Weekly Roundup: Key Updates from nbn Co and other news

Welcome to our weekly roundup, where we bring you the latest developments in the telecommunications industry in Australia. As an internet service provider today, we acknowledge the growing importance of robust infrastructure and reliable services for our customers across the nation. Here’s what’s been happening this week.

nbn Fixed Wireless Upgrade Program Completed for 800k Homes and Businesses

The $750 million nbn Fixed Wireless and Satellite Upgrade Program has officially concluded, enhancing broadband service for approximately 800,000 homes and businesses across regional and remote Australia. The upgrades involve substantial improvements to more than 2,300 towers, resulting in faster download speeds even during peak usage times. This initiative not only enhances everyday online activities such as streaming and browsing but also facilitates access to remote healthcare, remote working opportunities, and education.

An impressive benefit of this upgrade is the introduction of two new high-speed tier plans, which offer peak wholesale download speeds of up to five times faster than previously available options. More than 120,000 homes previously reliant on the nbn Sky Muster satellite service can now switch to the improved nbn Fixed Wireless service, promising better connectivity and experiences for customers in these regions. Read more.



NBN Co Delivers Solid Half-Year Results in Line with FY25 Guidance

NBN Co has reported total revenue of $2.87 billion for the first half of FY25, an increase of 4 percent from the corresponding period in FY24. Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 7 percent, reaching $2.12 billion. The company continues to perform well against its FY25 guidance, which aims for revenue between $5.7 billion and $5.9 billion.

The number of premises connected to the nbn network has surged to 8.62 million, with significant upgrades to 594,000 premises to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) as part of the Fibre Connect Program. This ongoing investment in digital infrastructure not only improves service quality but also supports the government's initiatives aimed at enhancing digital capabilities across Australia. Read more.

Telstra's CustData Portal Inaccessible for a Week

Telstra's CustData portal, crucial for enterprise and wholesale customers to manage their network settings and usage, experienced a significant outage, leaving it inaccessible for over a week. This downtime resulted from unplanned maintenance efforts, causing disruption as customers relied on alternate methods to lodge changes.

Telstra has reassured customers of ongoing support during the period, actively guiding them through alternative means for service adjustments until full access is restored. This incident highlights the critical need for effective communication and rapid response in managing service portals vital to customer functioning. Read more.

NBN Co's Fibre Upgrades Reach Record High

Recent reports indicate that NBN Co upgraded over 217,000 premises to full fibre in the last half of 2024, surpassing previous annual targets and emphasizing a shift towards fiber connectivity. This progress underscores a growing awareness among customers about available services, alongside initiatives aimed at transitioning homes from outdated copper lines to high-speed fibre connections.

The continued push for fibre upgrades is reflected in competitive offerings from retailers, with many customers opting for higher speed tiers even when not required. This trend is indicative of an increasing appetite for faster internet services, aligning with modern digital consumption needs in a connected economy. Read more.

TPG Telecom Recovers After Data Centre Outage

After a severe outage linked to both mains and backup power failure at one of its data centres in Sydney, TPG Telecom has restored services to most of its customers. The incident, exacerbated by a recent storm that caused localized flooding, affected users nationwide, especially in New South Wales and the ACT, highlighting the vulnerabilities of service providers to external environmental factors.

In response, TPG communicated with its customers through various channels, emphasizing proactive measures taken to ensure service restoration while addressing network stability concerns. This episode illustrates the importance of resilience and contingency planning in maintaining service continuity. Read more.

Stay tuned for more updates next week, as we continue to monitor the evolving landscape of telecommunications in Australia!