Here are a few I have come across the last week or so. Note: Each link is followed by a title and a few paragraphs. For the full article click on the link above title of the article. Note also that full access to some links may require site registration or subscription payment.
General Comment
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Lots of stuff this week. The first article is a good read in moving GPs to the cloud.
Enjoy!
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https://www.ausdoc.com.au/practice/idiots-guide-what-happens-when-gps-patient-records-are-cloud
An idiot's guide: What happens when a GP's patient records are in the cloud?
Is it secure, is it safe, is it worthwhile and what is the cloud anyway?
31st March 2022
By Paul Smith
GP prescribing software is about to go through another revolution in the next few years. It's the shift to the cloud.
One consequence is that patient records won't have to be physically stored on hardware located in the practice, but on servers located in remote data centres.
Given the precious nature of patient information, the very concept can raise big questions in the minds of many GPs.
So, Australian Doctor spoke to Dominique Powis, chief technology officer at MedicalDirector, about what the cloud is, how it works and the future.
Australian Doctor: Could you briefly explain what the 'cloud' is in the context of GP practice software?
Dominique Powis: When practices host their data in the cloud, it means that their email, applications and software are accessible online, using a secure login and available at any time.
Information in the cloud is stored and managed by cloud providers like Microsoft or Amazon, to name a few. These companies provide secure, reliable and available infrastructure. The idea is that you don’t have to.
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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/all-the-tech-in-the-2022-federal-budget-578039
All the tech in the 2022 federal budget
By Justin Hendry on Mar 29, 2022 8:55PM
Budget 2022: Winners revealed.
Government agencies have scored big in a budget otherwise focused on reducing cost of living pressures ahead of the federal election, with significant funding flowing to a range of new and existing technology projects.
The centrepiece is a $9.9 billion investment in Australia’s offensive and defensive cyber security capabilities, which the government described as the “largest ever investment in Australia’s intelligence and cyber capabilities”.
The funding will see the Australian Signals Directorate more than double in size, with 1900 extra data analysts, programmers, engineers and other experts expected to join the cyber spy agency in time.
In response to the 2021 regional telecommunications review, the government will also provide $1.3 billion over six years to improve telecommunications in regional and rural areas.
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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/virtual-care-strategy-heralds-it-revamp-for-nsw-health-577373
Virtual care strategy heralds IT revamp for NSW Health
By Richard Chirgwin on Mar 28, 2022 6:48AM
New processes and systems likely to be required.
The launch of a five-year virtual care strategy by NSW Health is likely to lead to wide-ranging changes to the organisation’s IT, iTnews has learned.
A NSW Health spokesperson said the strategy is likely to need new processes and technology to underpin an expanded suite of virtual care offerings.
Health authorities around the country have been paying more attention to virtual care needs since the emergence of Covid-19.
NSW Health said the pandemic has led to a significant increase in technologies such as remote monitoring and virtual clinical consultations, and that it now "wants to build on this strong momentum”.
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Cost benefits and care advances could be lost by poor 5G take-up in Australia, new report says
Fast, reliable and high capacity 5G mobile networks can deliver improved remote care and data analytics in Australia, but only a third of health businesses are harnessing the technology.
By Lynne Minion
March 28, 2022 03:34 AM
Healthcare could benefit as much as $31 billion over the next eight years from 5G mobile technology but poor industry adoption places the potential gains at risk, according to a new report by Deloitte Access Economics.
"5G Unleashed: Realising the potential of the next generation of mobile technology", commissioned by the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), found that only 30 per cent of healthcare businesses are 5G connected, despite the advantages it provides in productivity, data analytics and improved care in rural and remote areas.
WHY IT MATTERS
"It’s clear there are significant economic benefits to be gained from the adoption of 5G across industry," AMTA CEO Louise Hyland told Healthcare IT News.
