Starlink becomes Australia's second-largest broadband network
AUSTRALIA 06:52

Starlink becomes Australia's second-largest broadband network

Starlink became Australia's second-largest broadband network provider by services in December 2025, according to newly published Internet Activity data from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The satellite operator supplied 589,000 retail and wholesale broadband services at the end of December, up from 400,000 six months earlier. The total included 552,000 retail services, an increase of 177,000, and 37,000 wholesale services, up by 12,000.

TPG Telecom warns of lock-in risks in Australia's universal mobile plan
AUSTRALIA 06:49

TPG Telecom warns of lock-in risks in Australia's universal mobile plan

TPG Telecom has warned that Australia's proposed Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO) could fail to deliver its intended outcomes unless policymakers address funding, regulatory and technology readiness concerns before legislation is finalised. Chief technology officer Giovanni Chiarelli said legislative timelines were advancing ahead of both technology and regulatory readiness, with no clarity on how UOMO would be funded.

Solar project nears completion under Google, AirTrunk and European Energy agreement
AUSTRALIA 06:30

Solar project nears completion under Google, AirTrunk and European Energy agreement

Google, AirTrunk and European Energy Australia have announced that the 25 MW Mulwala Solar Farm in New South Wales is nearing completion and is preparing to begin supplying electricity to Australia's National Electricity Market. The project forms part of a corporate power purchase agreement announced by the three companies in 2023. According to the companies, the solar farm will add new generation capacity to the grid as demand for digital infrastructure, including cloud and AI-related services, continues t

Google and Telstra expand partnership across terrestrial and subsea networks
AUSTRALIA 2 JUN

Google and Telstra expand partnership across terrestrial and subsea networks

Google and Telstra have announced a partnership aimed at strengthening Australia's digital infrastructure through the integration of terrestrial fibre and subsea cable networks. Under the agreement, Google will secure inter-city dark fibre capacity on Telstra's Aura Network, while Telstra will gain access to fibre pairs on Google's Tabua, Proa and Bulikula subsea cable systems through the company's Pacific Connect and Australia Connect initiatives.

Firmus and Subco to build new Tasmania-Mainland Australia fibre link
AUSTRALIA 2 JUN

Firmus and Subco to build new Tasmania-Mainland Australia fibre link

Australian AI infrastructure company Firmus and subsea cable company Subco have announced plans to build a new submarine fibre optic cable connecting Tasmania to mainland Australia, marking what they say will be the first new subsea fibre connection for the state in more than 20 years. The cable, named Bernacchi-1 after Tasmanian-raised physicist and Antarctic explorer Louis Bernacchi, will connect Tasmania to Subco's Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth (SMAP) cable system. 

TPG reports mobile subscriber growth and reaffirms FY26 guidance
AUSTRALIA 2 JUN

TPG reports mobile subscriber growth and reaffirms FY26 guidance

TPG Telecom has forecast total mobile subscriber growth of approximately 70,000 to 80,000 in the first half of 2026, driven primarily by its digital-first and MVNO channels, while continuing to shed NBN customers in a competitive fixed broadband market. The figures were released on 2 June 2026 as part of a trading update accompanying the company's annual investor day in Sydney. Postpaid mobile numbers are expected to be broadly flat against the prior corresponding period, while digital-first brands are fore

Australian operator associations seek member approval to merge
AUSTRALIA 2 JUN

Australian operator associations seek member approval to merge

The Australian Telecommunications Alliance (ATA) and the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) have proposed a merger that would combine the two industry bodies under a single organisation representing the Australian telecommunications sector. The boards of both organisations have approved the proposal, which will now be put to members for approval at separate general meetings. If endorsed, the merger is expected to be completed by 30 June 2026, with AMTA's operations incorporated into the

AUKUS launches first Pillar II project focused on uncrewed undersea vehicles
AUSTRALIA 1 JUN

AUKUS launches first Pillar II project focused on uncrewed undersea vehicles

Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have announced the first AUKUS Pillar II signature project, focused on developing payloads and enabling systems for uncrewed undersea vehicles (UUVs), with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027. The project will develop technologies that can be deployed across the three nations' UUV platforms, with an emphasis on interoperability, common control systems and shared operational concepts. 

