Aussie Broadband completes AGL telco acquisition
AUSTRALIA 15 JUN

Aussie Broadband completes AGL telco acquisition

Aussie Broadband has completed its acquisition of AGL Energy's telecommunications business and provided an update on customer migration programmes that are expected to significantly expand its network scale over the next year. The acquisition of AGL Telco was completed on 15 June, following an agreement announced in February. As part of the transaction, AGL has been issued AUD 115 million in Aussie Broadband shares, representing approximately 7 percent of the company's issued capital.

Vocus completes Adelaide-Perth fibre upgrade
AUSTRALIA 15 JUN

Vocus completes Adelaide-Perth fibre upgrade

Australian operator Vocus has completed an upgrade of its Adelaide-Perth 2 (AP2) optical network route, increasing capacity on the long-haul fibre corridor by a factor of four. The upgrade follows the modernisation of the Adelaide-Perth 1 (AP1) route in 2025. Together, the two systems form a dual-route optical platform spanning approximately 2,700km between Adelaide and Perth. According to Vocus, the combined AP1 and AP2 infrastructure now provides four times the capacity of the previous generation network

Naturgy commissions solar projects under Telstra energy agreements
AUSTRALIA 15 JUN

Naturgy commissions solar projects under Telstra energy agreements

Spanish energy company Naturgy has brought two solar power projects in Australia into operation, with output from both facilities contracted to Telstra under long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs). The projects, developed through Naturgy's international generation subsidiary Global Power Generation (GPG), comprise the 260 MW Glenellen solar farm in New South Wales and the 96 MW Bundaberg solar plant in Queensland. Together they add 356 MW of installed solar capacity and increase Naturgy's operational ge

PNG and Australia review progress on digital partnership initiatives
PAPUA NEW GUINEA 12 JUN

PNG and Australia review progress on digital partnership initiatives

Papua New Guinea and Australia have reviewed progress on a range of digital cooperation initiatives, including connectivity infrastructure, AI governance, cybersecurity and digital public infrastructure, during discussions held in Port Moresby. Papua New Guinea acting minister for information and communications technology Peter Tsiamalili Jr. met Australia's ambassador for cyber affairs and critical technology Jessica Hunter, Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) CEO Jonathan

Australia plans to give operators new powers to block cyber threats upstream
AUSTRALIA 12 JUN

Australia plans to give operators new powers to block cyber threats upstream

The Australian government plans to work with telecom providers, cloud operators and other infrastructure providers to enable the upstream blocking of cyber threats as part of the next phase of its national cybersecurity strategy. The initiative is one of the key measures outlined in the Horizon 2 Action Plan for the 2023–2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, backed by an additional AUD 89.3 million in funding over four years.

Optus signs three-year sponsorship agreement with NBL and WNBL
AUSTRALIA 12 JUN

Optus signs three-year sponsorship agreement with NBL and WNBL

Optus has been named a major partner of Australia's National Basketball League (NBL) and Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) under a new three-year agreement covering both competitions. The partnership brings together the operator and the two basketball leagues as they seek to strengthen fan engagement and support the development of the sport across Australia. The agreement spans both the men's and women's leagues and is intended to support initiatives focused on fan connection, community engagement a

Privacy watchdog finds Optus breached privacy obligations over White Pages
AUSTRALIA 11 JUN

Privacy watchdog finds Optus breached privacy obligations over White Pages

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has determined that Optus breached Australian Privacy Principle (APP) 11.1 by failing to adequately protect the personal information of customers who had requested unlisted telephone numbers. The determination concludes an investigation first announced in August 2021 into Optus's handling of customer directory information between 1 October 2015 and 27 September 2019.

InternetNZ opens nominations for board elections
NEW ZEALAND 11 JUN

InternetNZ opens nominations for board elections

InternetNZ has opened nominations for two elected positions on its board, with voting scheduled to take place between 24 July and 10 August 2026. The organisation, which oversees the .nz domain name space and advocates for an open and secure internet in New Zealand, said nominations will remain open until 16 July. Successful candidates will be announced at the organisation's annual general meeting on 13 August.

