Soul Patts sells stake in TPG Telecom
AUSTRALIA 07:46

Soul Patts sells stake in TPG Telecom

The investment firm Soul Patts has sold its stake in Australian telecom operator TPG Telecom. According to a stock market filing, the 61.5 million shares, equal to an around 3 percent stake in TPG, were sold for AUD 244.9 million. Soul Patts previously had almost 13 percent of the company's shares, making it one of the largest shareholders after Vodafone, CK Hutchison and TPG's founders. The firm started selling down its stake in March.

Telstra launches satellite messaging ad campaign
AUSTRALIA 07:19

Telstra launches satellite messaging ad campaign

Telstra has launched a new advertising campaign to promote its satellite messaging service, first launched just under a year ago with Starlink. The ads feature three stop-motion films developed by Passion Animation, showing remote locations where the satellite service can help keep people connected when there's no mobile network. The campaign will run across TV, cinema, digital, social and retail channels, backed by the agencies Bear Meets Eagle On Fire, +61 and OMD Australia. 

Cirpack, Summa to jointly deploy VoLTE services for Vodafone Polynesie
FRENCH POLYNESIA 07:17

Cirpack, Summa to jointly deploy VoLTE services for Vodafone Polynesie

France-based Cirpack Software has signed a partnership agreement with Summa Networks, a Spanish telecom software provider specialized in modular and flexible core network services. Cirpack and Summa plan to jointly deploy Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services for Vodafone Polynesie, which currently serves around 150,000 subscribers across French Polynesia.

Optus launches promotion across Samsung, Apple and Google devices
AUSTRALIA 10 APR

Optus launches promotion across Samsung, Apple and Google devices

Optus has launched its "Epic Deals" promotion, offering discounts and bundled device offers across selected smartphones and accessories from April to mid-May 2026. The campaign runs from 9 April to 17 May and applies to selected postpaid mobile plans, including 24- and 36-month contracts. The offers include device discounts, bundled accessories and online-only clearance pricing across multiple handset ranges.

New Zealand completes telecommunications regulatory review
NEW ZEALAND 10 APR

New Zealand completes telecommunications regulatory review

The New Zealand Government has completed its Telecommunications Sector Review, proposing 22 recommendations aimed at modernising regulation and reducing administrative complexity across the sector. Regulation minister David Seymour and communications minister Paul Goldsmith said the review examines a regulatory framework originally designed around copper networks and legacy services, concluding that it has struggled to keep pace with fibre, mobile networks and evolving market dynamics.

Viasat opens Guam office to support Indo-Pacific region
GUAM 10 APR

Viasat opens Guam office to support Indo-Pacific region

Viasat has opened a new office in Guam to provide onsite maintenance and support services for satellite ground infrastructure serving government and commercial customers in the Indo-Pacific region. The facility is intended to deliver localised support for ground antenna systems, with services aimed at reducing the time and resources required to maintain and service ground stations in the region. The company said the expansion responds to demand for in-region aftermarket support for satellite communications

HumeLink transmission project extends mobile coverage across regional Australia
AUSTRALIA 8 APR

HumeLink transmission project extends mobile coverage across regional Australia

A transmission project supporting Australia's energy transition is being used to extend mobile coverage across parts of regional New South Wales, with telecommunications equipment installed on high-voltage infrastructure. Transgrid, working with Lumea, is deploying telecommunications boosters on transmission towers along the 365 km HumeLink corridor. The initiative is intended to create a continuous connectivity corridor across several regional areas, including Cootamundra-Gundagai, Wagga Wagga, Snowy Valle

Australia expands community Wi-Fi programme for First Nations regions
AUSTRALIA 8 APR

Australia expands community Wi-Fi programme for First Nations regions

The Australian government has announced AUD 11.6 million in funding to extend free community Wi-Fi to remote First Nations communities in the Northern Territory, as part of a broader national digital inclusion programme. The investment will support connectivity in 37 communities across regions including Barkly, Central Australia and East Arnhem under the AUD 20 million First Nations Community Wi-Fi programme. The Northern Territory government will co-invest in 31 of these locations.

