Broadband News
Tue, 02nd Apr 2019
How Netflix decides what you want to watch
Netflix uses its huge store of data not only to pick which shows it thinks you'll like, but to decide how to promote those shows.
Source: SMH
Telstra unveils rewards program for customers
Telstra has unveiled a rewards program called Telstra Plus that will give its customers points for the money they spend with the telco and they can then use these to obtain discounts on new products and technology.
Source: iTWire
Mon, 01st Apr 2019
NBN Co technicians now missing 469 appointments a day
NBN Co’s technicians are now ‘missing’ 469 appointments a day, though in about one-third of cases the technician is early or late but still completes the work.
Source: iTnews Australia
Fri, 29th Mar 2019
ACCC, Telstra back price stability for copper services
Telcos that sell voice and broadband services using Telstra’s copper network look unlikely to get a price cut, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) saying it’s inclined to maintain the current regulated pricing levels.
Source: Computerworld
Rats, cables and NBN: One journo's tale of 48 days without internet
This is the story of an exhaustive battle to remain connected to the internet via ageing infrastructure, two rat attacks along the way and the bumpy transition to the NBN, writes Malcolm Sutton.
Source: ABC News
Small ISP attempts to undercut the rest on 100/40 NBN plans
South Melbourne-based NBN provider Tangerine Telecom is claiming to offer the cheapest 100/40 plan, offering a price of $69.90 for the first six months. The ISP has now said that this plan includes unlimited data.
Source: iTWire
Thu, 28th Mar 2019
Optus funded to build 49 new mobile sites in blackspot program
Optus says it has successfully secured funding to build 49 new mobile sites as part of Round 4 of the Federal Government's mobile black spot program.
Source: iTWire
Telco sales practices called into question by ACCAN
Telecommunications customer service representatives are being encouraged to concentrate on selling over service, with the result that consumers are confronted by questionable sales tactics.
Source: iTWire
Why the fax machine refuses to die
The fax, with its 170 years of history, is a symbol of obsolete technology long superseded by computers — but it's far from dead. So who is keeping it alive?
Source: ABC News
Aussie Broadband releases support app on iOS, Android
Small ISP Aussie Broadband has launched a support app for its customers and created a matching version on its online portal.
Source: iTWire
Wed, 27th Mar 2019
NBN Co makes final move to kill off 12Mbps broadband plans
NBN Co is putting the squeeze on the quarter of its user base that have not yet upgraded to more expensive plans by making their existing services even more congested or costly.
Source: iTnews Australia
Tue, 26th Mar 2019
Morrison flags new laws to stop social media platforms being 'weaponised'
Scott Morrison is foreshadowing tough new criminal laws to crack down on social media companies which fail to quickly remove footage like that streamed by the gunman in the New Zealand massacre.
Source: Computerworld
Apple enters video streaming, updates news, game and payment apps
Apple lifted the curtain on Monday on a television and movie streaming service that will allow users of its 1.4 billion gadgets worldwide to stream television shows and movies, both Apple originals and those from other creators, in a first step to challenge streaming video leaders Netflix and Amazon.
Source: iTnews Australia
Mon, 25th Mar 2019
CA wants stronger, enforceable protections for telecoms consumers
The telecommunications industry lobby group, Communications Alliance, has told the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) it wants stronger, enforceable protections for Australia’s telecommunications consumers.
Source: iTWire
Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone fail to provide information to consumers with disability
According to an ACCAN research project, telcos failed to provide information about products catered for consumers with disability when reasonably required 50 percent of the time.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Comms authority warns Australian telcos over disability information failures
Telstra, Optus and Vodafone have been warned for failing to provide disabled consumers with adequate guidance about suitable products and services.
Source: ARN
NBN Co warns against scammers impersonating its staff
NBN Co, the firm rolling out Australia's national broadband network, has warned customers not to be taken in scammers who try to impersonate its officials.
Source: iTWire
Optus stopping Braille bills, looking for alternatives
Singtel Optus will stop issuing bills in Braille to visually-impaired customers as it is moving to a new billing platform, the telco says.
Source: iTWire
EU to drop threat of Huawei ban but wants 5G risks monitored: sources
The European Commission will next week urge EU countries to share more data to tackle cybersecurity risks related to 5G networks but will ignore US calls to ban Huawei, four people familiar with the matter said on Friday.
Source: iTnews Australia
Fri, 22nd Mar 2019
Telstra wins rights to Belong trademark after court case
Australia's biggest telco Telstra has prevailed in a Federal Court trademark case against an energy firm known as Belong Energy which was founded late in 2018.
Source: iTWire
MNF Group sells fixed line residential broadband customer base
Sydney-headquartered MNF Group has entered into an asset sale agreement that will see the publicly-listed company sell its fixed line residential broadband customer base to Southern Phone.
Source: ARN
Thu, 21st Mar 2019
NBN Co's on-time connections slip to 84 percent
NBN Co is likely to face fresh questions over new installations after revealing it meets agreed timeframes only 84 percent of the time, compared to 97 percent of the time just four months ago.
Source: iTnews Australia
TPG-Vodafone merger decision set for May
May 9 will see the ACCC’s draft decision be finally handed down on whether TPG and Vodafone will be allowed to merge.
Source: ZDNet Australia
ACCC sets 9 May as decision day for TPG-Vodafone merger
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has announced that it will hand down its final decision on the proposed merger between TPG Telecom and Vodafone Hutchison Australia on 9 May.
Source: iTWire
Wed, 20th Mar 2019
Netflix claims 11m Australian users, as pay TV/subscription TV market growth soars
Netflix says nearly 14 million Australians now have access to some form of pay TV or subscription TV, up 11.8% on a year ago, with the increase driven by Netflix as well as other SVOD services including Stan, YouTube Premium and Amazon Prime Video.
Source: iTWire
Telstra turns on 10,000th mobile network site
Telstra has turned on its 10,000th mobile network site, throwing the switch on a 5G site in the regional Australian city of Toowoomba.
Source: iTWire
Tue, 19th Mar 2019
Telstra, Optus and Vodafone temporarily block websites after Christchurch attack
Telstra, Optus and Vodafone have instituted temporary ISP-level blocks on websites hosting footage of last Friday’s Christchurch attacks.
Source: iTnews Australia
TPG takes a $150M hit to profit after mobile network halt
TPG Telecom has closed the first half of 2019 with $46.9 million in net profit after tax, down 76.4 per cent or $151.2 million less than the previous corresponding year.
Source: ARN
TPG profit smashed by mobile network cancellation
Telecommunications provider TPG Telecom has announced a reported net profit after tax of $46.9 million for the first half of its 2019 fiscal year, which ended on 31 January, a drop of 76.4% from $198.6 million, year on year.
Source: iTWire
Slow internet speeds no roadblock for top-flight Australian gamer
Ashley 'Trill' Powell has overcome slow and patchy internet coverage in Broome to become one of e-sports' biggest athletes in Overwatch.
Source: ABC News