Australia sees rise in mobile service and financial hardship complaints
AUSTRALIA 10 JUN

Australia sees rise in mobile service and financial hardship complaints

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) received 14,002 complaints during the January to March 2026 quarter, broadly unchanged from the previous quarter, but reported increases in complaints related to mobile services, financial hardship and compensation for financial losses. According to the TIO's Quarter 3 Complaints Report, complaints involving financial loss rose 32.7 percent quarter-on-quarter to 739 cases, while financial hardship complaints increased 25.3 percent to 505. The report said more

ACMA consults on 2.5 GHz changes to support 5G and advanced antenna systems
AUSTRALIA 10 JUN

ACMA consults on 2.5 GHz changes to support 5G and advanced antenna systems

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the technical framework governing spectrum licences in the 2.5 GHz band, with the aim of better supporting 5G deployments and advanced antenna systems (AAS). The regulator said the 2.5 GHz band is a key spectrum band for wireless broadband services, but the current framework, which was originally developed in 2013, is not optimised for newer technologies like 5G and AAS.

Spark deploys IoT-based wildfire detection network at Waitangi Endowment Forest
NEW ZEALAND 9 JUN

Spark deploys IoT-based wildfire detection network at Waitangi Endowment Forest

New Zealand operator Spark, the Far North District Council (FNDC) and Dryad have deployed an ultra-early wildfire detection system at the Waitangi Endowment Forest and Bike Park in Northland, marking the first installation of the technology in New Zealand. The project uses Dryad's Silvanet platform, comprising 250 solar-powered sensors distributed throughout the forest. The sensors are connected through Spark's IoT network and use AI to detect changes in air quality and pollutants associated with smoulderin

NBN Co launches FibreOne customer trial ahead of commercial rollout
AUSTRALIA 9 JUN

NBN Co launches FibreOne customer trial ahead of commercial rollout

Australian government-owned broadband provider NBN Co has launched a customer trial for its proposed FibreOne product, moving the service into a testing phase ahead of a planned commercial rollout. The wholesaler has released a trial agreement for managed service providers (MSPs), which will use FibreOne to deliver services over NBN fibre infrastructure deployed in new developments. The trial is intended to support evaluation, testing and feedback ahead of the product's commercial launch.

AUSTRALIA 5 JUN

DXN secures AUD 8.8 mln AI HPC contract with US neocloud operator

Modular data centre company DXN has signed a binding contract worth AUD 8.8 million to design, manufacture and deploy an AI high-performance computing (HPC) modular data centre for a US-based neocloud operator. The project will comprise a 1.36 MW AI HPC modular data centre and includes the design, engineering, manufacture, delivery and commissioning of a turnkey facility. The deployment will incorporate its prefabricated modular platform with integrated power systems, direct-to-chip liquid cooling, fire sup

AUSTRALIA 5 JUN

Australian govt backs device reuse charter as Telstra Foundation commits AUD 3 mln

The Australian government has endorsed the Tech Reuse for Good Charter, an initiative designed to improve access to digital devices through the redistribution of surplus technology from businesses and public sector organisations. The announcement was accompanied by a commitment from the Telstra Foundation to invest almost AUD 3 million in support of a national device bank.

NEW ZEALAND 5 JUN

One NZ uses AI orchestration to reduce enterprise mobile provisioning times

One New Zealand has deployed UiPath's Maestro orchestration platform to automate enterprise mobile provisioning processes, reducing provisioning times from up to 10 days to less than 10 minutes. According to UiPath, the implementation was completed in five weeks and focused on a provisioning workflow that operated across multiple systems, including Salesforce, Oracle and internal platforms. The process previously involved fragmented handoffs, manual intervention and offshore support, with enterprise mobile

NEW ZEALAND 5 JUN

Spark launches verified call feature to counter impersonation scams

New Zealand operator Spark has launched Verified Call, a calling feature designed to help customers identify legitimate calls from the operator and reduce the risk of impersonation scams. The service displays Spark's name, logo, a verified badge and the reason for the call on a customer's mobile screen before the call is answered. The information is delivered through a notification sent to the Spark app immediately before the call connects and remains visible while the phone is ringing and during the call.

AUSTRALIA 5 JUN

Anti-Scam Centre removes thousands of scam websites in Australia

Australia's National Anti-Scam Centre says online scams remained the largest source of reported financial losses during the first quarter of 2026, despite an overall decline in scam reports and losses. According to Scamwatch, 45,816 scam reports were received between 1 January and 31 March 2026, down 17.8 percent compared with the same period a year earlier. Of those reports, 6,775 involved a financial loss, with total reported losses of AUD 76.7 million, representing a 17 percent year-on-year decline.

