APC - Tagged Articles - Telecommunications

Telstra's massive nerve centre exposed

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:29:49 GMT

Telstra has marked the 10th anniversary of its jumbo-sized Global Operations Centre in Melbourne by throwing the doors open to media.

Telstra slugs new landline customers with $100 penalty for moving to naked DSL

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:47:12 GMT

A new $100 ‘temporary connection charge’ for disconnecting a landline after three months is claimed to dissuade customers from joining competing ISPs on a naked DSL plan.

Free netbooks on their way, thanks to Linux

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:19:52 GMT

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.

Optus admits slow broadband problem

Mon, 25 May 2009 22:14:00 GMT

Optus has admitted that it has been "shaping" internet connections to a slower speed than advertised.

Trujillo quits Telstra early

Tue, 19 May 2009 09:11:20 GMT

Telstra has announced that its American CEO has left the … country.

WARNING: diabolical fine print in Optus' new "monster caps"

Wed, 06 May 2009 12:43:08 GMT

$680 worth of calls for $49 looks like a great deal, but Optus is again using dodgy fine print to cheat customers.

Optus releases two-headed ‘Total Cap' plan for voice, broadband and 3G wireless

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:37:01 GMT

The ‘Total Business Cap’ is actually a combo of two separate capped plans – one for voice, the other for data – but at least they come on a single bill.

Skype lands on Nokia smartphones, but iPhone still to come

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:06:31 GMT

Skype could end the ‘mobile roaming rage’ for Nokia and Sony-Ericsson customers stung by outrageous carrier charges for global roaming. But where’s the promised Skype for iPhone?

Optus: free mobiles for bushfire survivors

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:19:30 GMT

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.

MELTED: Telstra network damaged in bushfires

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:03:38 GMT

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".

Prices may go up when 3/Vodafone merge

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:44:23 GMT

The 3/Vodafone merger may result in higher mobile pricing across the industry, says a respected telco analyst.

Vodafone and 3 to merge

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:37:52 GMT

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?

Telstra fully computerises directory assistance

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:59:09 GMT

Did you say "pink squid"? Telstra has introduced a new voice recognition system for directory assistance, which will force callers to do 20 questions with a computer.

Optus convicted of spamming, fined $110,000

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:19:00 GMT

The country's second largest telco has been fined $110,000 by the Australian Communications and Media Authority for sending out spam.

Mobile broadband at just $15,728.64 per GB anyone?

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:11:27 GMT

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?

BILL EXPLOSION: Google Android silently phones home

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:59:33 GMT

Users of imported Google Android smartphones have got a nasty shock, with their mobile phone bills showing massive unexpected SMS usage.

Optus threatens customers over VoIP calls

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:43:26 GMT

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.

Why I switched to Telstra

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:10:26 GMT

OPINION | I think Optus' 3G network is just screwed, to be honest.

NAMED AND SHAMED: the most complained-about ISPs

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:44:54 GMT

The results are in: the top 10 ISPs in Australia. But they won't exactly be popping champagne corks.

BigPond: talk to a computer, then the Philippines

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:09:20 GMT

Telstra BigPond customers with technical problems can look forward to talking to a computer for 10 minutes before speaking to someone in the Philippines.

DOUBLE THE PRICE: Optus hikes wireless charges

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:23:59 GMT

Optus has hiked the prices of its prepaid wireless broadband service -- up to double the price on some plans -- just weeks after launching the service.

Optus dumps wireless Fusion bundles due to 3G network congestion

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:11:08 GMT

As criticism of its 3G service mounts, Optus has quietly ditched the 3G wireless version of its Fusion broadband and telephony plans.

Optus slow to block stolen phones, say angry customers

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:48:37 GMT

Number two telco Optus appears to be dragging its feet on blocking stolen phones from its network, causing some users to question Optus's motives.

Telstra jacks up line rental prices -- yet again

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:53:40 GMT

Telstra has yet again jacked up line rental again, just after announcing a record-breaking company profit of $3.7 billion — up 13.5% from the previous year.

Virgin Mobile's iPhone plans offer up to 5GB

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:11:27 GMT

If you thought Three's unofficial iPhone plans were impressive, you'll be amazed at Optus-owned Virgin Mobile's new iPhone plans.

Is affordable global roaming finally coming?

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:42:06 GMT

After years of being rorted for telephone and data charges every time we leave the country, Australians might finally be in line for some decent deals when they travel.

Now you can take your home phone line with you: Optus

Wed, 14 May 2008 23:42:01 GMT

Optus is extracting maximum value out of its mobile network to offer home phone lines without the 'line'.

