2015
Mobile Network News
ACMA proposes IoT spectrum access changes
22 December, 2015
The ACMA has said it wants to encourage technological innovation by making access to radio-frequency spectrum easier for IoT and M2M operators.
Vodafone activates first mobile blackspot cell tower
21 December, 2015
Vodafone Australia has announced the switch-on of its first cell tower as part of the Australian government's mobile blackspot program, bringing mobile coverage to White Rock Wind Farm near Glen Innes, in the New England region of New South Wales.
Telstra activates first three mobile blackspot cell towers
18 December, 2015
Telstra has announced the switch-on of the first three cell towers as part of the Australian government's mobile blackspot program, with Cheepie and Marlborough in Queensland, and Deniliquin in New South Wales becoming the first areas to receive coverage.
Vodafone expands 4G footprint in NSW and ACT
18 December, 2015
Vodafone has made enhancements to its 4G network for areas of regional New South Wales and the ACT.
Vodafone partners on digitising agriculture
11 December, 2015
Vodafone Australia has announced a partnership that will see the telecommunications provider help develop an online platform for Australian farmers as part of an effort to "digitally transform" the agriculture industry.
Telstra still ‘master of the game’ over rivals Optus, Vodafone: analysts
2 December, 2015
Telstra dominates the Australian telecoms market with a revenue share of around 62%, and is now well-positioned to increase its business at the expense e of its rival telcos in the emerging digital, sharing and networking economy, according to industry analysts.
Huawei on track for 5G launch in Australia ‘right after 2020’
1 December, 2015
China giant Huawei intends to be a major player in 5G telecommunications in Australia around 2020.
Optus crowns new MVNO with streaming-data deal
30 November, 2015
My Mobile Data has struck a wholesale deal for the Optus 4G network to provide customers with access to data-hungry content, such as streaming video on-demand (SVOD) and audio.
Government rescue package to shine light on mobile black spots on V/Line
30 November, 2015
Wayne Bell commutes from Ballan to Melbourne each day for work. His is unable to connect to the internet all the way due to black spots in the signal
What's happening with Voice Over LTE in Australia
27 November, 2015
Voice Over LTE, or VoLTE, is starting to appear on Australian 4G networks. But what is it, how do you get it and what will it do for you?
TPG Telecom considers fighting NBN with mobile networks
20 November, 2015
TPG Telecom has warned it might spend more on mobile networks that compete against the national broadband network if the federal government goes through with proposals to tax internet users in the city for the cost of building broadband in the bush
ACMA refarms spectrum for mobile broadband
19 November, 2015
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced its long-term plans out to 2020 for spectrum in the 803-960MHz band, with the 850MHz band to be expanded for mobile broadband services.
Vodafone switches on 4G in regional Queensland
19 November, 2015
Vodafone Australia is continuing its bid to extend mobile coverage to areas outside of its metropolitan footprint, with the telecommunications carrier rolling out 4G to regional and metro Queensland.
Optus, Vodafone outline network expansion plans in preparation for 5G
17 November, 2015
Optus and Vodafone are both eyeing a gradual transition to 5G in 2020 by continually expanding their current 3G and 4G capabilities and networks, including rolling out voice over LTE (VoLTE), voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi), and leveraging and combining spectrum bands.
Telstra, Ericsson achieve five-carrier LTE aggregation
9 November, 2015
Telstra and its technology supplier Ericsson claim to have achieved a world-first with a test that used four separate radio frequency spectrum bands with five carriers for very high long term evolution-advanced (LTE-A) bit rates
Satellite coverage through SatSleeve gives Optus 100% mobile coverage
5 November, 2015
Optus has laid claim to providing 100 percent of the Australian population with mobile coverage after the launch of its SatSleeve satellite service.
