Latest news with #Telcos
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
ASX 200 ‘bounces around' on Monday amid Trump's ongoing tariff war
Sky News Business Reporter Edward Boyd says the local market dropped at the open today and then bounced around throughout the afternoon. 'Most sectors were in the red, led by energy stocks and utilities. Telcos and industrials lifted,' Mr Boyd said. The ASX 200 finished the day down 0.24 per cent on Monday.
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
ASX 200 ‘bounces around' on Monday amid Trump's ongoing tariff war
Sky News Business Reporter Edward Boyd says the local market dropped at the open today and then bounced around throughout the afternoon. 'Most sectors were in the red, led by energy stocks and utilities. Telcos and industrials lifted,' Mr Boyd said. The ASX 200 finished the day down 0.24 per cent on Monday.
Perth Now
14-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Telco complaints a symptom of cost-of-living crisis
Cash-strapped Australians fear being cut off from their phone and internet services as telcos refuse to support struggling customers, resulting in a spike in complaints. Reports to the telecommunications watchdog about financial hardship or repayment issues spiked by 71.9 per cent between January and March, compared to the same period in 2024. Despite complaints falling 8.2 per cent since the previous quarter, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman remains concerned. Telcos need to do more to make sure people get the support they need if they're struggling to keep on top of bills, ombudsman Cynthia Gebert said. "It's a stark reminder that the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact communities across Australia," she said. Recurring themes included companies refusing payment plans or extensions, offering unsuitable payment arrangements and service disconnection, suspension or restriction. Family violence and ongoing health issues rendered Parisa's (not her real name) bills unmanageable. She tried to work out a payment plan with her provider but the $200-per-month offer was unachievable. She told the ombudsman late fees continued to accumulate and she worried her services could be cut off. Telcos lack tailored support and repayment options for customers, the ombudsman said, suggesting disconnection should be a last resort. "People don't want to be in debt, but they need payment plans they can actually afford," Ms Gebert said. Australians lodged 15,385 complaints about their phone and internet services, marking a 0.6 per cent increase since the previous quarter and a drop of 2.1 per cent compared to the same period in 2024. Poor mobile coverage reports rose 25.3 per cent, with Telstra accounting for more than half of them, while about one in 10 complaints involved the recent 3G network shutdown. For Danny (not his real name), who lives in remote Australia prone to bushfires and flooding, the issue is one of life or death as he relies heavily on mobile service to contact emergency services and stay up to date with hazard information. He is increasingly worried about his family's safety due to ongoing problems with reliable mobile phone service, which means he can't contact emergency services when he has no connection. Small business complaints rose for the second quarter to 1767, up 6.9 per cent, with the most significant increases related to poor mobile coverage and intermittent service or dropouts. Persistent mobile and internet problems are seriously impacting small businesses' ability to provide good customer service and operate efficiently, Ms Gebert said. "It can impact their reputation, customer service and ability to trade - ultimately it affects people's livelihoods and ability to feed their families," she said. Inadequate fault testing, where issues were not fixed, had the largest increase in complaints - up 26.9 per cent. Complaints were up across the board except in Queensland, where they fell 6.6 per cent since the previous quarter. NSW had the highest number of reports with 4850, while Victoria had the highest complaints per 1000 people.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt tells telcos to stay alert, ensure uninterrupted connectivity amid India-Pakistan tensions
Amid rising India-Pakistan border tensions, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom operators to heighten preparedness and ensure seamless connectivity, especially in emergency operation centers. Telcos are instructed to maintain critical infrastructure functionality within 100 km of the border, keep adequate diesel reserves, and strategically deploy repair crews. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telcos to be vigilant, stay in a state of heightened preparedness and ensure unhindered connectivity, amid rising India-Pakistan border tensions 'In light of the evolving security situation and the critical need to maintain seamless communications for national security and effective disaster response, it's imperative to ensure uninterrupted telecom connectivity, particularly in emergency operations centres (EOCs) at both state and district levels,' the government, in an office memorandum, dated May 7, told telecom operators ET has seen a copy of the memo.A top executive of Big 3 telco said DoT had briefed all telecom carriers on the required communications network security drill at a meeting Wednesday. 'All SOPs are being followed and all security measures are in place. All telcos will work together in a coordinated manner and ensure uninterrupted telecom services as per the government OM,' he has specifically asked operators to maintain an updated list of critical telecoms infrastructure and installations in border districts and ensure their continued functionality during emergencies. 'Special emphasis may be paid to ensure uninterrupted working of mobile base stations (BTS) locations within 100 kms of the international border,' the DoT memorandum have also been told to keep adequate reserves of diesel for DG sets to generate unhindered power supply to telecoms infrastructure. They have been told to strategically deploy reserve teams, including repair crews with critical spares to enable fast restoration of telecom services in emergency press time, queries to Airtel , Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea (Vi) went DoT has also mandated operators to test their intra-circle roaming facilities and initiate requests to the DDG (disaster management) for activation of ICR as per the government has called on carriers to ensure all activities are carried out in strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOP) 2020 for telecom services in disaster scenarios.'You are requested to keep DoT headquarters informed through timely updates on preparedness activities and coordination status,' the office memo have also been told to facilitate coordination with state governments to ensure smooth logistical movement of telco teams during emergencies and to support efforts to safeguard critical telecoms infrastructure from potential threats. '
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Telcos oppose vendor model for metro 3 mobile network deployment
Mumbai: Telcos and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) have raised concerns over the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL)'s decision to use a vendor-led model for deploying mobile network infrastructure on the upcoming Metro Line 3 (Colaba–Bandra–Aarey). MMRCL has chosen to work with an Infrastructure Provider (IP-I), but telecom operators argue that this approach raises regulatory and consumer interest issues. The COAI, representing Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, claims that MMRCL's decision to allow an IP-I vendor to install active telecom infrastructure violates the Telecommunication Act, 2023. This act reserves such rights for licensed telecom operators only. The COAI stated that all three operators offered to install a common In-Building Solution (IBS) network across the underground corridor at their own expense, ensuring seamless connectivity for commuters without any financial burden on MMRCL. However, MMRCL rejected this proposal and selected a vendor through an internal tendering process, denying the telcos Right of Way (RoW) permissions. An MMRCL spokesperson explained that the intent was to provide cellular connectivity in the underground metro system to all passengers. MMRCL invited bids to set up neutral/common infrastructure that any telco could use, aligning with best practices followed by other large-scale infrastructure projects like airports and metro rails across India. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Deals Undo The spokesperson said MMRCL conducted an open tender process to onboard a neutral infrastructure provider. The telcos provided letters of support to the participating bidders, endorsing the tender process. The selected neutral infrastructure provider has the requisite license to lay and operate the infrastructure, which they have already implemented. The spokesperson added that any allegations of illegalities in the process are baseless. However, the COAI has argued that this vendor-driven model prioritises commercial interests over commuter convenience and undermines the principle of fair, non-discriminatory access to public infrastructure guaranteed under telecom law. The statement clarified that no telecom operator has signed any agreement with the selected vendor, despite contrary claims in some media reports. Telcos also highlighted that they do not earn revenue from IBS deployments but were willing to bear the cost in the public interest. A senior official from one of the service providers noted that similar models have been implemented in high-security zones like Pragati Maidan and Central Vista, where telecom operators laid the network without paying any fees.
