http://apcmag.com/ APC Magazine covers the latest in computing with a critical, independent eye to help you make the most of your tech dollar. http://apcmag.com//telstras-4g-lte-mobile-network-turned-on-today-plus-their-4g-strategy-explained.htm http://apcmag.com//telstras-4g-lte-mobile-network-turned-on-today-plus-their-4g-strategy-explained.htm

Telstra today commenced its rollout of Australia's first 4G LTE mobile network in limited metro and regional areas. We look at the tech & thinking behind Telstra's 4G strategy.]]> Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:55:17 +1000 http://apcmag.com//freeeedom-optus-3g-home-zone-to-unshackle-your-home-phone-this-weekend.htm http://apcmag.com//freeeedom-optus-3g-home-zone-to-unshackle-your-home-phone-this-weekend.htm

Sick of line rental and mobile dropouts? Optus's new 3G Home Zone puts a broadband-powered mini base station in your living room, in a bid to lure users away from Telstra.]]> Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:05:20 +1000 http://apcmag.com//4g-is-coming.htm http://apcmag.com//4g-is-coming.htm

4G wireless has rolled out in Scandinavia and is being tested here by Telstra and Optus. David Braue finds out what 4G really is and what we can expect from it.]]> Tue, 28 Sep 2010 06:24:23 +1000 http://apcmag.com//vodafone-more-than-doubles-data-allowances.htm http://apcmag.com//vodafone-more-than-doubles-data-allowances.htm

Q: As Vodafone, what do you do when Telstra ups its gold-plated Next G network data allowances?
A: Up yours.]]> Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:42:05 +1000 http://apcmag.com//telstra-next-g-and-the-iphone-4-is-it-worth-it.htm http://apcmag.com//telstra-next-g-and-the-iphone-4-is-it-worth-it.htm

opinion There is one question that iPhone 4 purchasers need to ask themselves: is the cost of Next G low enough yet? ]]> Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:21:03 +1000 http://apcmag.com//optus-were-fixing-our-3g-network.htm http://apcmag.com//optus-were-fixing-our-3g-network.htm

An APC reader asked a probing question to Optus' engineering director today: when will you fix the 3G network? Here's a video of the answer.]]> Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:03:18 +1000 http://apcmag.com//optus-demos-lte-network-at-43mbits.htm http://apcmag.com//optus-demos-lte-network-at-43mbits.htm

Optus has shown a live demo of high def video streaming over its trial 4G (LTE) mobile network in North Sydney.]]> Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:58:50 +1000 http://apcmag.com//review-samsung-n220-netbook-on-optus-3g.htm http://apcmag.com//review-samsung-n220-netbook-on-optus-3g.htm

Samsung's N220 is a new netbook being launched into Australia through Optus, with 3G broadband built-in. We tested its battery life and also played with Jolicloud Linux on it.]]> Thu, 08 Jul 2010 06:00:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//optus-threatens-to-sue-telstra-over-next-g-claims.htm http://apcmag.com//optus-threatens-to-sue-telstra-over-next-g-claims.htm

Optus is threatening to sue Telstra for comparing its Next G coverage to Optus' 2100MHz coverage only, ignoring the telco's expanded 900MHz network coverage.]]> Sat, 12 Jun 2010 19:18:37 +1000 http://apcmag.com//is-optus-3g-almost-as-good-as-telstra.htm http://apcmag.com//is-optus-3g-almost-as-good-as-telstra.htm

A report came out today claiming Optus' 3G network is almost as good as Telstra Next G, but do the figures really stack up?]]> Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:00:22 +1000 http://apcmag.com//telstra-now-streaming-abc-sbs-to-next-g-mobiles.htm http://apcmag.com//telstra-now-streaming-abc-sbs-to-next-g-mobiles.htm

Finally, that "Foxtel on your mobile" service has something worth watching...]]> Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:21:58 +1000 http://apcmag.com//telstra-vha-confirm-iphone-4-launch.htm http://apcmag.com//telstra-vha-confirm-iphone-4-launch.htm

Mobile telcos Telstra and VHA today confirmed they will launch Apple’s new iPhone when the device hits Australia in July, but Optus has not yet flagged its plans.]]> Tue, 08 Jun 2010 23:38:33 +1000 http://apcmag.com//accc-takes-optus-to-court-over-misleading-advertising.htm http://apcmag.com//accc-takes-optus-to-court-over-misleading-advertising.htm

Australia's competition regulator has taken Optus to court for playing fast and loose with the word "unlimited" in plans which do have usage limits -- after it was warned not to.]]> Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:26:54 +1000 http://apcmag.com//now-for-the-bluetooth3g-home-phone.htm http://apcmag.com//now-for-the-bluetooth3g-home-phone.htm

The advent of 'unlimited' mobile plans has sparked a new category of gizmo: Bluetooth home phones that use your mobile to place calls. PLUS: The most bastardly press release ever.]]> Mon, 24 May 2010 17:46:36 +1000 http://apcmag.com//telstra-faces-system-problem-with-new-mobile-plans.htm http://apcmag.com//telstra-faces-system-problem-with-new-mobile-plans.htm

About those great new cap plans with Telstra... yeah, you can't switch to them if you're a long-standing existing customer. For a while, anyway.]]> Wed, 12 May 2010 13:32:45 +1000 http://apcmag.com//telstra-announces-new-next-g-cap-plans-double-allowances-free-data.htm http://apcmag.com//telstra-announces-new-next-g-cap-plans-double-allowances-free-data.htm

