Aussie Broadband warns of earnings impact after regulated rate decrease
AUSTRALIA 19 DEC

Aussie Broadband warns of earnings impact after regulated rate decrease

Aussie Broadband has raised concerns about the financial and investment implications of new regulated voice interconnection prices, following the release of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) final determination. The operator said the decision would reduce wholesale revenue from its fixed voice networks, NetSIP and Symbio, from the 2026–27 financial year onwards. While acknowledging the delayed start date of the new regime, Aussie Broadband said it was disappointed that the regulato

Fixed service complaints are double mobile in Australia
AUSTRALIA 19 DEC

Fixed service complaints are double mobile in Australia

Australian consumers are still experiencing a variety of problems with their telecom services as indicated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority's (ACMA) most recent Telecommunications Consumer Complaints report. The report ranks the performance of 37 of Australia's largest telcos against three key metrics for July to September 2025. Overall, Vonex received the fewest complaints per 10,000 services, while Vodafone was 37th, receiving the most complaints per 10,000 services.

Digicel Fiji and regulator sign USO contract to connect remote communities
FIJI 19 DEC

Digicel Fiji and regulator sign USO contract to connect remote communities

Digicel Fiji has signed a Universal Service Obligation (USO) contract with the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji (TAF), initiating the deployment of essential mobile and digital connectivity services to historically underserved communities within the Lau Group. The execution of this contract represents a "major milestone in achieving Fiji's national vision of universal digital access" according to the operator. It includes provisions for deploying robust infrastructure, notably integrating government-led

Review finds multiple failures behind Optus triple zero outage
AUSTRALIA 18 DEC

Review finds multiple failures behind Optus triple zero outage

An independent report into the failure of emergency calls on the Optus network on 18 September 2025 has found a series of technical, procedural and governance failures that led to widespread disruption of Triple Zero services across several states and territories. The report, prepared for the Optus board by Kerry Schott, found that network changes made shortly after midnight caused triple zero calls to fail in South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and parts of far west New South Wales f

Telstra activates first of 27 new mobile sites in remote South Australia
AUSTRALIA 18 DEC

Telstra activates first of 27 new mobile sites in remote South Australia

Telstra has switched on a new mobile base station at Blackford near Kingston, marking the first of 27 planned sites to improve coverage across South Australia's Limestone Coast region. The site forms part of the Australian government's Regional Connectivity Program (RCP) Round 3 and was funded through a co-investment model involving the government, the South Australian government, six local councils, the South Australian Forest Products Association and Telstra.

Kordia to install DAS solution at Te Kaha stadium
NEW ZEALAND 18 DEC

Kordia to install DAS solution at Te Kaha stadium

BESIX Watpac, which is delivering the stadium, has engaged Kordia to construct a comprehensive Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that will bring mobile networks seamlessly into One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha in Christchurch. Once the stadium opens in 2026, fans will be able to enjoy reliable mobile connectivity when visiting the stadium, even at sell-out concerts where peak crowds can connect to the network at once.

New Zealanders back operator handset recycling scheme
NEW ZEALAND 18 DEC

New Zealanders back operator handset recycling scheme

New Zealanders diverted 71,627 unwanted mobile phones from landfill in the past year through RE:MOBILE, the telecommunications industry's not-for-profit product stewardship scheme, according to the scheme's newly released FY25 Annual Report. Managed by the New Zealand Telecommunications Forum (TCF), RE:MOBILE enables mobile phones and accessories to be reused, refurbished or responsibly recycled.

New Zealand government to sell Chorus investment
NEW ZEALAND 17 DEC

New Zealand government to sell Chorus investment

The New Zealand government has decided to proceed with the early monetisation of debt it holds in Chorus, bringing forward the return of funds originally provided to support the national fibre broadband rollout. Between 2012 and 2023, the Crown provided Chorus with NZD 1.336 billion in interest-free loans to accelerate deployment of the Ultra-Fast Broadband network. Chorus repaid NZD 170 million of that funding in 2025, leaving securities with a remaining face value of NZD 1.16 billion. The loans are not du

