February
Optus customer executive the first to leave under new CEO Stephen Rue
Maurice McCarthy’s resignation marks the first big executive departure under new boss Stephen Rue as he tries to restore the embattled telco group’s reputation.
Labor says it will back high-tech bush mobile phone satellite network
The proposed law would oblige and support companies like Telstra, Optus and TPG Telecom to extend coverage across the country even where there are no towers.
Ex-exec in law firm rogue email crisis says clue to sender is obvious
Former HR executive at Slater and Gordon, Mari Ruiz-Matthyssen, has gone public for the first time since an email with workers’ salaries was sent to all staff.
January
TPG turns on its Optus tie-up, hoping to steal Telstra customers
The company’s network-sharing agreement with its rival, signed off by competition regulators in September, will expand its coverage into regional areas.
What will Berejiklian do next?
It mightn’t be in Optus’ interests, but the former NSW premier is back on the campaign trail.
Optus says tough new scam rules are ‘unworkable’
New rules to stop scams are “unworkable and ineffective”, Optus says. But billionaire Andrew Forrest wants the government to go further.
EPL broadcaster Optus considers selling sports streaming to Nine
The telecoms group has been assessing a possible sale of the broadcast platform it has built since 2016, when it swooped on the Premier League rights.
Cheap satellite calls could soon be coming to a phone near you
A new generation of providers with low orbiting networks could transform phone use and challenge major telecoms groups like Telstra and Optus within two years.
AI can stop phones dropping out, Telstra boss says
Vicki Brady says the telco group’s customers have ‘no appetite’ for phone outages. Her $700 million Accenture deal shows it is getting serious about AI.
Telstra moves to overtake Optus in race to plug into Musk’s Starlink
Telstra is hoping to steal a march on its rival, signing a new deal with SpaceX to connect its mobile customers to the billionaire’s satellite network.
December 2024
Harsher penalties urged for PwC-style false privilege claims
The changing nature of law firms is making privilege claims more difficult to determine, a federal government discussion paper says.
Ash Barty, Daniel Ricciardo lose Optus roles
“The decision was taken as we looked to rebuild customer trust and focus on the fundamentals,” the telco’s spokeswoman said.
November 2024
New Optus boss promises company ‘reset’ after horror two years
The incoming CEO says he will draw on a decade of experience at the national broadband network to focus on customer service amid tight household budgets.
Verifiable credentials: Shorten’s ID push to stop scams
One of the nation’s biggest banks will help test the roll-out of trusted digital identities to stop scams and prevent data breaches of personal information.
AustralianSuper axes CEO of mobile towers biz
Street Talk understands AustralianSuper has sent Cameron Evans packing three years after he named to the top job.
October 2024
Optus ‘exploited’ vulnerable people, ACCC alleges
The telco group sold phone plans to people who could not use them at home because there was no Optus coverage where they lived, the competition watchdog claims.
Angry members brand Tech Council a ‘billionaires lunch club’
The industry association for some of the country’s largest technology firms failed to act on allegations against WiseTech founder Richard White, they say.
Optus disputes ACMA’s ‘not highly sophisticated’ cyberattack claim
The hacker in Optus’ 2022 data breach had “a high degree of knowledge” of the telecommunications group’s confidential systems, Optus has claimed.
Former PwC consultants test satellite replacements for copper wires
Satellites orbiting close to Earth will be tested by PwC spin-off Scyne Advisory to see if they can handle mobile phone calls in bad weather.
September 2024
Optus communications ‘manifestly inadequate’ in 2023 phone outage
Senators want new rules to force telco groups to keep the public updated when phone and internet connections fail.