AUSTRALIA 4 JUN

Iren plans 800 MW data centre campus in South Australia

Australian-based global Neocloud provider Iren has announced plans to develop an 800 MW data centre campus in Bundey, South Australia, after signing a transmission connection agreement to secure access to the electricity network. The project, located about 125 kilometres north-east of Adelaide, is the company's first announced Australian data centre development and is intended to support AI and cloud computing workloads across the Asia-Pacific region.

AUSTRALIA 4 JUN

Superloop raises FY26 EBITDA guidance and unveils three-year growth strategy

Australian operator Superloop has upgraded its financial guidance for the 2026 financial year and outlined a new three-year growth strategy at its 2026 Investor Day. The operator increased its FY26 underlying EBITDA guidance to between AUD 118 million and AUD 122 million, representing growth of 28 percent to 32 percent compared with FY25. Capex guidance was also raised to between AUD 34 million and AUD 37 million, excluding the renewal of an indefeasible right of use (IRU) agreement.

NEW ZEALAND 4 JUN

Sky NZ to air delayed free-to-air All Blacks tests on Three

Sky New Zealand has confirmed its broadcast plans for the 2026 All Blacks season, including delayed free-to-air coverage of the home Nations Championship Tests on Three, alongside live coverage on Sky Sport. The arrangement marks the first time All Blacks matches will be shown on Three since the broadcaster became part of Sky. Live coverage of all home Tests will remain on Sky Sport 1 and Sky Sport Now, with delayed broadcasts available on Three and ThreeNow. Matches will also be available on demand through

AUSTRALIA 3 JUN

Starlink becomes Australia's second-largest broadband network

Starlink became Australia's second-largest broadband network provider by services in December 2025, according to newly published Internet Activity data from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The satellite operator supplied 589,000 retail and wholesale broadband services at the end of December, up from 400,000 six months earlier. The total included 552,000 retail services, an increase of 177,000, and 37,000 wholesale services, up by 12,000.

AUSTRALIA 3 JUN

TPG Telecom warns of lock-in risks in Australia's universal mobile plan

TPG Telecom has warned that Australia's proposed Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO) could fail to deliver its intended outcomes unless policymakers address funding, regulatory and technology readiness concerns before legislation is finalised. Chief technology officer Giovanni Chiarelli said legislative timelines were advancing ahead of both technology and regulatory readiness, with no clarity on how UOMO would be funded.

AUSTRALIA 3 JUN

Solar project nears completion under Google, AirTrunk and European Energy agreement

Google, AirTrunk and European Energy Australia have announced that the 25 MW Mulwala Solar Farm in New South Wales is nearing completion and is preparing to begin supplying electricity to Australia's National Electricity Market. The project forms part of a corporate power purchase agreement announced by the three companies in 2023. According to the companies, the solar farm will add new generation capacity to the grid as demand for digital infrastructure, including cloud and AI-related services, continues t

AUSTRALIA 2 JUN

Google and Telstra expand partnership across terrestrial and subsea networks

Google and Telstra have announced a partnership aimed at strengthening Australia's digital infrastructure through the integration of terrestrial fibre and subsea cable networks. Under the agreement, Google will secure inter-city dark fibre capacity on Telstra's Aura Network, while Telstra will gain access to fibre pairs on Google's Tabua, Proa and Bulikula subsea cable systems through the company's Pacific Connect and Australia Connect initiatives.

Just In

15 JUN 15:06

Logix Fiber provides tech firm with Texas wavelength connectivity

15 JUN 15:06

U Mobile named official broadcast sponsor for FIFA World Cup 2026 on RTMKlik

15 JUN 15:01

EA launches new in-game advertising platform for brand partners

15 JUN 14:55

Kyivstar expands 'Chance' fixed broadband offer

Commentary

5 MEI 10:55

KPN: the art of making one-offs structural

4 MEI 14:25

Open Dutch Fiber outlook: time to restart roll-out?

20 APR 10:36

Netflix back to organic growth and doing just fine

11 FEB 12:29

Odido shareholders face tricky exit after abandoned IPO

Background

1 JUN 00:13

The week in telecom: EU telcos push sovereign services as governments question foreign tech investors

23 MEI 23:42

The week in telecom: Starlink ready to go public, Singapore telco M&A and Google courts AI subscribers at I/O

18 MEI 00:31

The week in telecom: US operators mount rural satellite challenge, Cisco cashes in on AI boom

11 MEI 00:53

The week in telecom: Lumen, NTT turn to data centre market to revive growth, Hutchison exits UK