Broadband News
Fri, 14th Dec 2018
Vocus’ newest subsea cable hit by fault
Vocus has confirmed a fault on its Australia Singapore Cable (ASC) system.
Source: Computerworld
Coalition of ‘challenger’ telcos campaigns against TPG-Vodafone merger
Telecommunications coalition Commpete has welcomed a decision by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to seek further input before greenlighting the merger of TPG and Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA).
Source: ARN
NetComm launches NBN-ready modem with 4G backup
ASX-listed networking company NetComm Wireless has unveiled a new dual-mode gateway device that can be used to connect to the NBN or to New Zealand’s Ultra-Fast Broadband network.
Source: Computerworld
Foxtel hit with $25k fine for telemarketing breaches
Broadcast giant Foxtel has been caught in a crackdown on compliance with telemarketing laws and fined $25,200 for breaching requirements for telemarketers to end a call immediately when asked.
Source: iTWire
Thu, 13th Dec 2018
Telstra accuses NBN of charging too much for internet access
Telstra slams the National Broadband Network for doubling the cost of internet access, but NBN Co rejects the allegations and points to improved services.
Source: ABC News
NBN Co reveals 58 percent of HFC network still unserviceable
NBN Co has revealed that 58 percent of its hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) footprint remains unserviceable, seven months after the sales freeze on connections was lifted.
Source: iTnews Australia
TPG, Vodafone $15bn merger met with ACCC 'concerns'
TPG and Vodafone are yet to convince the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) of the merits of their proposed $15 billion merger.
Source: iTnews Australia
TPG and Vodafone plunge as ACCC signals intent to block their merger
Red flags are raised about TPG's plan to merge with Vodafone, leaving open the possibility that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission may block the deal.
Source: ABC News
Vodafone says working closely with ACCC on merger issues
Vodafone Hutchison Australia says it has engaged closely with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission about its proposed merger with TPG Telecom, providing significant information about the consumer benefits and challenges faced by providers.
Source: iTWire
Telstra launches revamp of services for small business
Telstra has unveiled a major revamp of its support for Australian small businesses, including a new mobile and tablet plan with no lock-in contract and no excess data charges in Australia.
Source: iTWire
Wed, 12th Dec 2018
Govt estimates fixed voice users in NBN satellite and wireless areas
The government has offered a glimpse of the number of fixed voice services that remain active in the NBN fixed wireless and Sky Muster footprints.
Source: iTnews Australia
Telstra announces T22 small business plans
No lock-in contracts, 24/7 IT support, more small business specialists, unlimited data broadband plans, and Telstra Business Technology Centres have been announced under the telco's new small business offerings.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN Co technicians missed 430 appointments a day
NBN Co’s technicians missed an average of 430 appointments a day in the year to June 30 this year.
Source: iTnews Australia
Telstra CEO: No free emergency texts for Queensland
Telstra provides emergency alert text messages to Queensland residents as part of a commercial contract with the state government, with CEO Andy Penn saying it will not do so for free.
Source: ZDNet Australia
ACCC launches pricing inquiry for Telstra copper regulation
The ACCC is considering whether to price Telstra's regulated copper and ADSL services in reference to pre- and post-NBN completion periods.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Competition watchdog prepares for new ruling on Telstra wholesale prices
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched a preliminary consultation on the pricing and non-price terms and conditions of access for a range of services delivered over Telstra’s copper network.
Source: Computerworld
ACCC prepares to gather more NBN data from telcos
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued new rules for Internet service providers (ISPs) that will require them to periodically hand over to the ACCC a range of data relating to services on their networks.
Source: ARN
Tue, 11th Dec 2018
17.5k NBN satellite users have no 3G
Around 17,500 Sky Muster satellite users have no 3G coverage, and NBN has not taken into account obstructions that could also limit mobile coverage.
Source: ZDNet Australia
How your apps and phone could change after ACCC recommendations
Australians consumers could soon become much more active participants in the collection of their data and the selection of the internet tools available on their chosen devices.
Source: SMH
Mon, 10th Dec 2018
Facebook, Google face crackdown as ACCC calls out their market dominance
The internet media giants would be required to make it clearer to consumers how their private information is used, get proper consent and face significant penalties for breaching privacy laws, according to a report by the consumer watchdog.
Source: ABC News
Ban Chrome as default browser, limit Facebook user data harvesting: ACCC crackdown
Google and Facebook are facing a raft of tough new anti-monopoly laws that heavily constrain the way they collect data on users and ban the default setting of browsers like Chrome on new devices under a suite of recommendations released by Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Source: iTnews Australia
Telcos fork out big for 5G in NSW-QLD regional corridor
Fierce demand for regional 5G spectrum created a windfall for the federal government as major telcos forked out up to 50 times above the reserve at a recent auction.
Source: iTnews Australia
Optus prepares for 5G expansion with spectrum acquisition
Australia’s second largest telco Optus has acquired new regional licences for its customers in the 3.6 GHz spectrum band, earmarking them for the delivery of its 5G telecommunications services.
Source: iTWire
Penn says Telstra set to lead in 5G capabilities
Securing between 30-80 MHz nation-wide in the 3.6 GHz spectrum will ensure that Telstra plays the leading tole in bring 5G capabilities and super-cast connections to Australians in both urban and rural areas, the company's chief executive Andrew Penn says.
Source: iTWire
Australians keep their options open on broadband, mobile and home phones: survey
Australians considering switching their service providers for fixed broadband, mobile phone, home phone, electricity and gas are all far more likely to visit comparison websites in an average four weeks than the typical Australian, according to a new report.
Source: iTWire
Telstra wins big in 5G spectrum auction with $386M bid
Telstra has scored the biggest chunk of 3.6 GHz band 5G following a spectrum auction held last month.
Source: ARN
Vodafone says spectrum buy boost to 5G preparations
Vodafone Hutchison Australia chief executive Iñaki Berroeta says the company's "significant spectrum investment", along with TPG Telecom, has delivered one of the key pieces in its 5G preparations.
Source: iTWire
Telstra heads four companies in buying 5G spectrum
Telstra has picked up the largest number of lots in the 5G spectrum auction organised by the Australian Communication and Media Authority in the 3.6 GHz band.
Source: iTWire
Telstra, Optus, TPG-Vodafone win 5G spectrum
Telstra paid AU$386 million for 143 lots; Optus paid AU$185 million for 47 lots; the TPG-Vodafone Australia joint venture paid AU$263 million for 131 lots; and Dense Air Australia paid AU$18.5 million for 29 lots.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Queensland government seeks broadband boost with ‘FibreCo Qld’
The Queensland government will establish a new entity dubbed FibreCo Qld to help provide cheaper backhaul in regional areas of the state for telcos.
Source: Computerworld