Broadband News
Fri, 10th May 2019
Could blocking the TPG-Vodafone merger leave phone users worse off?
The ACCC says consumers will benefit from it blocking the TPG-Vodafone merger. But there are plenty of reasons why that could be wrong, writes Stephen Letts.
Source: ABC News
Thu, 09th May 2019
ISP chief demystifies the NBN – in plain English
Along with miserable broadband, the NBN has brought into our lives a number of terms that sound like words from a foreign language that are designed to prevent one from ever understanding what the whole thing is about. The head of one ISP is trying to demystify the network using simple language and everyday analogies.
Source: iTWire
Vodafone Australia and TPG head to court for merger approval
Following the ACCC rejecting its deal, Vodafone and TPG will file in Federal Court for approval.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telstra mum, Optus guarded in response to ACCC merger move
Australia's biggest telecommunications provider Telstra says it has no comment on the decision by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to oppose the proposed merger of TPG Telecom and Vodafone Hutchison Australia.
Source: iTWire
Wed, 08th May 2019
TPG and Vodafone to file legal action in response to ACCC’s decision
TPG Telecom and Vodafone Hutchinson Australia (VHA) plan to file legal action in the Federal Court on the basis that the potential merger will not substantially lessen competition.
Source: ARN
TPG share price crashes as ACCC blocks Vodafone merger
The ACCC says it will oppose the $15 billion merger of Australia's third and fourth biggest telcos, TPG and Vodafone, arguing consumers may end up paying higher prices for less innovative mobile plans.
Source: ABC News
ACCC opposes TPG and Vodafone merger
The ACCC has decided it will oppose the proposed merger between TPG Telecom and Vodafone Hutchison Australia.
Source: ARN
TPG says ACCC report shows it still leads market in delivering on NBN speeds
Telco TPG is touting its lead position for NBN average download speeds in the ACCC’s Measuring Broadband Australia program by the competition watchdog, the ACCC.
Source: iTWire
Tue, 07th May 2019
TPG is still king of NBN speed report
TPG still delivers on its download speed promises the most often, while Exetel won on upload speeds, Telstra on latency, and Optus on the highest number of daily outages, according to the fifth ACCC report.
Source: ZDNet Australia
ACMA warns TPG, Foxtel, Aussie Broadband on priority assistance
TPG, Aussie Broadband, MyRepublic, Foxtel, Activ8me, Exetel, Dodo, Skymesh, Southern Phone, Spintel, and V4 Telecom have been formally warned to provide accurate information on priority assistance services.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN speeds up but many FTTN services underperforming, ACCC says
The latest broadband performance data released by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reveals that NBN speeds have generally improved. However, the ACCC said that a significant proportion of fibre to the node (FTTN) services continue to deliver substandard performance.
Source: Computerworld
Mon, 06th May 2019
NBN Co revenue growth slows as rollout nears completion
NBN Co has reported revenue of $2.04 billion for the first three quarters of its financial year, compared to $1.41 billion for the same nine-month period last year.
Source: Computerworld
NBN pulls in AU$2b revenue so far for FY19
For the first nine months of FY19, NBN has reported AU$2 billion in revenue and negative AU$808 million in EBITDA.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Fri, 03rd May 2019
Qld govt fund bids $494m in swoop on Superloop
No-one could accuse Bevan Slattery of not being able to spin-up a compelling transaction target in the form of specialist ISP and connectivity provider Superloop.
Source: iTnews Australia
Superloop considering takeover offer
An unsolicited offer of AU$1.95 per share has seen Superloop give QIC Private Capital three weeks to conduct due diligence.
Source: ZDNet Australia
QIC makes $494m offer for Superloop
Superloop today revealed that QIC subsidiary QIC Private Capital Pty Ltd had made an unsolicited, non-binding acquisition offer for the ASX-listed network operator.
Source: Computerworld
Over-the-top messaging allows Australia to stop regulating SMS services
Messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, and WeChat offer enough competition that SMS regulation is no longer required, the ACCC has said in its draft MTAS report.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Thu, 02nd May 2019
ACCC proposes to extend regulation of mobile call services
The ACCC has proposed to continue regulating Australia’s domestic Mobile Terminating Access Service (MTAS) for voice services for another five years.
Source: ARN
Telstra cable customers given free speed boost as NBN delays continue
In a bid to manage the number of new NBN connections, Telstra will scrap its speed boost fee, delivering around 100Mbps to all its non-NBN cable customers.
Source: SMH
Wed, 01st May 2019
5G ban yet to hit Huawei Australia’s carrier business
Although the Australian government has blocked the company from participating in the rollout of telcos’ 5G networks, Huawei says it has registered strong growth in its local carrier business.
Source: Computerworld
Labor will invest AU$245m in regional telco programs if elected
Labor’s promises have mirrored the Coalition’s, with AU$160 million to go to the mobile blackspots program and AU$60 million to work on Connected Community Plans with state, territory, and local governments.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Tue, 30th Apr 2019
No info-sharing if you use Huawei, US tells UK
The United States says it sees no distinction between the core of a 5G network and its radio access network, and will reconsider sharing information with any ally that uses equipment made by Chinese vendor Huawei Technologies in its next-generation telecommunications network.
Source: iTWire
Vocus served with class action
Vocus has been served with a class action proceeding filed in the Federal Court of Australia.
Source: ARN
Telstra 4G speeds put it in global elite class: Opensignal
Telstra won on both download speeds and upload speeds while Optus has the best 4G availability, according to Opensignal.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Wed, 24th Apr 2019
UK allows Huawei for 5G: Report
According to a report, Huawei will be allowed to provide antennas and non-core infrastructure for the 5G network build-outs across the United Kingdom.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Telstra strike suspended after ‘promising breakthrough’
Union bosses have suspended further strike action by Telstra employees due to a ‘promising breakthrough’ in negotiations.
Source: ARN
Tue, 23rd Apr 2019
Optus switches on four new mobile towers in Mackay, Bowen Basin
Singtel Optus is continuing its quest to provide a better mobile signal with the switching on of four new mobile towers that will boost coverage in Mackay and Bowen Basin.
Source: iTWire
Thu, 18th Apr 2019
Vocus calls for backhaul component to mobile black spot program
Network operator Vocus says that the government should consider funding carrier-neutral backhaul as part of its mobile black spot program.
Source: Computerworld
Fall in telco complaints for January-March quarter
There has been a year-on-year reduction in the ratio of telecommunications consumer complaints in the first three months of 2019, compared to the same three month period in 2018.
Source: iTWire
Telstra and Optus complaints jump: Comms Alliance
A quarterly complaints report from Comms Alliance and the TIO has found that complaints jumped across Optus and Telstra, and rose slightly for Vodafone during the first three months of the year.
Source: ZDNet Australia