Heat dialled up on minister over triple-zero outages
Communications Minister Anika Wells has been questioned about her handling of a triple-zero outage, as reforms to the emergency network are introduced.
telecommunication service
Hearings reveal Optus bungled triple-zero outage email
Federal authorities only found out about a catastrophic Optus triple-zero outage a day after it was resolved because the telco notified the wrong email address.
Optus in government’s sights as parliament returns
Telco execs, the communications minister, government bureaucrats and the opposition leader will face tough questions when federal parliament returns.
‘Unacceptable’: second triple-zero Optus outage slammed
A second Optus triple-zero outage in as many weeks has raised the ire of a premier as calls mount for the government to empower regulators rather than telcos.
‘Scapegoating’ Optus blames tech, staff for outages
Optus has blamed technical equipment and human error for two emergency call outages as the prime minister pans the telco for its "unacceptable" failures.
‘History repeating’: quit heat dials up on Optus chief
Calls are growing across the political spectrum for the boss of Optus to stand down after his network oversaw a brutal network outage linked to multiple deaths.
Three die as Optus triple-zero glitch impacts hundreds
Optus has apologised to telco customers as an outage that blocked triple-zero calls to hundreds of people in three states is linked to three deaths.
Fourth death during Optus triple zero outage confirmed
A West Australian has become the fourth confirmed death linked to an Optus outage that prevented customers from calling triple zero.
Optus boss answers calls to quit as outage fiasco grows
The head of Optus has blamed a failure of "established processes" to address a triple-zero outage connected to three deaths, as calls for penalties mount.
Telco ‘cowboys’ not held to account after prior outage
A reliance on self-regulation has turned the telco sector into the wild west, an expert warns as Optus reels in the aftermath of another serious outage.
Cost and complexity leaves the telco sector on hold
Australia must move faster in deploying telecommunications infrastructure or risk falling behind in the AI race, Telstra chief Vicki Brady says.
Deaf, non-verbal man among ‘inexcusable’ Optus targets
Optus is hoping a court will approve a $100 million fine after it engaged in "unacceptable" sales tactics affecting Indigenous and disabled customers.
NBN users gorge on fibre for healthier download speeds
Technology upgrades are transforming how Australian's connect to the internet, as the NBN Co's full-year results show many premises are using fibre.
Upper house pushing Labor on ‘secret’ gambling ads plan
The government is under pressure over its plans for gambling advertising as an independent senator pushes for the release of documents.
Optus says yes to record $100m fine for dodgy sales
Optus has agreed to a record fine for "unconscionable" sales to hundreds of consumers, including in remote Indigenous communities its network didn't cover.
Space to Gympie and beyond: satellite texts go live
Telstra has begun rolling-out the nation's first satellite to mobile texting service, a move the telco hopes will keep rural Australians better connected.
Telstra accused of beating around the bush on coverage
Telstra admits changing its website to update coverage claims, but denies it misled customers as the consumer watchdog considers the allegations.
No tuning out as influencers reshape political campaign
Politicians need to find new ways to reach young voters or risk irrelevance, one of Australia's most prominent social media commentators says.
Telco complaints a symptom of cost-of-living crisis
Telcos are failing to offer sufficient help to customers struggling to pay their bills, as the telecommunications watchdog receives a spike in complaints.
Is it down? Strict rules for telcos that suffer outages
Phone and internet users will be given more details when their services drop out under rules imposed on telecommunication providers.
Defence secretary ‘shared another chat on Yemen strike’
A report claiming the US defence secretary shared sensitive military details on another Signal chat has renewed criticism of the Trump administration.
Cops failed to act above the line with data, phone taps
A scathing ombudsman's review of police surveillance powers found state forces lacking in how they secretly accessed telecommunications data.
Espionage and terror threats grow in dangerous era
From hostile foreign nations targeting diaspora communities to youth radicalised online, the top spy agency's annual threat assessment warns risks have grown.
‘More gaps, more drop-outs’: rise in complaints post-3G
Telcos have been urged to do better in rural Australia, with continued reports of poor mobile service and new black spots after the 3G mobile network closed.
Telstra hikes dividend, announces $750m share buy-back
Telstra says it made $1.1 billion in profit in the six months to December 31, up 7.1 per cent from the same period in 2023.
Telcos talk up 3G shut down amid ‘dire’ safety fears
Rural Australians have reported poor mobile service and new black spots after the 3G network closure, but the telcos say their coverage is steady or better.
Upgraded NBN could compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink
Australia must expand its network if it wants to compete with Elon Musk's offering and provide affordable, reliable internet to the regions, an expert says.
Brushes with death in the bush as digital gap persists
Towns have been left without power and mobile service during major disasters, with an independent review urging the government to bolster rural connectivity.
New routes to secure internet for Australia, Pacific
New cables will entrench Australia's role as a state-of-the-art connection point for large volumes of data in a global digital ecosystem, project partners say.
Teen social media ban a step closer despite concerns
A social media ban is looming for Australians aged under 16 after the measure to force restrictions on many platforms cleared its first hurdle in parliament.
Social media ban ‘significant risk’ to child’s rights
A blanket social media ban for Australians under 16 has been criticised for limiting rights and not having enough privacy safeguards for all users.