NextDC launches AUD 1 bln securities offer backed by La Caisse
AUSTRALIA 7 APR

NextDC launches AUD 1 bln securities offer backed by La Caisse

Australian-based pan-Asian data centre developer and operator NextDC has launched a AUD 1 billion wholesale offer of subordinated hybrid securities as part of its funding strategy to support continued expansion of its data centre platform. The company said the offer is underpinned by a binding AUD 1 billion commitment from Canadian investment group La Caisse, with proceeds intended to support development of new data centre capacity and broader growth initiatives.

New Zealand sets framework for shared use of 24-30 GHz spectrum
NEW ZEALAND 7 APR

New Zealand sets framework for shared use of 24-30 GHz spectrum

New Zealand's government has outlined decisions on the long-term allocation of spectrum in the 24-30 GHz range, establishing a framework for shared use between mobile and satellite services while delaying wider mobile deployment in key bands. The ministry of business, innovation and employment (MBIE), through regulator Radio Spectrum Management (RSM), said lower 28 GHz spectrum (27.5-28.35 GHz) will be shared on a geographic basis, with mobile services prioritised in urban areas and fixed satellite services

Sharon AI signs USD 1.25 bln AI infrastructure deal with ESDS
AUSTRALIA 7 APR

Sharon AI signs USD 1.25 bln AI infrastructure deal with ESDS

Australian neocloud provider Sharon AI has signed a five-year AI cloud infrastructure agreement with India's ESDS Software Solutions valued at USD 1.25 billion, covering deployment of GPU capacity in Australia. Under the contract, the company will deploy an 8,000-unit B300 GPU cluster within an existing Australian data centre, with revenue expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026. The agreement includes an option to extend for a further two years.

AMTA urges regulatory reform to unlock mobile sector investment
AUSTRALIA 3 APR

AMTA urges regulatory reform to unlock mobile sector investment

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has called for targeted regulatory reform to improve productivity and investment in the country's mobile sector, warning that current planning and approval processes are constraining infrastructure rollout and limiting economic benefits. In a submission to the Senate Select Committee on Productivity in Australia, the industry body argues that mobile connectivity underpins digital applications and services essential to economic activity, including e

AUSTRALIA 3 APR

Etherstack subsidiary wins AUD 9 mln Australian government contract

Australian vendor Etherstack's wholly owned subsidiary, Auria Wireless has been awarded a multi-year contract with the Australian government, represented by the Department of Home Affairs. The initial term of the contract is to 31 December 2028, commencing immediately, with an extension of up to two years at the Department's option. The contract value has a fixed and variable component. The fixed component is valued at AUD 2.1m over the initial term, with management estimates of the additional variable comp

AUSTRALIA 2 APR

ACCC finds most NBN users receive expected speeds, but gaps remain

Most Australian households are receiving broadband speeds close to those advertised under their NBN plans, although some high-speed services and fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) connections continue to underperform, according to the latest Measuring Broadband Australia report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The regulator found that average download speeds across fixed-line NBN services reached 98.5 percent of plan speeds during evening peak hours in December 2025. ACCC commissioner I

AUSTRALIA 2 APR

Optus follows Telstra with second price rise within a year

Optus has begun notifying customers it is will be raising its postpaid mobile plans by AUD 5 from 18 May – the second time within 12 months. The operator has promised higher data allowances for the new tariffs. Its cheapest "Choice Plus" postpaid plan comes with an extra 10 GB of data (now 60 GB) and will rise by AUD 5 to AUD 60 a month. Its medium plan increases to AUD 70 for 240 GB, and the largest plan rises to AUD 90 for 480 GB, which is up 80 GB. 