Telstra losing post-paid customers as no-contract market grows
5 November, 2015
Market research company Kantar has revealed that while Telstra has grown in no-contract and prepaid, it has fallen overall due to a drop in its post-paid customers
Optus reseller Yatango Mobile Australia could owe millions
29 October, 2015
Optus reseller Yatango Mobile Australia could owe as much as $7.7 million, as two related Yatango companies also fall into administration
Telstra 4G network to reach 99 percent by mid-2017
26 October, 2015
Telstra CEO Andrew Penn has committed to rolling out Telstra's 4G network to 99 percent of the Australian population by June 2017, with continuing deployment of its voice over LTE (VoLTE) capability and investment in its national network a priority.
Australians in regional areas could be left behind: Vodafone
21 October, 2015
Australia risks missing out on the full benefits of the technological revolution unless its telecommunications policy is overhauled, according to Vodafone chief executive, Inaki Berroeta,
Kogan, Coles revamp mobile plans
19 October, 2015
Aussie online retail heavyweight Ruslan Kogan has made a dramatic re-entrance into the Australian mobile market, signing a partnership with Vodafone to relaunch Kogan Mobile with cheap prepaid plans offering unlimited calls and texts.
Melbourne’s city loop trains get mobile coverage
15 October, 2015
Melbourne rail operators and Optus today switched on a new 3G and 4G network extension intended to fix the underground coverage blackspot frustrating the city’s commuters.
Vodafone offering VoLTE before Christmas, but only for Samsung users
14 October, 2015
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is set to hit Vodafone's Australian network, with the telco announcing that it will begin rolling out the service to post-paid customers on a select number of Samsung devices.
Optus closing the gap on Telstra’s mobile coverage
14 October, 2015
Telstra has retained its position as Australia’s highest performing mobile network though Optus is closing the gap, according to a new report.
Amaysim chief leaves 'hairy goals' behind in chase for a million mobile customers
12 October, 2015
Amaysim chief executive Julian Ogrin is confident the company's low-cost offerings and larger download allowances will allow it to meet and possibly beat its target of 1 million mobile customers by 2019, despite rising competition in the telecommunications market
Lancefield and Cobaw feel isolated by mobile black spots during bushfires
11 October, 2015
Bushfire-hit areas of Lancefield and Cobaw missed out on a wave of mobile phone coverage upgrades, despite being listed on a national database of black spots.
Telstra pushes LANES to emergency services, enterprises
6 October, 2015
Telstra is continuing its drive to get emergency services agencies using its dedicated LANES service for their mobile communications, partnering with Ambulance Victoria for the AFL grand final on Saturday
TPG to build Vodafone dark fibre network in $1bn deal
30 September, 2015
Vodafone and TPG have signed two deals worth more than $1 billion which will see TPG build a dark fibre network for Vodafone and migrate its own wholesale mobile customer base away from Optus to Vodafone.
Telstra begins rolling out VoLTE services
16 September, 2015
Telstra has begun rolling out 4G voice (VoLTE) services for some of its consumer customers, which will allow high-definition voice calls to be made using the carrier’s 4G network without a device switching to a legacy 3G network.
Telcos invited to apply for spot in 1800MHz spectrum auction
11 September, 2015
The communications regulator has opened applications for participation in the country's auction of 1800MHz spectrum in regional areas, releasing details of the starting prices for all lots to go on sale
ACMA updates spectrum outline as mobile broadband usage increases
10 September, 2015
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has updated its five-year outlook on spectrum usage, releasing two reports on Thursday that outline how the telecommunications sector can deal with the growth in mobile broadband usage and technologies.
Telstra takes on $30 million NT co-investment project
8 September, 2015
Telstra has inked a $30 million, three year infrastructure co-investment deal with the Northern Territory Government to help deliver better mobile and broadband services to remote locations throughout the Territory.
Telstra battles use of illegal repeater
5 September, 2015
POOR mobile phone coverage throughout the Biloela region isn't Telstra's mistake - instead, a customer using an illegal repeater is to blame..
Optus sets 3x carrier aggregation in Melbourne
3 September, 2015
Optus is now delivering carrier aggregation on three separate mobile networks to Melbourne customers with two of Samsung's new-model smartphones.
S'pore has the region's fastest mobile data speed
1 September, 2015
Singapore has the fastest mobile data speeds in the South-east Asia and Oceania region, according to a report released by communication technology and services provider Ericsson in June.