NBN Co's speed upgrade lifts Australia's high-speed broadband
AUSTRALIA 17 DEC

NBN Co's speed upgrade lifts Australia's high-speed broadband

Households that use high-speed NBN plans with a fibre to the premises (FTTP) or hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) connection are now receiving faster internet speeds following the rollout of NBN Co's recent upgrade program, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) latest Measuring Broadband Australia report has found. In September 2025, NBN Co increased the wholesale plan speeds for certain NBN plans that use a FTTP or HFC connection at no extra charge for retailers. The upgrade was not availabl

Operators slam ACMA decision to add up to AUD 2.3 bln to spectrum costs
AUSTRALIA 17 DEC

Operators slam ACMA decision to add up to AUD 2.3 bln to spectrum costs

Australia's mobile operators have slammed the Australian Communications and Media Authority's decision to increase the price it plans to charge them for spectrum renewals by up to AUD 2.3 billion. Around 80 percent of the country's low and mid-band mobile spectrum licences approach expiry between 2028 and 2032. In April, the ACMA proposed allowing Telstra, Optus, TPG Telecom and NBN Co to renew their licences at a combined cost of between AUD 5 billion and AUD 6.2 billion, which is lower than the AUD 8.2 bi

Spark modernises hybrid cloud operations through partnership with HPE
NEW ZEALAND 17 DEC

Spark modernises hybrid cloud operations through partnership with HPE

New Zealand operator Spark has completed a multi-phase overhaul of its cloud management and infrastructure environment in partnership with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). The programme replaces legacy systems with a purpose-built hybrid cloud environment based on HPE GreenLake and HPE Morpheus Enterprise Software. According to the partners, the changes are intended to simplify hybrid and multicloud operations while improving automation, scalability and service reliability for Spark NZ's internal platforms

One NZ completes 258 mobile upgrades ahead of summer demand
NEW ZEALAND 17 DEC

One NZ completes 258 mobile upgrades ahead of summer demand

One New Zealand has completed 258 mobile network upgrades across New Zealand during 2025, as part of preparations for increased seasonal demand and the forthcoming summer holiday period. The operator said the upgrades have expanded the availability of 5G services and improved network reliability nationwide. The programme includes work at 31 sites completed in November alone, of which 26 involved 5G expansion, spanning regions including Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Canterbury.

AUSTRALIA 17 DEC

Southern Launch signs long-term launch services agreement with Innospace

Australian satellite launch services company Southern Launch has signed a contract with South Korean launch service provider Innospace to host orbital and suborbital space missions from its Australian launch facilities. Under the agreement, Innospace will conduct missions from the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex and the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia. The contract covers a range of activities, including orbital satellite launches and suborbital technology demonstration missions, with operations e

AUSTRALIA 17 DEC

Wholesale price increases help NBN Co ARPU - ACCC

Take-up of higher-speed broadband plans in Australia increased, supported by wholesale price reductions on selected higher speed tiers, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) annual telecommunications market report for 2024–25. Despite this, government-owned broadband access provider NBN Co raised its average wholesale pricing by 4.08 percent in 2024–25, contributing to an increase in residential average revenue per user from AUD 47 to AUD 50 per month over the financial ye

AUSTRALIA 17 DEC

Australia consults on Future Rail Mobile Communications Services

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has launched a consultation on proposed new arrangements to support the introduction of Future Rail Mobile Communications Services (FRMCS) and short-range wireless broad band (SR WBB) services in the 1.9 GHz band. FRMCS is being adopted primarily in Europe and is supported by the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) as the preferred technology for rail mobile radio (RMR).

AUSTRALIA 16 DEC

Macquarie Technology announces executive appointments

Macquarie Technology Group announced the appointment of Luke Clifton as director of Macquarie Technology Operations as the company continues to scale across telecommunications, cloud, cybersecurity and data centres. Clifton, who after nearly 15 years in senior leadership, including more than a decade leading Macquarie Telecom, part of Macquarie Technology, has chosen to transition to the next chapter of his career, focusing on governance, board, and advisory work. 

NEW ZEALAND 16 DEC

NZTech and Tech Alliance merge under new Tech New Zealand identity

Tech New Zealand has been launched as the new unified identity for the organisations previously operating as NZTech and the Tech Alliance, consolidating their activities under a single national body representing New Zealand's technology sector. The change brings together what had been a national industry association and a coalition of specialist groups into one coordinated organisation. 

