Here’s where we round up all the Aussie news around the ‘net about the ‘net, every week. Check in here for a quick primer on everything from piracy to privacy to data retention and the NBN.
Internet image via Shutterstock
This week:
‘Deploy Fibre’: Internet Australia Backs FTTP At NBN Senate Enquiry
In the past Internet Australia (IA) has called for fast, ubiquitous broadband without publicly favouring a technological solution. Based on new fibre costings and backed by a survey of its members IA has now called for a re-assessment of the Government’s MTM model.
“Deploy fibre” was the short answer from Internet Australia’s vice-chair, Dr Paul Brooks, when asked what the government should do with the National Broadband Network at a Senate inquiry on Friday.
The not-for-profit peak body representing Internet users was among a number of expert groups and individuals that gave evidence at the inquiry held in Canberra.
You Can Now Get A New Phone One Year Into Your Optus Plan
Telstra’s “New Phone Feeling” plan has a competitior, with Optus announcing its new option for customers to get a new phone after 12 months. The postpaid “My Plan Plus” plan is available from today.
There are a couple of options for getting your hands on a new phone with Optus’ deal. You can swap your current (good working order) handset for a new one on a new 24 month plan — and pay a $99 fee. Or, you can keep your current handset by paying it off in full. The same deal applies for tablets on the $30 and above 24 month “My Mobile Broadband Plus” plan.
The Netflix Mobile App Will Use Less Data (Soon)
Netflix makes constant iterative changes to its movie and TV streaming platform. Some of those are small, and some are major; most don’t make a huge difference to the way you watch videos though. A small change that might do exactly that for mobile users is on the way, though — a data saver option that doesn’t go all-out on video quality, in order to save your previous mobile data.
Talking to Gizmodo at MWC 2016, Netflix’s innovation team detailed a number of small but significant changes it has made in the year since Netflix launched — the way the home screen has evolved on smart TVs and web browsers, for one, shifting from a flat grid to large images and even video clips.
Vaya Is Offering 7GB Of Data For $34
Less than two months ago Amaysim bought out fellow Australian low-cost mobile service provider, Vaya. Last week Amaysim announced its 9GB plan for less than $50, and this week sees Vaya reveal its own new and improved plans.
A bunch of price drops and data increases on existing plans are effective midday (AEST) on 7 March, and a few new plans have been added to the fold — including a new $34 plan that includes 7GB of data.
Serious Android Malware Is Targeting Aussie Banking Apps
Most of Australia’s major banks are being targeted by some potentially catastrophic malware on customers’ Android smartphones. Android/Spy.Agent.SI, as it’s been named, locks users’ phones when they open a banking app, redirecting them to a phishing server masquerading as the bank’s official site.
Business Insider reports the research from ESET says that Android/Spy.Agent.SI is targeting major banks within Australia. Westpac, Bendigo Bank, Commonwealth Bank, St. George Bank, National Australia Bank, Bankwest, Me Bank and ANZ Bank are all listed as under threat.