Telstra Cat 9 network: for the magic you need all the pipelines
25 August, 2015
Testing a superfast 450 megabit per second data superhighway for mobile phones can have its issues. It’s what I discovered when I tried Telstra’s new 4GX Cat 9 network with one of the first two phones designed to access it.
Telstra lands multi-million dollar Australian Rail Track deal
25 August, 2015
Telstra has landed a multi-million dollar, ten-year telecommunications contract with the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).
INSIGHT: 5G is coming, but what does it mean?
21 August, 2015
There are many operators, vendors, industry bodies, academic and research institutions investing in 5G, with research and development activities, planned network trials and commitments.
Optus launches 4G+ carrier aggregation with FDD, TDD
17 August, 2015
Optus has combined one frequency-division duplex (FDD) and two time-division duplex (TDD) 4G LTE spectrum bands in Newcastle to offer significantly higher-speed mobile data downloads that have so far reached 317Mbps.
Telstra's Category 9 4G will service new Samsung devices
14 August, 2015
Telstra has announced that the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ and the Galaxy Note 5, launched in New York on Thursday, will be the first devices to work across the telco's Category 9 4G network.
Optus reaches 9.38 million mobile subscribers
13 August, 2015
Optus has seen its first quarter EBITDA and net profit grow, reflecting higher mobile customer acquisitions and retention as well as a higher take up of its device repayment plans.
Telstra posts $4.23 billion profit, meeting expectations
13 August, 2015
Telstra chief executive Andy Penn says he will use a "win at all costs" strategy to maintain the telco's dominance of the mobile market in a move that has worried some shareholders.
Mobile phone hotspots planned for remote parts of Central Australia
11 August, 2015
More than 30 mobile phone hotspots, developed by an Aboriginal organisation in Alice Springs, will be set up in remote locations in Central Australia.
Optus launches WiFi Talk app
11 August, 2015
Optus customers are now able to make calls and send text messages over Wi-Fi. The Australian telco claims it is the first in the industry to offer the service via an app, WiFi Talk.
After NBN waste, mobile black spot scheme shows benefits of planning
10 August, 2015
The Commonwealth government has put in $100 million to eradicate mobile black spots. With other funding, the total invested under the program is $385 million
Optus to kill off 2G mobile services
5 August, 2015
Optus has confirmed it will shut down its 2G GSM mobile phone network, with the carrier citing increased 4G mobile data use as a key reason for the decision
Telstra to boost mobile investment to $5bn
9 July, 2015
Telstra chief executive Andy Penn has committed to investing more than $5 billion in the telco's mobile network over the next three years during his first major speech since taking the job.
Train tunnel phone coverage stuck in a loop
8 July, 2015
Plans for mobile phone services in the Melbourne City Loop have been dealt another major blow, with the project delayed for a second time in 12 months.
Major Vodafone network upgrade goes live
8 July, 2015
Vodafone has switched traffic from its 4G data customers over to its new core Ericsson-based network ahead of the rollout of voice over LTE (VoLTE) services later this year.
Rural dwellers employ elaborate setups for internet
7 July, 2015
Rural residents are spending thousands of dollars on aerials and repeaters while paying large amounts of money for internet plans with small usage allowances, despite the NBN rollout and the government's efforts to address mobile blackspots
Telstra 2G 'Nana phones' living on borrowed time
6 July, 2015
Australians relying on Telstra's old 2G mobile network have less than 18 months to buy a new handset and SIM card if they want to stay with Telstra.
Optus misses out on mobile blackspot funding
25 June, 2015
Australia’s second largest mobile network provider Optus has failed to secure any funding to build new mobile towers in regional blackspots under a $385 million infrastructure program co-funded by the Commonwealth, states and telcos.
Optus considers future of 2G mobile services
17 June, 2015
Optus is reviewing the future of its 2G GSM mobile services after parent Singtel opted to shut down its Singapore 2G network
GSM switch off good news for phone users, not for connected devices
15 June, 2015
Carriers around the world are converging on 2017 as the year to turn off their GSM networks, with three operators in Singapore announcing Monday their plans to reuse their GSM spectrum for other services.
