Optus prepares to launch 5G-based fixed wireless 

Optus has successfully made a 5G data call on 60MHz of its 3.5GHz spectrum.The telco said the call, made from a site in the Canberra suburb of Dickson, used commercial 5G radio network and customer premises equipment (CPE) from Nokia. [Computerworld]

Telstra to have 5G handsets on market by June 

Australian consumers will be able to buy the first 5G-ready smartphones in Telstra stores by the end of June, after the telco giant revealed it had signed deals with "more than one" smartphone manufacturer to get exclusive access to their first 5G-ready handsets. [Australian Financial Review]

There is an app for that, but mobile phone blackspots are holding Australian farmers back 

Many farmers now use apps to control watering systems, monitor their crops and animals and even close gates, but mobile phone blackspots in regional areas are playing havoc with that technology. [ABC]

Vodafone looking at fixed wireless alternatives to NBN 

Vodafone Australia is exploring the possibility of using the spectrum acquired at last month's auction to provide fixed wireless broadband services that compete with the national broadband network. [Australian Financial Review]

ACCC controls the telco industry's fate in 2019 

James Fernyhough believes that the profitability of the telecommunications sector in 2019 will hinge on one thing above all others: the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's decision on the $15 billion TPG-Vodafone merger. [Australian Financial Review]

NBN Co finds FTTB/C users are its biggest advocates 

NBN Co’s fibre-to-the-basement (FTTB) and fibre-to-the-curb FTTC) users are the strongest advocates for the network, with around 7 in 10 recommending others join. [itnews] 

Dialling up deception: ‘Vishing’ scams prey on human trust 

'Vishing’, also known as voice phishing, is an attack where fraudsters use the telephone to misrepresent their affiliation or authority in the hope that the victim will reveal credentials or other personal information.The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) recently warned of a sophisticated phone scam, manipulating Australians for a reported $830,000 in November. The scam uses a method known as ID spoofing to make it appear as though the fraudsters are calling from a legitimate source. [Security Brief]

NBN Co gives itself until September to cut congested cell numbers 

NBN Co has given itself until September this year to bring the proportion of congested cells on its fixed wireless network down to less than one percent.[itnews]

Emergency Warning Network confirms breach 

Emergency Warning Network (EWN) has confirmed its systems were breached after an unauthorised alert was sent out to customers of the Australian-based service on Saturday night [ZDNet]

Although we take care to direct subscribers to sites with accurate and reliable content, we advise that ACCAN is not responsible for the content within external sites and has no control over the views, services or information contained therein. Information contained on external sites may not necessarily reflect ACCAN's policy, standards or beliefs.

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network's representation of residential and other consumers' interests in relation to telecommunications issues is made possible by funding provided by the Commonwealth of Australia under section 593 of the Telecommunications Act 1997. This funding is recovered from charges on telecommunications carriers.