AUSTRALIA 15 DEC

NBN Co loosens free fibre upgrade eligibility for further 600,000

Australian government-owned wholesale broadband provider NBN Co announced plans to remove the high-speed tier requirement for customers served by fibre to the curb (FTTC) to become eligible to upgrade to fibre to the premises (FTTP) from July 2026. Under current Fibre Connect eligibility criteria, most customers living or working in standalone residential premises served by FTTC must order a residential broadband service based on the NBN wholesale speed (100/40 Mbps) or above to qualify for an upgrade to FT

PAPUA NEW GUINEA 15 DEC

Papua New Guinea unveils Australia-funded Pukpuk subsea cable programme

Papua New Guinea has announced a USD 120 million submarine cable programme under the bilateral Pukpuk Treaty, aimed at strengthening the country's national connectivity through three new international-grade subsea systems. The Pukpuk Connectivity Initiative was formally announced by acting minister for information and communications technology Peter Tsiamalili Jr. The project will deliver new submarine cable routes serving northern Papua New Guinea, southern Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Region of Bou

NEW ZEALAND 15 DEC

One NZ marks first year of Satellite TXT service

One New Zealand has marked one year since the launch of its satellite text messaging service, reporting widespread use of the technology across areas of the country without traditional mobile coverage. The service, branded One NZ Satellite, uses satellite-to-mobile technology provided by Starlink and allows customers to send text messages where there is a clear line of sight to the sky. According to the company, more than 700,000 customers are now eligible to use satellite text messaging across around 40 pe

AUSTRALIA 15 DEC

Australia consults on 5G co-existence with aircraft altimeters

The Australian Communications and Media Authority consulting on new voluntary assurance measures that will apply to wireless broadband systems, operating in the 3700–4000 MHz band, after the interim mitigations end on 31 March 2026. The regulator is proposing new voluntary assurance measures for operators that will apply to wireless broadband services after the interim mitigations end. 

AUSTRALIA 12 DEC

ACMA targets grey market handsets with new safety pledge

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has introduced a new Equipment Safety Pledge it said will give users stronger protections when shopping online for communications equipment. The pledge is a set of voluntary commitments made by eCommerce platforms to tackle the sale of unsafe and illegal radiocommunications devices. These devices can include two-way radios, illegal jammers, mobile phone boosters, unauthorised cellular mobile repeaters and 'grey market' mobile phones. 

NEW ZEALAND 12 DEC

New Zealand opens discovery phase for quantum tech platform

New Zealand has launched a NZD 1.35 million discovery phase to assess the development of a national quantum technologies platform, marking the government's latest step in its overhaul of the country's science and technology system. Science, innovation and technology minister Dr Shane Reti announced the initiative in a speech to the Australia and New Zealand Conference on Optics and Photonics.

AUSTRALIA 11 DEC

Telstra brings satellite messaging to enterprise customers

Telstra has expanded its satellite messaging service, backed by Starlink, to Enterprise customers, allowing organisations to add the service to eligible Adaptive Mobility plans. The feature enables users with compatible devices to send and receive SMS via satellite when outside Telstra's mobile coverage, provided they have a clear view of the sky. Coverage includes most of mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Just In

19 DEC 16:42

SLT-Mobitel launches 5G network in Sri Lanka

19 DEC 16:19

Dialog Axiata launches 5G network, connects 1.5 million subscribers

19 DEC 15:56

UK govt to ban AI-enabled nudification apps to protect women, girls

19 DEC 15:42

3 UK launches last-minute Christmas sale

Commentary

13:56

Video market set for slower growth ahead

11:38

Netflix buys Warner Bros to deepen content catalogue

11:11

KPN's mixed performance in Q3 raises questions for strategy day

15:26

Stock markets breaking records but what happened to Odido's IPO plans?

Background

01:04

The week in telecom: Wi-Fi bolt-ons take off to boost broadband growth, video market works on consolidation

01:39

The week in telecom: Netflix wins bidding for Warner Bros, Apple poaches new execs, Samsung debuts trifold

13:51

Proximus vs. Telenet: Proximus performs better in Q3 while Telenet uses up cash

14:16

Proximus Domestic still struggling with low margins