Broadband News
Mon, 10th Dec 2018
Qld govt sets up FibreCo to offer internet backhaul
The Queensland government is setting up a state-owned entity called FibreCo Qld that will open up 6000km of existing fibre optic backhaul cabling to carry residential internet traffic.
Source: iTnews Australia
Fri, 07th Dec 2018
NBN Co rebates are 'weak incentive' for fixing faults
The NBN Co is still not being incentivised enough to fix service, submissions to public inquiry have argued.
Source: ARN
NBN Co may have to pay users stuck in congested wireless cells
NBN Co is facing the prospect of paying rebates to users in congested wireless cells, as well as daily rebates where any network connection is dogged by a fault for a long time.
Source: iTnews Australia
ACCC launches inquiry into NBN rebates
The ACCC is seeking feedback on NBN's long-term rebate framework.
Source: ZDNet Australia
ACCC scrutinises whether telcos get enough data from NBN Co
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s inquiry into NBN Co’s wholesale service standards has entered its “next phase,” the ACCC said today.
Source: Computerworld
Australia passes bill to force tech firms to hand over encrypted data
Australia's parliament has passed a bill to force tech firms such as Google, Facebook and Apple to give police access to encrypted data.
Source: ARN
Thu, 06th Dec 2018
ACCC to continue regulating backhaul
With the NBN creating "some degree of uncertainty", the ACCC has decided to continue regulating backhaul, but has said there is enough competition at 137 metro and 27 regional exchanges.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Encryption bill: compromise a result of bullying, claims IA
The compromise encryption bill drafted by the government and Labor demonstrates just one thing – that bullying pays off, the head of Internet Australia, Dr Paul Brooks, claims.
Source: iTWire
Origin energises customers with broadband service launch
Power company Origin has launched a new broadband service for its customers who have their gas and electricity services with Origin already.
Source: iTWire
Telstra shows off 5G video call, 5G hub in Sydney
Telstra has demonstrated a 5G to 5G video call and also what it claims is the world's first connection of a 5G mid-band commercial device during a presentation in Sydney.
Source: iTWire
Wed, 05th Dec 2018
Optus to retire Vividwireless
Optus is set to close Vividwireless, one of Australia’s earliest wireless internet operators, in April 2019.
Source: iTnews Australia
Government backs USG delivery via NBN and Telstra
The Universal Service Guarantee will be best delivered by NBN for broadband, and Telstra for voice services, the Australian government has said.
Source: ZDNet Australia
TPG board avoids second strike and spill
TPG looks to have avoided a second strike and the threat of a board spill after 94 percent of proxy votes were cast in favour of its remuneration report.
Source: ZDNet Australia
ACCC hauls Activ8me to court
Following a AU$12,600 penalty earlier this year, Activ8me is again facing legal action from the ACCC for its allegedly misleading advertisements over the cost of its NBN services.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Backhaul competition better but regulation still needed, ACCC finds
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is of a mind to continue to regulate the backhaul market in some parts of the country, but a draft decision released today by the ACCC would end regulation in 137 metro and 27 regional areas.
Source: Computerworld
Encryption bill: CA chief wants 'dangerous loophole' plugged
The Federal Government must act to plug a "dangerous loophole" in its encryption bill before it is passed by Parliament before the end of Thursday, the chief executive of the lobby group Communications Alliance, John Stanton, has said.
Source: iTWire
NBN Co is a victim of its own success: Telco review
The NBN Co has become a “victim of its own success” in regional Australia due to unprecedented demand for data, an inquiry has found.
Source: ARN
NBN and government should co-fund tech choice program: Regional telco review
The regional telecommunications independent review committee has recommended that NBN be clearer about tech upgrades, look into satellite and fixed-wireless issues, and increase data allowances.
Source: ZDNet Australia
NBN Co should be paying some costs for area switches
NBN Co should co-invest in area switches in regional and remote Australia so more go ahead and defray its own future upgrade costs for the fixed wireless and satellite networks.
Source: iTnews Australia
TPG faces allegations of misleading customers over plan prepayments
Telecommunications services provider TPG Telecom is facing allegations in the Federal Court by Australia’s competition watchdog, the ACCC, that it engaged in misleading conduct about a $20 "pre-payment" made by consumers, and including unfair pre-payment contract terms in some of the its plans.
Source: iTWire
Tue, 04th Dec 2018
Federal Government and Labor strike deal on encryption laws
New powers to allow police and intelligence agencies to intercept encrypted messages sent between terror suspects are expected to pass the Federal Parliament this week.
Source: ABC News
TPG caught in the ACCC firing line for misleading customers
The ACCC is seeking compensation for TPG Internet customers that have been caught up in its misleading conduct in relation to unfair prepayment consumer contract terms.
Source: ARN
TPG's $20 'prepayment' for extras lands it in hot water
TPG is set to face federal court proceedings over a $20 “prepayment” it takes from customers to cover costs incurred - but not included - in telecommunications plans, such as overseas calls.
Source: iTnews Australia
'Far too early to write the obituary for fixed broadband' as Telstra unveils 5G mobile plans
The focus of Telstra investor day this year is its new 5G mobile network. Sure it's fast, but will phone users notice the difference and will it be quick enough to drive people away from the NBN?
Source: ABC News
Defence turns on billion-dollar Telstra comms network
After years of delay and more than $1.3 billion, the Department of Defence is finally approaching the end of its tumultuous fixed telecommunications network replacement project with Telstra.
Source: iTnews Australia
Mon, 03rd Dec 2018
ACMA kicks off Scam Technology Project
The ACMA is looking into how to implement new networking technologies to prevent scam calls from coming through to Australians.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Australia’s diplomats at odds with crypto bill
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has said it “is pleased to endorse” international movements for a stable cyber environment free from state interference - a position which appears to put it at odds with some provisions of the government's Assistance and Access Bill.
Source: iTnews Australia
Fri, 30th Nov 2018
Vertiv chosen to build Sunshine Coast subsea cable landing station
Vertiv has won the tender to design and build the cable landing station for the Sunshine Coast International Broadband Submarine Cable, which will connect to the Japan-Guam-Australia subsea system.
Source: ZDNet Australia
Turnbull's 'laws of mathematics' statement is still alive
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's comment about the laws of mathematics, in the lead-up to the drafting of the government's encryption bill, has not been forgotten, with one technology executive referring to it on Friday.
Source: iTWire
Chunk of Aussie Broadband goes on sale ahead of IPO
Investors have been offered a stake in booming ISP Aussie Broadband ahead of its expected IPO.
Source: iTnews Australia