Nokia declares massive change in strategy

Thu, 01 May 2008 10:48:07 GMT

Nokia is cutting out middlemen ("users") and will sell mobiles directly to other mobiles.

More mobiles than people in Australia

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:20:03 GMT

There are officially more phones than people in Australia, but what are we all doing with the spares -- and why are ADSL subscriber numbers actually falling?

Vodafone launches cut-rate data roaming deal

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:48:44 GMT

The mobile broadband price war is moving to a global scale as Vodafone slashes the cost of global data roaming.

Comms regulator cracks down on Dodo

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:59:45 GMT

Cut-price ISP Dodo, the subject of ongoing controversy over customer service and billing issues, has been directed to clean up its act by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

BigPond customers into XXX, leather?

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 08:22:08 GMT

Telstra BigPond has withdrawn an advertising campaign that inadvertently suggested its customers were into XXX, leather, and trawling Sydney's Kings Cross red light district.

ADSL2+ is not the answer: why we still desperately need FttN

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 04:35:29 GMT

It's well and good that Telstra has switched on ADSL2+ for 2.5 million homes, but thousands of people will discover they are still getting slow speeds despite paying premium rates for the new service. Here's why fibre is the only solution.

Internode doubts legality of Telstra's ADSL2+ plans

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 02:58:10 GMT

Managing Director of Internode, Simon Hackett, says he has doubts over the legality of the government's assurance to Telstra that it doesn't have to wholesale ADSL2+ access across its expanded ADSL2+ network.

BREAKING: Telstra flicks the switch on ADSL2+ at 900 exchanges

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 02:23:26 GMT

UPDATED |Prime Minister Rudd and Communications Minister Conroy this morning announced Telstra would turn on the ADSL2+ broadband capability it has at 900 exchanges around the country.

WiMax devices still thin on the ground

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 07:35:49 GMT

Just months away from switching on its national WiMax network, US telco giant Sprint has very few WiMax compatible devices to show off. If a US telco can't do it, can the Australian government WiMax network, OPEL pull a rabbit out of its hat?

Bad luck, Sol: government overrules CDMA switch-off

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 08:07:19 GMT

The planned January 28 closure of the regional CDMA mobile network has been deferred until April 28, offering signal-starved rural phone users a temporary reprieve and delivering Telstra its first governmental bitch slap for 2008.

Optus, Vodafone, Acer: I've had it with dishonest tech marketing!

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 06:32:47 GMT

Why don't tech companies just say what they mean? As a journalist, I'm sick of receiving essentially dishonest announcements from big tech companies.

Optus has 'lazy, underutilised' broadband network: Telstra

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 05:24:34 GMT

Telstra has accused Optus of having a 'lazy and underutilised' cable network and asked the ACCC to excuse it from its obligation to provide Optus with access to copper phone lines.

Optus doubles cable broadband speed

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 01:45:19 GMT

Optus has announced a major speed boost for its cable network, but users of broadband forum Whirlpool have already spotted an ulterior motive behind the move.

Optus to switch on nationwide wireless broadband 18 months early

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 06:56:17 GMT

Optus has announced it will switch on nationwide HSPA mobile network dubbed Turbo G, offering wireless broadband, a full 18 months ahead of schedule.

Vodafone unveils new national mobile broadband phone network

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:58:53 GMT

The mobile telco will expand its 3G network to almost double the current coverage, upgrade it to 14.4Mbps HSDPA with a 2Mbps uplink channel, and convert part of its GSM spectrum into a new long-throw regional 900MHz service with 3G technology

Notebook vendors jump onto 3G

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 07:37:21 GMT

Forget annoying soap-on-a-rope USB modems -- now you can have wireless broadband built-in to your laptop. Here's what you need to know.

Telstra's secret Next G documents ordered confidential

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:09:54 GMT

Telstra misled the public over Next G coverage, the Federal Court has ruled. Now, the telco giant doesn't want the public to see evidence that was presented in court.

Three cuts mobile broadband pricing by 50%

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 05:55:18 GMT

Just one week after Vodafone and Optus slashed their mobile broadband rates to ADSL levels, 3 ups the ante by dramatically lowering its prices across the board.

Australia gets new Minister for Broadband

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:22:13 GMT

For the first time, Australia has a minister for broadband. Not before time, we say... was it really that hard?

Telcos cut mobile broadband to ADSL pricing

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:21:13 GMT

Both Vodafone and Optus have lopped their mobile broadband rates to match ADSL deals on the market, in a major about-turn for the mobile industry.