Has hell just frozen over? Telstra has radically improved its Next G cap plans, making it far more competitive in price with other networks.]]> Mon, 10 May 2010 14:13:51 +1000 http://apcmag.com//give-poor-huawei-a-break.htm http://apcmag.com//give-poor-huawei-a-break.htm

opinion Telstra has selected Chinese network maker Huawei for its 4G/LTE network trial. Let's stop the Chinese spy propaganda right now.]]> Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:58:29 +1000 http://apcmag.com//telstra-unveils-satcow.htm http://apcmag.com//telstra-unveils-satcow.htm

Telstra has unveiled a new transportable mobile network base station called a Satellite Cell on Wheels (SatCOW) using satellite transmission to fuel a Next G mobile network tower.]]> Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:09:24 +1000 http://apcmag.com//optus-boss-keen-on-terrific-apple-ipad.htm http://apcmag.com//optus-boss-keen-on-terrific-apple-ipad.htm

Looks like there'll be no shortage of iPad-compatible Micro-SIMs at Optus, then...]]> Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:23:55 +1000 http://apcmag.com//optus-buys-more-radio-spectrum-for-mobile-broadband.htm http://apcmag.com//optus-buys-more-radio-spectrum-for-mobile-broadband.htm

Optus has announced it has bought up all the remaining 2100MHz mobile spectrum to give its 3G/HSPA mobile services in metro areas a speed boost.]]> Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:48:37 +1000 http://apcmag.com//ipad-telco-plans-will-sting-australians.htm http://apcmag.com//ipad-telco-plans-will-sting-australians.htm

Apple's new iPad comes with a revolutionary new type of 3G plan -- in the US. But what can we expect from Australian telcos?]]> Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:30:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//card-tricks-why-apple-put-a-microsim-into-the-ipad.htm http://apcmag.com//card-tricks-why-apple-put-a-microsim-into-the-ipad.htm

The 3G iPad will come unlocked and ready to use with any prepaid mobile broadband service – provided the carrier uses the new microSIM card format.]]> Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:50:07 +1000 http://apcmag.com//telstra-unveils-19-for-1gb-next-g-broadband-prices.htm http://apcmag.com//telstra-unveils-19-for-1gb-next-g-broadband-prices.htm

The new pricing would be ideal for iPhone users -- the only catch is that you need to have an ABN number to qualify.]]> Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:59:56 +1000 http://apcmag.com//optus-deliberately-blocking-android-paid-apps.htm http://apcmag.com//optus-deliberately-blocking-android-paid-apps.htm

EXCLUSIVE | Optus is blocking owners of Android mobile phones from buying paid apps from the Android store, while locking users into long service contracts.]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:13:25 +1000 http://apcmag.com//as-telstra-sits-on-next-g-optus-starts-4g-trials.htm http://apcmag.com//as-telstra-sits-on-next-g-optus-starts-4g-trials.htm

Optus will trial Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile technology from next year. Let's hope it's better than their current 3G network.]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:45:24 +1000 http://apcmag.com//free-netbooks-linux-can-make-that-happen-faster.htm http://apcmag.com//free-netbooks-linux-can-make-that-happen-faster.htm

Telcos are starting to think about the money that can be made from giving away "free" netbooks with mobile broadband services -- and Linux is helping make this a reality.]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:15:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//mobile-phone-location-technology-fighting-credit-card-fraud.htm http://apcmag.com//mobile-phone-location-technology-fighting-credit-card-fraud.htm

Mobile phones beaming their owners' locations back to banks could dramatically cut credit card fraud, Ericsson says.]]> Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:40:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//the-dodgy-fine-print-in-optus-new-monster-caps.htm http://apcmag.com//the-dodgy-fine-print-in-optus-new-monster-caps.htm

$680 worth of calls for $49 looks like a great deal, but Optus is again using dodgy fine print to cheat customers.]]> Wed, 06 May 2009 13:17:54 +1000 http://apcmag.com//optus-free-mobiles-1000-credits-to-bushfire-survivors.htm http://apcmag.com//optus-free-mobiles-1000-credits-to-bushfire-survivors.htm

Optus says it is giving out free prepaid mobile handsets loaded with $1,000 in calling credits to stranded bushfire survivors who were Optus customers.]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:27:02 +1000 http://apcmag.com//telstra-network-damaged-in-bushfires.htm http://apcmag.com//telstra-network-damaged-in-bushfires.htm

Telstra has seen extensive damage to its network from the wildfires that swept Victoria, and is still unable to reach many areas classified as "hotzones". ]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:11:17 +1000 http://apcmag.com//competition-worries-over-3vodafone-merger.htm http://apcmag.com//competition-worries-over-3vodafone-merger.htm

The 3/Vodafone merger may result in higher mobile pricing across the industry, says a respected telco analyst.]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:16:21 +1000 http://apcmag.com//vodafone-and-3-to-merge.htm http://apcmag.com//vodafone-and-3-to-merge.htm

Vodafone and 3 have announced they will merge in Australia, forming a mobile telco that can better take on Optus and Telstra. But will competition suffer?]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:40:19 +1000 http://apcmag.com//mobile_broadband_at_just_1572864_per_gb_anyone.htm http://apcmag.com//mobile_broadband_at_just_1572864_per_gb_anyone.htm

How does the mobile phone company that claims "the best value mobile phone offer on the block" justify screwing its customers five times more than its competitors for casual data?]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:45:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//optus_threatens_customers_over_voip_calls.htm http://apcmag.com//optus_threatens_customers_over_voip_calls.htm

Optus customers got a nasty Christmas present from their telco: a warning that they would be billed international rates if they attempted to make VoIP calls on their mobiles. ]]> Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:03:56 +1000