Broadband News
Thu, 01st Aug 2019
Don’t repeat Telstra mistakes when privatising NBN Co, former ACCC head urges
A former head of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Graeme Samuel, has urged the government to focus on the long-term interests of end-users rather than the sales price when privatising NBN Co.
Source: Computerworld
Telemarketers pressure consumers into signing NBN contracts: TIO
A total of 1,729 complaints were received in 2018 about telemarketers using misleading tactics.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Auscom takes a slice of the Sunshine Coast cable network project
Sunshine Coast-based Auscom has been awarded a million dollar contract to provide a key part of the International Broadband Submarine Cable Network.
Source: ARN
Telcos slammed for sleazy NBN sales
The use of high-pressure sales tactics by telcos trying to sell NBN services to households and small businesses has been condemned by groups representing consumers and the telecommunications industry.
Source: Computerworld
Wed, 31st Jul 2019
NBN Co sale shouldn't be about price, says ex-ACCC chair
NBN Co shouldn’t be privatised in the short-term or at the expense of users' best interests, former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) chairman Graeme Samuel says.
Source: iTnews Australia
Optus reveals the extra 'millions' spent a month serving 12Mbps NBN users
Optus is incurring “millions of dollars” a month in excess charges to serve its 12Mbps NBN user base as a result of NBN Co’s price squeeze on the entry-level market.
Source: iTnews Australia
Path still open for InfraCo role in privatised NBN: Telstra CEO
Telstra’s CEO Andy Penn has said there is still potential for the company's InfraCo business to take a stake in NBN Co if the government forges ahead with its privatisation.
Source: Computerworld
Telstra’s former wholesale chief joins NBN Co
Will Irving will join NBN Co as its chief strategy and transformation officer, the network wholesaler announced today.
Source: Computerworld
NBN points to Telstra taking 20% of its revenue in wholesale price debate
After receiving AU$2 billion this year, Telstra is forecast to receive AU$1 billion annually from fiscal year 2021 well into the distant future.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN Co blames Telstra payments as a factor keeping prices high
NBN Co has laid part of the blame for wholesale price woes at Telstra’s feet as pressure mounted on the network builder to revamp its offerings.
Source: iTnews Australia
Tue, 30th Jul 2019
Telstra tells NBN Co to scrap CVC charges
Telstra is the latest internet provider to urge NBN Co to scrap the connectivity virtual circuit (CVC) construct, warning it is driving up prices and pushing consumers to look elsewhere for broadband.
Source: iTnews Australia
Vodafone Australia half year loss reaches $153M
Vodafone Hutchinson Australia (VHA) has closed the half year ended 30 June with a net loss of $153.4 million, a fall from last year's $92.3 million.
Source: ARN
NBN Co upgrades capacity to almost 200 wireless towers
NBN Co has spent the past week performing capacity upgrades for almost 200 fixed wireless towers in six states and territories.
Source: iTnews Australia
NBN Co ponders changes to its contentious pricing structure
With the national broadband network rollout now into its final 12 months, NBN Co's review of its pricing and products provides an opportunity for it to finesse its much-maligned pricing structure.
Source: SMH
Telstra calls in police after 26 exchanges broken into
Telstra is beefing up security at its exchanges after a spate of break-ins across the greater Sydney area.
Source: iTnews Australia
Aussie Broadband backs half-price NBN for 'disadvantaged' users
Aussie Broadband is urging NBN Co to create a “half-price” product for disadvantaged users, while also providing more compelling options for users whose lines - and budgets - support going above 100Mbps.
Source: iTnews Australia
Vandals break into 44 Telstra exchanges, causing potential impact on services
Telstra services are potentially affected after a series of break-ins at 44 exchange buildings across Sydney result in some sites being closed to staff, contractors and customers.
Source: ABC News
Vocus joins Vodafone in wanting NBN CVC construct scrapped
Vocus has renewed pressure on NBN Co to dump the connectivity virtual circuit (CVC) construct, adopting the language of past critics in labelling CVC a “download tax” that inhibits network use.
Source: iTnews Australia
Mon, 29th Jul 2019
Telstra worried about how data retention scope-creepers store what they extract
Telstra says that non-law enforcement organisations accessing telecommunications metadata via a legislative loophole ask for too much data, sometimes don’t pay for it, and may be storing it in an unencrypted form.
Source: iTnews Australia
Small business customers get more from Telstra
Telstra has expanded it services to small businesses with the offer of account management support for small business customers of all sizes.
Source: ARN
Telstra warns NSW influencing Australia-wide mobile costs
Telstra has warned of national repercussions to its mobile network costs if a draft plan by NSW on the rents levied on telcos to host infrastructure on public land is allowed to proceed.
Source: iTnews Australia
Google quiet on ACCC browser monopoly concerns
The search giant used its response to the ACCC to say its advertising platforms help publishers make more money online and drive traffic.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Fri, 26th Jul 2019
ACT Policing had an unauthorised metadata access party 3249 more times in 2015
ACT Policing has confessed that it found 3,249 extra times it accessed metadata without proper authorisation during 2015, on top of the 116 requests disclosed earlier this year.
Source: ZDNet Australia
ACCC Digital Platforms report calls for sweeping reforms
The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission’s Digital Platforms Inquiry has delivered its long-awaited final report, and it recommends a raft of far-reaching regulatory changes to curb the powers of web giants in Australia, and make them more responsible for content they distribute.
Source: iTnews Australia
Thu, 25th Jul 2019
Boomers and Coalition voters least worried by metadata and encryption laws
Almost 40% of those aged over 55, as well as Coalition voters, are not concerned by the introduction of Australia's encryption laws, according to Digital Rights Watch.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Never-Googlers take the ultimate step to guard their data
To take back control of their online data, a hearty few are trying to eliminate all things Google.
Source: SMH
Telstra CEO Penn costed, then rejected, call centre repatriation
Telstra ran the numbers on bringing all of its call centres back to Australia, and decided against it on grounds of cost and complexity.
Source: iTnews Australia
Wed, 24th Jul 2019
Dutton defends metadata protections, claims consequences exist for breaches
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has defended the checks and protections within Australia's data retention regime, following the tabling yesterday of a Commonwealth Ombudsman's report that was released in February.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telstra, Ericsson claim first 5G standalone call in Australia
Telstra and Ericsson claim to have completed Australia's first end-to-end 5G standalone call at the 5G Innovation Centre on the Gold Coast, over the 3.6GHz spectrum and using Ericsson's Baseband 6630, Radio AIR6488 and a 5G SA device based on a MediaTek chipset.
Source: iTWire
More than 10 million now able to connect to NBN, says network builder
More than 10 million homes and businesses are now able to connect to the NBN network with less than twelve months of the build remaining.
Source: iTWire