ACMA finalises licence renewal process ahead of 850 MHz and 1800 MHz renewals
AUSTRALIA 1 JUN

ACMA finalises licence renewal process ahead of 850 MHz and 1800 MHz renewals

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has finalised the application and decision-making framework for renewing expiring spectrum licences, with eligible licensees able to begin submitting renewal applications from 18 June 2026. The first licences covered by the process are in the 850 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, which are due to expire in June 2028. According to the ACMA, the framework also applies to spectrum licences in the 700 MHz, 2 GHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.4 GHz bands that expire betwe

Operators say spectrum renewal costs could increase pressure on mobile prices
AUSTRALIA 1 JUN

Operators say spectrum renewal costs could increase pressure on mobile prices

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has criticised the Australian Communications and Media Authority's (ACMA) decision to proceed with higher spectrum renewal pricing, warning that the move could increase pressure on mobile service prices and telecommunications investment. The industry body said the revised pricing framework would increase costs for mobile network operators and could affect both infrastructure investment and consumer pricing.

NBN Co raises EUR 750 mln through second Euro Sustainability Bond issuance
AUSTRALIA 1 JUN

NBN Co raises EUR 750 mln through second Euro Sustainability Bond issuance

Australian government-owned wholesale broadband provider NBN Co has raised EUR 750 million (approximately AUD 1.2 billion) through its second Sustainability Bond issuance in the European debt capital markets. The 7.5-year bond was priced on 20 May and settled on 29 May. According to the operator, net proceeds will be allocated to investments in the deployment of the NBN network's energy-efficient fibre infrastructure and fixed wireless network.

Chorus fibre asset base exceeds NZD 6 bln in 2025 regulatory filing
NEW ZEALAND 29 MEI

Chorus fibre asset base exceeds NZD 6 bln in 2025 regulatory filing

New Zealand wholesale operator Chorus has reported that its regulated fibre asset base exceeded NZD 6 billion at the end of 2025, while the company under-earned its maximum allowable revenue by NZD 101 million under New Zealand's fibre regulatory framework. The company has published its Information Disclosure for fibre fixed line access services for the 2025 disclosure year and will submit the filing to the Commerce Commission.

AUSTRALIA 29 MEI

Australian operators warn against automatic scam compensation

The Australian Telecommunications Alliance (ATA) has welcomed progress on the federal government's Scams Prevention Framework (SPF), but warned that any compensation regime must include safeguards to prevent exploitation by fraudsters. The government has begun consultation on draft industry codes, rules and designations under the SPF legislation.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA 29 MEI

Digicel PNG and Puma Energy launch mobile wallet fuel payments

Digicel Papua New Guinea has partnered with Puma Energy to introduce mobile wallet payments for fuel purchases through the operator's CellMoni platform. The initiative, branded "Fuel Up and Go with Digicel PNG CellMoni", allows customers to pay for fuel using the CellMoni mobile wallet at participating Puma Energy service stations. The service is initially available at selected Puma Energy sites in Port Moresby, including Waigani, Boroko, UPNG and Lawes Road, as well as locations in Lae and Madang.

NEW ZEALAND 29 MEI

Spark refinances bank debt facilities following data centre stake sale

Spark Finance has refinanced its bank debt facilities following a review of its funding arrangements after the sale of a 75 percent stake in parent Spark New Zealand's data centre business in January 2026. The company said it has established a new suite of committed bank facilities totalling NZD 500 million. The facilities replace existing bank debt arrangements and will be used for general corporate purposes.

AUSTRALIA 29 MEI

Superloop completes acquisition of Lightning Broadband

Australian operator Superloop has completed its acquisition of Lynham Networks, the parent company of Lightning Broadband, for AUD 165 million in cash, subject to final completion adjustments. The transaction, originally announced in February 2026, gives Superloop ownership of Lightning Broadband's open-access fibre-to-the-premises network operations across Australia.

