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This week
IN THE NEWS: Consultation opens for Financial Hardship Standard, Improved Mobile Coverage recipients announced and more…
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In September this year, the Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, directed the ACMA to make a new industry standard to improve protections for consumers facing financial difficulty. The new standard will deal with the information to be provided and made available by telcos to customers, and the support provided by telcos to customers who are, or may be, experiencing financial hardship. The ACMA invites submissions on the draft Telecommunications (Financial Hardship) Industry Standard 2024 by 24 November. [ACMA]
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The Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, has announced a total of $37.2 million in Commonwealth funding has been awarded under the Improving Mobile Coverage Round (IMCR). The IMCR attracted $28.8 million in industry co-investment. The grants will build 41 new base stations to improve mobile coverage at 42 target locations. A full list of funded locations can be found here. [Minister Rowland]
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In further developments for improved mobile coverage, Optus has switched on new towers in Hill River South, Dongolocking North, and in Cunderdin North as part of the Australian Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program. [Optus]
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Chinese smartphone manufacturer Oppo has announced a second foldable device. The Find N3 will be released in Australia soon, following the global release in Singapore. The device will be offered at an RRP of $2,699. [IT Wire]
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Australians may soon have better phone coverage during natural disasters as the federal government explores national emergency mobile roaming capability. The government will scope a new emergency data roaming scheme amid growing concerns of a horrific bushfire season over the coming summer. The move comes following a report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission examining ways of improving regional mobile infrastructure. [ACCC]
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The Government has released the initial report of the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group (FNDIAG) that outlines positive steps towards narrowing the digital divide for First Nations Australians. The report recommends practical measures to support greater digital inclusion in line with Target 17 in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. It aims to ensure First Nations people have access to information and services that enable participation in decision-making on matters that affect their own lives. [Minister Burney]
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Telstra has expanded its Top-Up program to assist those who face food insecurity, mental health challenges, a disability or are refugees. The value of the top-up has also been increased from three $40 recharges expiring after 28 days, to one $160 recharge with 70GB of data to use over 6 months. [Telstra]
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The Future Skills Organisation and Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance (ADIA) have launched their Capability Paper, as the start of a campaign to uplift digital capability for all Australians. As a member of the ADIA, chaired by Infoxchange’s CEO David Spriggs, and convened by the paper’s co-author Ishtar Vij, ACCAN welcomes this initiative which highlights the importance of all people being able to develop the digital skills necessary for work, learning and life. [FSO]
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that Microsoft will invest $5 billion into Australia, with a focus on digital infrastructure. This is the largest investment from the tech giant during its four-decade presence in Australia. The investment aims to fortify the nation’s AI, cybersecurity and cloud capabilities as well as create employment opportunities. [Smart Company]
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NBN Co has achieved speeds of up to 20 gigabits per second (Gbps) in live network tests with Nokia over its fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network. [ARN]
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