Broadband News Page 46 - Oz Broadband Speed Test

NBN Co proposes app bandwidth limits when its wireless network is busy

NBN Co is shopping a proposal to limit the bandwidth consumption of certain applications - including P2P, software and game patches and releases, VPN traffic and ultra-high definition video - in busy times on its fixed wireless network.

Source: iTnews Australia

TPG, Aussie Broadband seek longer-term price change from NBN Co

TPG and Aussie Broadband want NBN Co to take a longer-term view on plan pricing and fees after the network operator floated yet another round of short-term discounts as well as the resurrection of excess bandwidth charges this week.

Source: iTnews Australia

ACCC mulls SMB, non-NBN speed monitoring

The Australian competition watchdog is considering an extension to its broadband speed monitoring program ahead of its expiry next year.

Source: ARN

NBN Co sets a low bar to qualify for a full-fibre upgrade

NBN Co has set a low bar for fibre-to-the-node users to qualify for a last-mile full fibre upgrade, while also revealing the anticipated full cost-per-premises of an upgraded line.

Source: iTnews Australia

ACCC agrees to Uniti Group separation

Uniti Wireless will functionally split its operations in two following approval from Australia’s competition watchdog.

Source: ARN

NBN Co offers discounts and rebates as COVID-19 capacity offer ends

NBN Co is set to offer NBN retailers discounts and rebates on higher speed plans, following the conclusion of its additional capacity offer in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: ARN

Broadband tax model review questions cost clawback

NBN-like operators subject to the regional broadband levy will be mostly subsidising past losses incurred by NBN Co on its fixed wireless and satellite networks, with new advice estimating future losses to 2040 could be covered by a $2.94 charge.

Source: iTnews Australia

Telstra and Optus want mobile blackspot program to consider indoor coverage

Australia's two largest mobile network operators want the Australian government to take into account in-building mobile coverage when selecting sites for future rounds of the mobile blackspot program (MBSP).

Source: ZDNet Australia

NBN Co to restart extra bandwidth charges in December

NBN Co will end its 40 percent bandwidth bonus at the end of November, saying peak data demand has returned to “normal forecast levels of growth”.

Source: iTnews Australia

ACCC watching US monopoly case against Google, hits back at tech giant's 'popularity'

Australia's competition chief Rod Sims says he's "delighted" that the US Government has Google in its sights in one of the biggest anti-trust lawsuits of the past 20 years.

Source: ABC News

Labor latches onto AU$57 billion figure as NBN cost

The Australian Labor Party has latched onto admissions from representatives of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications that AU$51 billion plus AU$6 billion does indeed equal AU$57 billion.

Source: ZDNet Australia

Consumers, telcos to benefit from new NBN consumer experience rules: ACMA

Australia’s telecommunications regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), has taken action to enhance NBN consumer experience rules to protect Australians during the final phase of the National Broadband Network migration.

Source: iTWire

Telstra drops extra large discount on XL mobile plan

Telstra discounted its Extra Large Mobile Plan by $50 per month, skyrocketing it to the best value plan from the provider.

Source: WhistleOut

Aussie Broadband lists on the ASX one week early

Aussie Broadband has begun trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) after raising $40 million in an oversubscribed initial public offering (IPO).

Source: iTnews Australia

Aussie Broadband lists on ASX in $40 million IPO

Telecommunications provider Aussie Broadband has listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) with a $40-million initial public offering.

Source: ARN

Port Macquarie gets improved mobile coverage with Optus tower

Mobile phone coverage in the NSW town of Port Macquarie has been boosted with Optus switching on a new tower in the area which it says will deliver even better mobile coverage and connectivity.

Source: iTWire

Comms Minister weighs in on watchdog's regulation of the NBN

NBN Co’s wholesale prices, business market competition and spectrum are some of the issues highlighted in federal Communications Minister Paul Fletcher’s Statement of Expectations to the ACCC.

Source: ARN

Amaysim pays $126K penalty for ‘unlimited’ mobile data ad

Telco provider amaysim has paid penalties totalling $126,000 for alleged false or misleading representations about its mobile phone plans in an advertisement posted to Twitter.

Source: ARN

Optus says it achieved 2.5Gbps download on new ultra-fast 5G site

Telco Singtel Optus has fired the next shot in the ongoing Australian 5G speed wars, saying it has achieved a download speed of 2.5Gbps using a Samsung Galaxy S20 device on the first of its ultra-fast 5G sites.

Source: iTWire

Optus’ NBN 100 plans are now faster

Optus has officially upped it’s typical evening speeds on NBN 100 plans to 90Mbps making it the second fastest provider available.

Source: WhistleOut

NBN Co to deploy more fixed wireless cells to improve uplink speeds

NBN Co is set to deploy more fixed wireless cells in areas of high demand to resolve problems with slow uplink speeds on the network.

Source: iTnews Australia

Telstra's 5G speed self-test opens itself up to ridicule

Telstra is opening itself up to ridicule by touting figures collected by its own staff to "prove" that its 5G service is faster than a competitor – which, in this case, is Optus.

Source: iTWire

Telstra Velocity fibre rebuild or exit 'not practicable' before August 2021

Telstra is still no closer to an “exact date” to either upgrade or offload its residential fibre networks, but says it won’t be before the end of July 2021.

Source: iTnews Australia

Optus opens ‘most sophisticated’ flagship store in Brisbane

Optus has opened a new store in Brisbane which it says is its “most sophisticated” national flagship store, giving customers and visitors a taste of its “vision for the future” of its retail stores.

Source: iTWire

Australian telco security coordinator concerned at network virtualisation plans

Australia's Communications Access Coordinator (CAC) is concerned by the level of understanding within the nation's telcos about the risk that network virtualisation can introduce.

Source: ZDNet Australia

TPG calls for NBN protectionism to end

TPG Telecom wants to see the era of NBN protectionism end, allowing it - and others - to provide a greater degree of infrastructure-based competition in NBN fixed-line areas once more.

Source: iTnews Australia