Australia's phone and internet market could become duopoly, says Optus chief
29 May, 2015
Singtel-Optus chief executive Allen Lew has detailed how the company will turn up the heat on Telstra, while telling investors that, much like the supermarket and airline industries, Australia's telecommunications market could end up as a duopoly.
Australian government to auction regional 1800MHz spectrum
29 May, 2015
The government is planning to auction off key 1800MHz spectrum in regional Australia that will likely lead to improved 4G services outside of the major cities of Australia.
ACMA opts for limits in upcoming 1800MHz auction
29 May, 2015
The federal government will offer key 1800MHz spectrum in regional Australia to interested buyers in a move that will provide a boost to regional 4G services
Woolworths to become Telstra MVNO
28 May, 2015
Supermarket giant Woolworths has signed a deal with Telstra to become a wholesale provider of the telco's 3G mobile network
Australian government proposes spectrum sharing and trading
22 May, 2015
The Australian government has proposed a massive overhaul of spectrum legislation, with an eye to allow telcos to share and trade spectrum amongst themselves.
Why 2G/3G networks won’t close en masse until 2020
5 May, 2015
LTE’s appeal and increased affordability means operators in developed markets have to refarm GSM or CDMA spectrum to accommodate this demand.
Mobile phone repeaters targeted by ACMA and Fair Trading
5 May, 2015
The Australian Communications and Media Authority and NSW Fair Trading have joined forces to crack down on the use of illegal signal boosters that are being used to improve patchy mobile phone reception.
Rio Tinto fears spectrum lockout by 4G telcos
29 April, 2015
Rio Tinto wants the federal government to limit the amount of 1800MHz spectrum to be auctioned to mobile telcos, spectrum the miner relies on to deploy microwave backhaul to remote mine sites.
Australia's telcos in early battle over regional 4G auction
29 April, 2015
Australia's second and third largest telcos Optus and Vodafone are arguing for the Government to restrict market leader Telstra from increasing its regional advantage in the upcoming 1800MHx spectrum auction.
Telstra’s faster 4G mobile evolution ‘12 months away’
23 April, 2015
Telstra is 12 months away from flicking the switch on the latest evolution of its 4G mobile network which will be capable of delivering download speeds of up to 600 megabits per second.
Big three telcos make their call on mobile black spots
20 April, 2015
The three big mobile network companies have all put in proposals under the federal government’s $100 million Mobile Black Spot Programme, which aims to improve mobile phone coverage in outer metropolitan, rural and regional Australia.
Vodafone extends network deal with Nokia Networks
25 March, 2015
Vodafone Hutchison Australia's mobile network will be run from India over the next four years by Nokia Networks as part of a deal worth around $200 million.
Australian govt eyes emergency mobile broadband network
25 March, 2015
The Australian government has asked the Productivity Commission to conduct a cost-benefit analysis into a dedicated national mobile broadband network for emergency services.
TPG could buy out Vodafone by next year: iiNet founder
25 March, 2015
iiNet founder and former CEO Michael Malone has said that Vodafone Hutchison Australia could be acquired by TPG within the next year as Australia's telecommunications industry heads down a consolidation road that will lead to just three major players.
Telstra expounds on 4G wholesale product
18 March, 2015
Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) will have access to Telstra's 4G service by June next year, but may not be able to provide full-speed downloads to customers initially.
Australian 4G speeds not improving
17 March, 2015
Australia mobile customers get some of the best 4G LTE coverage in the world but are receiving less than impressive data speeds, large-scale user research shows.
Nationals promise to upgrade NSW regional trains and mobile network
15 March, 2015
Party leader and deputy premier Troy Grant also pledges at campaign launch that a re-elected Coalition government will not sell any electricity assets in the bush.
Illegal mobile phone signal boosters causing problems for other network users
7 March, 2015
Poor mobile phone reception is a part of life for many people living in regional Australia, and a growing number of residents are turning to crime to combat the problem.
