Broadband News
Mon, 10th Dec 2018
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
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