Broadband News

Wed, 08th Nov 2023

What caused the Optus outage, and how long was it down for? Here's what we know

Services are being restored after millions of Optus customers were left without phone and internet services. Here's what we know about the outage.

Source: ABC News

Live: Optus announces some services are being restored, but warns it may take a few hours

Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin says the company has not identifed the root cause of the outage affecting millions of Australians, while there is "no indication" it has been caused by a cyber attack. Follow live.

Source: ABC News

Nationwide Optus outage hits mobile, fixed services

Optus engineers are working to restore services after an outage that started early this morning.

Source: iTnews Australia

Tue, 07th Nov 2023

Best NBN plans November 2023: Editor's Picks

Read on for our monthly picks the best NBN plans for unlimited data, value and speed from Telstra, Optus, TPG & more. NBN plans starting at $44.90 find the best one for you!

Source: WhistleOut

Mon, 06th Nov 2023

National rail network to go all-4G

Freight rail communications are to finally enter the 4G age, with the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) announcing a communications upgrade to reach more than 3000 sites.

Source: iTnews Australia

Fri, 03rd Nov 2023

Tue, 31st Oct 2023

Telcos ready for showdown over landlines in the regions

Debate is erupting over the future of rural telecommunications, with the government and telcos labelling current arrangements as no longer fit for purpose.

Source: SMH

Mon, 30th Oct 2023

Telstra could lose USO responsibilities

Telstra’s obligations for delivering telephony services under the Universal Service Obligation (USO) could cease under a planned "modernisation" of the scheme.

Source: iTnews Australia

CBA and Telstra 'scam indicator' feature officially switched on

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has officially switched on its ‘scam indicator’, developed in partnership with Quantium Telstra.

Source: iTnews Australia

Aussie Broadband unshackles Symbio proposal

Aussie Broadband has put forward a new offer for the acquisition of Symbio, unshackling it from previously specified conditions.

Source: ARN

Thu, 26th Oct 2023

Aussie Broadband announced as Australia's most trusted telco

Leading Australian market research company Roy Morgan has announced Aussie Broadband as the standout for the telecommunications category in its annual Trusted Brand Awards for 2023.

Source: WhistleOut

Vodafone $5 roaming now works in-flight

Vodafone's popular $5 roaming deal is extending from the ground to 20,000 feet in the sky, with a new in-flight roaming service.

Source: WhistleOut

Vocus chosen for new Google South Pacific cable system

Vocus has been selected by Google as its preferred partner to work on a new submarine cable system across the South Pacific, linking Australia with Fiji, French Polynesia and the US.

Source: ARN

Google, Vocus to connect US and Australia with new subsea cable system

Google is set to deploy two new trans-Pacific subsea cables between the United States and Australia, via Fiji and French Polynesia, with Vocus to help deliver the project.

Source: iTnews Australia

Wed, 25th Oct 2023

NBN Co to make fewer ACT premises gigabit-capable

NBN Co has downgraded its target for gigabit-capable premises in the Australian Capital Territory from 57 percent to 50 percent, because it is more cost-effective to build in other parts of Australia.

Source: iTnews Australia

NBN Co and Nokia crack 20 Gbps speeds in live network tests

NBN Co has achieved speeds of up to 20 Gbps in live network tests with Nokia over its FTTP network.

Source: ARN

ACCC backs govt plan to develop emergency mobile roaming

The final report of the ACCC’s regional mobile infrastructure inquiry has prompted the government to announce a scoping study to require the telecommunications industry develop an emergency roaming during natural disasters to help Australians stay connected.

Source: iTWire

Aussie Broadband's fastest internet plans are getting a permanent price cut

Like many Australian internet providers have in recent months, Aussie Broadband will be adjusting its NBN plan prices from November 21. The winners are internet customers who want faster speeds, while those on NBN 12 through NBN 50 will see a price rise.

Source: WhistleOut

Tue, 24th Oct 2023

Telstra offering up to six months free prepaid for those in need

Telstra is offering Australians in need up to six months of free prepaid mobile service with 70GB valued at $160.

Source: WhistleOut

Fri, 20th Oct 2023

Faster NBN plans are about to get cheaper

After a long wait, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has finally approved NBN Co's variation to its Special Access Undertaking (SAU).

Source: WhistleOut

Optus boosts coverage in three new areas

Telecommunications company Optus has switched on new towers in Hill River South, Dongolocking North, and in Cunderdin North as part of the Australian Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.

Source: iTWire

Thu, 19th Oct 2023

NBN Co is now upgrading 5000 premises a week to FTTP

NBN Co says it has doubled the number of premises being upgraded to full fibre since August, while also revealing work to enable its fixed wireless network to deliver wholesale speeds in excess of 325Mbps.

Source: iTnews Australia

New NBN regulation will promote competition and long-term interests of Australians

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has accepted NBN Co’s latest proposed variation to its Special Access Undertaking (SAU), which includes measures designed to protect consumers from sharp price rises, reduce barriers to entry for new retailers and create incentives to fix systemic issues that drive poor NBN consumer experience.

Source: iTWire

Wed, 18th Oct 2023

Netflix may hike prices after success of password-sharing crackdown

Netflix's crackdown on password-sharing likely boosted subscribers by about 6 million in the third quarter and the streaming pioneer is expected to set the stage for price increases when it reports earnings this week.

Source: iTnews Australia

Tue, 17th Oct 2023

NBN Co gets green light for new pricing, service standards

A nearly three-year process to agree new price and non-price terms for the NBN is complete, after the ACCC agreed to a varied special access undertaking (SAU) after several rounds of changes.

Source: iTnews Australia

Mon, 16th Oct 2023

TPG’s Felix rethinks low-cost mobile plans but won’t go ‘no-frills’

TPG Telecom’s digital-only telco brand is expanding beyond its one unlimited plan and says its environmental and app-focused pitch is winning customers.

Source: SMH

Thu, 12th Oct 2023

ACMA rising telco complaints report at odds with TIO

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has released a report showing that consumer telco complaints have risen in the past year, contradicting a recent report by the TIO.

Source: iTWire

Oman Australia Cable gets extra capacity

The Oman Australia Cable has been upgraded to boost its speed and cut its latency.

Source: iTnews Australia

Wed, 11th Oct 2023

NBN plans with the best upload speeds

It's easy to find an NBN plan with fast download speeds. Thanks to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), providers are required to be transparent about peak hour download speeds for all of their NBN plans, not just the speed tier they're based on. These are called typical evening speeds.

Source: WhistleOut

Sun, 08th Oct 2023

TPG Telecom's due diligence period over $6.3 billion deal with Vocus expires

TPG Telecom's due diligence granted to fibre company Vocus to manage its $6.3 billion deal to acquire parts of its assets and related fixed structure has now expired.

Source: iTWire