This Month
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.
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.
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.
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.
AustralianSuper’s Indara reviews ‘smart city’ assets as losses mount
Australian Super’s loss-making telcoms tower business, Indara, is reviewing its troubled smart city infrastructure businesses as it searches for a new boss.
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.
Taiwan detains Chinese-crewed ship after undersea cable severed
Taiwan is preparing for the worst in an escalating subsea infrastructure battle after authorities detained a Chinese-crewed cargo vessel suspected of sabotage.
Banks, insurers crack down on abusers using their products as weapons
Financial abuse is estimated to cost victims $5.7 billion every year – more than twice the amount of losses from scams.
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.
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.
Superloop net loss halves as challenger brands take market share
CEO Paul Tyler says customers are ditching the big three telcos after Superloop’s loss dropped to $7.8 million.
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.
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.
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.
Dark fibre hotshot FibreconX hunts for $150m; Lazard on ticket
The business, which is backed by Andrew Forrest’s family office Tattarang, is seeking about $150 million and will target high-profile digital infrastructure investors.
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.
Telstra’s Vicki.ai a glimpse into the future of Australian business
Telstra’s decision to hive off its AI projects and staff will make other companies take notice. The big consulting groups and tech companies must be loving it.
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.