Dodo Internet in complaint crisis

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:32:27 GMT

Cut-price ISP Dodo is facing a tsunami of customer rage, topping the complaint list at the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.

"Literally naked" DSL services loom

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:55:43 GMT

The availability of naked DSL services will might well unleash a wave of anti-Telstra sentiment, as customers realise they can be freed of line rental forever.

Enter the Skypephone

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 03:23:21 GMT

3's new made-for-Skype mobile phone gives you free VoIP calls on the move. Up next: service stations to give away free petrol, and coffee shops hand out complimentary cappuccinos?

VoIP: what's in it for you?

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 06:00:00 GMT

With all the hype around VoIP, it's easy to be sceptical about its benefits. But they are there. Here are VoIP's key benefits:

Integrating VoIP into your business

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 06:00:00 GMT

Getting VoIP into your company can be an expensive, tricky undertaking or it can be a lark; it all depends on the equipment, provider, and equipment structure you choose.

VoIP hits the tropics

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 06:00:00 GMT

CASE STUDY |With more than 40 sites spread across a catchment area 100km long, communication between the more than 1000 employees of Cairns City Council (CCC) has always been tricky. Migrating to VoIP has delivered large cost savings and some unexpected benefits.

Setting up SVS

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 23:02:23 GMT

Setting up SVS

VoIP frequently asked questions

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 03:58:32 GMT

If you're relatively new to VoIP, you probably have a bunch of questions about it. Here are a few of the most common answered.

Telstra pushes Next G as bigger and faster, but stays mum on cheaper

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:25:17 GMT

Telstra says the coverage of its Next G network is now equivalent to CDMA, but the telco dominator isn't talking signal strength or price cuts just yet.

Telstra launches Unplanned Broadband

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 03:55:23 GMT

No, Telstra's unplanned broadband is not what happens when its senior management team forgets to use protection: it's a new wireless broadband service available on a prepaid basis.

BlackBerry preps over-the-air calendar sync for families

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 02:53:49 GMT

RIM's new BlackBerry Unite software will private let groups of up to five users share calendars, documents and pictures plus do remote over-the-air backup. Can the iPhone do that?

Engin introduces $0 VoIP adaptor

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 05:14:56 GMT

Engin has launched an $0 internet telephony adaptor. But is it really the best deal out there for getting into VoIP?

Virgin Broadband cutting off calls

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 05:12:51 GMT

Virgin Broadband has admitted it is cutting off callers on its unlimited plan deliberately if they talk too long on the phone.

Telstra jacks up line rental yet again

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 09:23:46 GMT

Telstra is increasing line rental yet again, this time targeting customers who use a different telco for long distance calls.

GoTalk launches unlimited VoIP calls to mobiles

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 03:58:29 GMT

VoIP telco GoTalk has launched a VoIP plan that solves the biggest bugbear of Australian internet telephony users -- the high cost of calls to mobiles.

Telstra announces internet for trains... in Europe

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:34:15 GMT

Under fire for Next G coverage issues in Australia, Telstra has just announced a $3.6 million project to provide network services to London-Paris train operator Eurostar.

Coonan puts fax spam in the firing line

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 07:30:13 GMT

Do faxes from Dell, investment seminars and outrageously overpriced directory listings keep rolling off the office fax machine week in, week out?

Telstra confirms 30Mbit/s cable upgrade

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 05:33:26 GMT

Telstra CEO Sol Trujillo has confirmed, as revealed by APCon 17th July, that Telstra will be upgrading its hybrid fibre-coaxial network to provide 30Mbit/s broadband speeds.

How to: BitTorrent on your mobile phone

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:28:43 GMT

The complete tutorial on how to control your torrents via your mobile phone. Hi, my name is Peter and I have a problem.

VoIP fights back: 10c untimed calls to 31 countries

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 06:29:09 GMT

Optus and Virgin might be signing customers by the bucketload to their new unlimited calls + broadband plans, but the VoIP guys are fighting back.

Government orders Telstra: no CDMA shutdown

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 06:48:22 GMT

The Government has today blocked Telstra from shutting down the CDMA mobile network prematurely.

Beware of Dodo's "free" broadband

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 02:36:58 GMT

Cut-price ISP Dodo had some exciting news yesterday: free ADSL2+ broadband! Being jaded sceptics though, we had to ask: what's the catch?

The Wiggles more trusted than Telstra CEO

Mon, 21 May 2007 15:03:33 GMT

A Reader's Digest survey has thrown up a surprising result: The Wiggles are more trusted -- by a wide margin -- than Telstra CEO Sol Trujillo. It hasn't exactly been a great week for the regulation-busting crusader.