NEW ZEALAND 2 APR

Spark launches satellite-to-mobile data services with Starlink

Spark New Zealand has launched satellite-to-mobile data and text services in partnership with Starlink, extending connectivity to remote areas across New Zealand. The service enables customers to access data and messaging via satellite when outside the reach of terrestrial mobile networks, provided there is a clear line of sight to the sky. It is available to consumer, SME and enterprise customers on eligible plans, where it is included at no additional cost. Other customers can access the capability as an

AUSTRALIA 1 APR

ACCC proposes tighter service standards in draft NBN regulatory reset

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has outlined proposed changes to the regulatory framework governing government-owned wholesale broadband provider NBN Co, focusing on improved service quality, revised cost settings and higher baseline broadband speeds. The draft determination sets out the regulator's preliminary position for the next regulatory cycle beginning on 1 July 2026, under the existing Special Access Undertaking (SAU). 

NEW ZEALAND 1 APR

Spark completes nationwide 3G network shutdown in New Zealand

Spark New Zealand has completed the shutdown of its nationwide 3G network, marking the closure of all 3G services across New Zealand. The operator said the switch-off follows several years of preparation, including upgrading all 3G-only cell sites to 4G or 5G and building more than 120 new towers since announcing the shutdown timeline in mid-2025. It also issued more than four million customer notifications and supported an industry-wide awareness campaign, alongside community outreach efforts delivered in

AUSTRALIA 1 APR

Australian govt partners Anthropic on AI safety, research and infrastructure

The Australian government has signed an MoU with Anthropic to support collaboration on AI development, safety and research, marking the first formal arrangement under the country's National AI Plan. The agreement sets out a framework for cooperation between government, industry and research institutions, with a focus on aligning AI development with national policy objectives, including safety, economic impact and infrastructure planning. 

NEW ZEALAND 1 APR

Datacom acquires Auckland data centre to expand domestic footprint

New Zealand service provider Datacom has acquired a 5,200 square metre data centre in Auckland from T4 NZ Data Centres, increasing its national portfolio to five facilities, including two in the country's largest city. The company said the acquisition reflects rising demand for in-country digital infrastructure, particularly as artificial intelligence workloads drive increased compute requirements. It added that the expansion supports greater geographic diversity for customers seeking resilience across infr

NEW ZEALAND 1 APR

2degrees research highlights decline in voice calls despite rising mobile usage

New Zealand operator 2degrees has published new research indicating that while mobile phone use continues to increase in New Zealand, voice calls are declining and are associated with higher levels of perceived personal connection than text-based communication. The nationwide study, conducted in March 2026 among 830 adults, found that 68 percent of respondents primarily use messaging services, including SMS and social platforms, to stay in touch, compared with 15 percent who default to phone calls. 

AUSTRALIA 1 APR

Australia proposes new rules on children's data use in draft privacy code

Australia's privacy regulator has released a draft Children's Online Privacy Code that would introduce new obligations on digital services to prioritise the best interests of children when handling personal data. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) said the proposed code would require organisations to consider children's interests before collecting, using or disclosing their personal information, and to obtain consent before using such data for targeted advertising. 

NEW ZEALAND 31 MRT

NZ regulator recommends deregulating fibre landline voice services

New Zealand's Commerce Commission has recommended removing regulation of the wholesale fibre landline voice service, citing low uptake and a sustained shift towards mobile and internet-based calling. The Voice Fibre Fixed Line Access Service was introduced under the 2018 fibre regulatory framework to support the transition from copper networks, when landline usage remained widespread. However, telecommunications commissioner Tristan Gilbertson said demand has since declined significantly, with landline use

AUSTRALIA 31 MRT

Meta, Snap, YouTube and TikTok flagged for social media age compliance issues

Australia's online safety regulator has raised compliance concerns about five major platforms as it shifts towards potential enforcement of the country's Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA) requirements. The eSafety Commissioner said Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube are under investigation for potential non-compliance with rules designed to prevent users under 16 from holding accounts.

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Background

12 APR 23:28

The week in telecoms: Samsung profits soar, Netflix targets kids and telcos build defence vertical

9 APR 15:58

Ziggo Group creation at 2026 low point sets stage for growth ahead

7 APR 11:48

Netherlands TV-video market revenues up just 0.5% in Q4

5 APR 23:40

The week in telecoms: Free goes all-in on roaming, AT&T tries FMC innovation and Starlink gets bigger