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NBN

This Month

NetComm created early Australian dial-up modems and was at one stage one of Australia’s most successful tech company.

After 43 years, local tech pioneer NetComm heads for the scrapheap

Modem maker NetComm Wireless was once a star of the local tech scene. But its Nasdaq-listed owner has filed for bankruptcy after a year of ownership.

New Optus boss Stephen Rue.

Optus considers bundling sports streaming with mobile plans

The Singaporean-owned group has been weighing up whether to sell off its streaming business, which holds the broadcast rights to English Premier League matches.

New chief Stephen Rue says making sure the Optus network is resilient and secure will be a priority.

Optus has had some horror years, but its new CEO is taking on Telstra

From overhauling the books at Melbourne Storm to war gaming the impact of COVID-19 on the NBN, Stephen Rue is a solutions guy. Optus is his next big challenge.

Aussie Broadband has taken Superloop to court over an order to sell down its near 20 per cent stake in Superloop.

Highest costs, lowest speeds make NBN a financial albatross for Australia

On this trajectory, the NBN may be ultimately regarded as one of the worst investments in Australia’s history.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Starlink owner Elon Musk.

NBN Co set to choose Amazon over Musk’s Starlink for satellite service

Amazon last year said Australia would be one of the first countries offered access to its Kuiper low earth orbit network of 3236 satellites, known as a LEOSat network.

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February

Aussie Broadband’s outgoing chief executive Phillip Britt.

Aussie Broadband fights for share in ‘hot’ market

The company’s AI-powered budget brand Buddy Telco is not gaining as many new customers as expected because competitors have been cutting prices.

NBN Co chief executive Ellie Sweeney

New NBN chief Ellie Sweeney sharpens cost-cutting amid $564m loss

The government-owned broadband network operator has reduced its half-year deficit by trimming maintenance and marketing costs and raising prices.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s last chance to pass legislation could be this week.

Senate scramble as Labor pushes ‘wedgislation’ before election

This week may be the last chance for the Senate to pass bills before Australians go to the polls.

January

Tanarra founder and Telstra shareholder John Wylie believes the company’s stock price would get a boost from securitising income it receives from NBN Co.

Banker John Wylie wants Telstra to sell off NBN income stream

The fund manager and Telstra shareholder is urging the telco giant to package up cash payments it receives from NBN Co and sell them to boost its stock price.

Telcos complain NBN is unfairly and unnecessarily competing in the enterprise market. But their complaints are unlikely to make much difference.

NBN-Telstra rethink could unlock billions for internet access: Wylie

If improving internet access is to be done through the NBN, there’s a different and better way for this to be funded.

NBN Co must streamline its installation process

Readers’ letters on the National Broadband Network, beach cabanas, the Los Angeles fires, and reducing feed-in tariffs for solar energy in Victoria.

Tsitsipas has had a disastrous start to his 2025 season, losing his first round Australian Open match to unseeded American Alex Michelsen.

American youngster knocks Tsitsipas out in first round

Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas has been wiped out in the first round of the Australian Open; Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he will ‘finish’ the NBN. How the day unfolded.

Senator Jane Hume in Melbourne on Friday.

Opposition savings from housing, green energy funds in doubt

Senator Jane Hume says the Coalition will interrogate Labor’s billions of dollars tied up in funds for housing, clean energy and manufacturing, but admits they may be difficult to unwind.

December 2024

How many can you name? The 30 public servants earning more than $1m

Executives from NBN Co, Australia Post and Snowy Hydro topped the latest leaderboard for public service and government-owned business pay packets.

November 2024

Peter Costello, left, set up the Future Fund when he was treasurer. Changes put in place Treasurer Jim Chalmers (centre) that will be acted on by the new Future Fund chairman Greg Combet (right) risk making it a “slush fund”, Costello says.

‘I would not have agreed to Future Fund shift’

With $230 billion to come into play, expect a long line of rent-seekers to form a queue, says former treasurer and Future Fund founder Peter Costello.

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SkyMesh is a major provider of internet connectivity in remote areas via the NBN network.

Salter Brothers zero in on Brisbane telco reseller; launches raise

Street Talk understands the Melbourne-based technology fund has entered into exclusive terms for a 100 per cent acquisition of Bigblu Broadband’s SkyMesh.

October 2024

 Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Nuclear inquiry, March budget: PM clears decks for election

The government is escalating the pre-election strategy with an inquiry designed to discredit the Coalition’s nuclear power plans.

‘Wedge politics’: Dutton mocks PM’s talk about NBN privatisation risk

The opposition says the government is attempting a similar campaign to the “Mediscare” one in 2016. Experts doubt anyone will want to buy NBN Co anyway.

September 2024

Vocus Group CEO Ellie Sweeney will run the National Broadband Network from December.

NBN Co names Vocus’ Ellie Sweeney as next CEO

The Vocus Group boss will step into Stephen Rue’s shoes as he prepares to take the reins at Optus.

August 2024

Telstra CEO Vicki Brady

Why Telstra’s latest strategy shift might pay off

Why Vicki Brady wants to keep Telstra’s infrastructure assets close and growing even if mobiles remain today’s success story.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/nbn-600