Optus records 480 Mbps download speeds to single user device
2 March, 2015
Optus has achieved download speeds of 480 megabits per second (Mbps) to a single user device.
Telstra to deploy Ericsson LTE-Broadcast capability on 4GX
2 March, 2015
The company will deploy a 450Mbps peak LTE-Advanced Cat 9 network capability in selected capital city CBDs by April 2015
Telstra, Ericsson to partner on 5G
2 March, 2015
Telstra will partner with its long-term equipment supplier Ericsson to define 5G technology in an effort to launch the network for commercial use in 2020
Telstra to build 22 new WA mobile towers
18 February, 2015
Telstra will build 22 new mobile phone towers across regional Western Australia after the state government announced it would invest $45 million into boosting mobile coverage.
Vodafone loses 46k customers
18 February, 2015
Vodafone continued to lose customers in 2014, dropping 46,000 subscribers for the full year despite user growth in the second half
All The Mobile Phone Frequencies Used In Australia (2015 Edition)
16 February, 2015
If you’re looking at buying a new mobile device, especially one that’s an import, it’s worth knowing which Australian networks it will support. These are all the frequencies currently used in Australia.
Vodafone partners with JCDecaux to boost inner-city mobile coverage
16 February, 2015
Bus stops and billboards across the country could soon become makeshift mobile towers thanks to a global push by outdoor advertising giant JCDecaux.
Can VoLTE recharge Vodafone's fortunes?
16 February, 2015
It's no particular secret that in the Australian telco space, Vodafone's been running third for some time now, especially following the tumultuous loss of customers after 2011's "Vodafail" debacle. Vodafone has been busy upgrading its networks and trying to rehabilitate its image.
Optus net profit drops despite user, services growth
12 February, 2015
Optus today posted growth in mobile service revenue and customer numbers for its most recent quarter, offset by an 8 percent fall in net profit.
Telstra profits surge on mobile, cloud growth
12 February, 2015
Telstra has reported a net profit of $2.1 billion for the first half of the financial year, buoyed by surges in its retail and enterprise business units and higher customer numbers.
ACMA lobbies to reallocate regional 1800 MHz
10 February, 2015
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has begun lobbying Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull to reallocate regional 1800MHz spectrum for use with 4G LTE services.
Vodafone declares turnaround complete
9 February, 2015
Australia’s third largest telco Vodafone has completed a three-year turnaround effort initiated following large-scale network and customer service issues in 2010
NBN Co and Optus co-build mobile towers
6 February, 2015
NBN Co and Optus are planning to co-build a number of mobile towers in regional and remote areas of Australia for their respective fixed-wireless and satellite networks.
Singtel-Optus chief pledges to break Telstra's stronghold
27 January, 2015
SingTel-Optus' new chief executive Allen Lew has pledged to break Telstra's mobile service dominance and build the nation's leading network in a move that could trigger a multibillion-dollar construction arms race between the telco giants
Canberra 4G mobile coverage expanded as Telstra upgrades
6 January, 2015
Mobile coverage for Canberrans has had another boost with both major telcommunication companies now offering a higher speed 4G service.
Vodafone CEO puts data and content first in comeback plans
6 January, 2015
Vodafone Australia could be known as the company that cried 'growth', but CEO Inaki Berroeta is confident that the company's long-awaited return is well under way.
Australia has more phones than people
1 January, 2015
Mobile-phone accounts outnumber Australians, the latest report from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) says.
Optus Launches 700Mhz 4G LTE
1 January, 2015
It’s the 1st of January — happy new year — and with it, the 700Mhz spectrum that used to be used for analogue TV broadcasts is now open for carriers to utilise. Optus has announced the rollout of more than 270 700Mhz sites across Australia.
Telstra's 700Mhz LTE Hits 600 New Towns Tomorrow
1 January, 2015
With the calendar rolling over to 2015, the 700Mhz spectrum split up between Optus, TPG and Telstra is fully available for carriers to use. We’ve already seen Optus’ plans roll out overnight, and now Telstra’s released a fuller picture of its 700Mhz “4GX” plans.
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