar hits” for internet providers and end users, according to Vocus.

Source: iTnews Australia

Aussie Broadband pins unlimited 100/20Mbps plan as new NBN flagship

In the wake of National Broadband Network announcing its new pricing structure at the end of November, Aussie Broadband has unveiled a new set of residential plans.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Tue, 10th Dec 2019

Save $10 per month on most Telstra mobile plans

Telstra is discounting most of its mobile plans by $10 per month for your first 12 months.

Source: WhistleOut

Accessible Telecoms made easier with Vodafone: ACCAN

People with disability will now be able to access in-store information about telco products suited to their needs through a new partnership between disability telecommunications service Accessible Telecoms and Vodafone Australia.

Source: iTWire

Optus completes 5G data call using 2300MHz spectrum

Optus is claiming to have made the world's first 5G data call using 2300MHz spectrum.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Optus and Ericsson make 5G call over 2300MHz

​​Optus has made its first 5G data call over 2300MHz spectrum in what is being claimed to be a world-first by a telecommunications carrier.

Source: ARN