AUSTRALIA 29 MEI

Orro partners Megaport on global connectivity services for Australian enterprises

Australian managed services provider Orro has entered into a partnership with Megaport to provide international connectivity and compute services for Australian businesses expanding overseas. The companies said the partnership will provide Orro customers with access to on-demand private networking and compute infrastructure across more than 1,100 data centres in 30 countries through a managed service model operated by Orro.

GUAM 28 MEI

Boingo Wireless deploys connectivity network at US Marine Corps base in Guam

Boingo Wireless has launched high-speed internet and Wi-Fi services at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, supporting connectivity for military personnel at the newly commissioned base. The deployment includes internet access in Marine barracks and Wi-Fi 6 coverage in common areas across the installation. According to Boingo, the network is designed to support remote learning, communications and personal internet use for Marines stationed at the base.

NEW ZEALAND 28 MEI

2degrees signs partnership with SourseAI for AI-driven decision intelligence

New Zealand operator 2degrees has entered into a strategic partnership with decision intelligence platform provider SourseAI aimed at strengthening customer value management and commercial decision-making capabilities. The companies said the agreement reflects increasing demand among operators for more targeted artificial intelligence applications focused on areas such as customer retention, forecasting and commercial performance.

AUSTRALIA 28 MEI

Aussie Broadband launches international mobile roaming service

Aussie Broadband has launched international mobile roaming for its mobile customers through updates to its MyAussie and Carbon customer management portals. The service allows residential customers to enable roaming through the MyAussie platform, with roaming also required to be activated in device settings before use. Customers travelling in designated International Zone 1 countries will receive 5 GB of data along with unlimited calls and texts for AUD 5 per day. Customers travelling in Zone 2 and Zone 3 de

AUSTRALIA 27 MEI

Mercy Health selects HPE to modernise network across aged care sites

Mercy Health has selected HPE to upgrade network infrastructure across its Healthy Ageing and Residential Aged Care operations in Australia, with the project covering more than 40 facilities and supporting more than 2,600 residents and over 400 retirement village units. The deployment will introduce a cloud-managed network platform intended to provide connectivity services for residents, staff, families and visitors across Mercy Health's national footprint. The organisation said it is investing in a common

AUSTRALIA 27 MEI

Vodafone says Australian regional expansion increased customer switching and usage

TPG Telecom's Vodafone Australia said its expanded regional mobile network has increased customer switching activity and improved network usage metrics, citing research conducted by Deloitte Access Economics on the impact of the operator's network expansion. According to the report, Vodafone's regional coverage footprint expanded from approximately 400,000 square kilometres to more than one million square kilometres during the past year. The operator said this had been followed by a 29 percent increase in t

OCEANIA 27 MEI

Indigo to provide support for Trans Pacific Networks subsea cable portfolio

Indigo Telecom Group has been selected by Trans Pacific Networks (TPN) to provide operational support services for the company's trans-Pacific subsea infrastructure portfolio, including network monitoring, provisioning, security and service management functions. Under the agreement, Indigo will provide support through its subsea network operations centre (NOC) services, covering operational management across TPN's cable infrastructure. The company said the arrangement includes service assurance, incident ma

AUSTRALIA 27 MEI

Telstra restructures technology operations, cutting more than 100 roles

Telstra is restructuring its technology operations and cutting 111 jobs as part of a broader organisational overhaul tied to its Connected Future 30 strategy, according to the Australian, citing company sources. The changes include the merger of the operator's Global Networks and Technology division with its Product and Technology division to create a new Network, Product and Technology function. The combined unit will be led by Kim Krogh Andersen, who will assume responsibility for software engineering, IT

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Background

1 JUN 00:13

The week in telecom: EU telcos push sovereign services as governments question foreign tech investors

23 MEI 23:42

The week in telecom: Starlink ready to go public, Singapore telco M&A and Google courts AI subscribers at I/O

18 MEI 00:31

The week in telecom: US operators mount rural satellite challenge, Cisco cashes in on AI boom

11 MEI 00:53

The week in telecom: Lumen, NTT turn to data centre market to revive growth, Hutchison exits UK