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https://www.miragenews.com/dont-fall-for-weight-loss-scam-using-my-health-753193/
29 Mar 2022 4:16 pm AEDT
Don’t fall for weight loss scam using My Health Record logo
Australian Digital Health Agency
The Australian Digital Health Agency is warning consumers not to fall for a weight loss scam running via Facebook spruiking a miracle cure and using the My Health Record logo.
The ads suggest people can lose 45 kilograms with one teaspoon of the product, a so-called supplement.
Chief Clinical Adviser Dr Steve Hambleton said the scammers had misused the Agency’s My Health Record logo in the ads.
“This is a nonsense,” he said.
“Government agencies don’t lend their logos to companies and My Health Record is a trusted brand, hence our warning.”
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Media releases • Cyber security
Don’t fall for weight loss scam using My Health Record logo
Published 29 March 2022
The Australian Digital Health Agency is warning consumers not to fall for a weight loss scam running via Facebook spruiking a miracle cure and using the My Health Record logo.
The ads suggest people can lose 45 kilograms with one teaspoon of the product, a so-called supplement.
Chief Clinical Adviser Dr Steve Hambleton said the scammers had misused the Agency’s My Health Record logo in the ads.
“This is a nonsense,” he said.
“Government agencies don’t lend their logos to companies and My Health Record is a trusted brand, hence our warning.”
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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/medicare-payment-system-upgrade-gets-big-funding-boost-578037
Medicare payment system upgrade gets big funding boost
By Justin Hendry on Mar 29, 2022 8:30PM
Budget 2022: Services Australia scores millions.
Services Australia has secured additional funds in the 2022-23 budget to continue its upgrade of the critical payments systems that support the day-to-day operation of Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Budget papers reveal an additional $96.8 million for phase three of the government’s health delivery modernisation program, which has been progressively modernising health and aged care payments systems since 2016.
Hundreds of millions of dollars have flowed towards the uplift in that time, which rapidly altered course when the government ditched its planned procurement of a new Medicare payments system in 2018.
The new funding – which will be provided over a period of four years, with additional funding at the conclusion – will be used to “reduce manual processing and improve claim timeframes for patients and medical providers”.
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Insurance crisis over IT attacks: cybersecurity policy exclusions on way, industry warns
2:09AM March 28, 2022
Insurance coverage for businesses hit by a cybersecurity breach is becoming more expensive and harder to find, senior industry figures have warned.
Businesses take out cyber coverage to cover the costs of a hack or cyber attack, including identifying the cause and recovering from the intrusion.
Insurers writing cover for cyber attacks face an expanding market that is expected to double or triple from current levels of $US5bn in premiums each year, coupled with the rapidly escalating costs of each attack.
Marsh, a key insurance broker for some of Australia’s largest businesses, warns that the Russia-Ukraine conflict could spill over into cyber attacks in other countries.
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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/victoria-police-poaches-long-time-health-cio-578175
Victoria Police poaches long-time health CIO
By Justin Hendry on Apr 1, 2022 12:05PM
As new digital chief.
Victorian Department of Health chief information officer Steve Hodgkinson will call time on a seven-year career to move to Victoria Police.
Hodgkinson took to LinkedIn on Thursday to announce he would join the force on April 11 as its new chief digital officer.
He replaces former Victoria Police CDO Bret Giles, who left Australia’s second largest police force after five years in late 2021.
“After seven years as CIO in Victoria's health and human services departments I am moving on to become the CDO at Victoria Police,” he said.
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https://nwmphn.org.au/news/clinical-information-system-my-health-record-qa-sessions/
Clinical information system My Health Record Q&A sessions
31 March 2022
These 30 minute sessions are aimed at GPs, specialists, practice managers, practice nurses and Aboriginal health workers interested in learning more about My Health Record and how to use it most effectively in routine practice.
Using a software simulation platform the instructor will answer questions or demonstrate available features of My Health Record using the stated clinical information system. Use the links below to find the right session for you:
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For Consultant Pharmacists - Learn how to use My Health Record in the National Provider Portal
Date: Apr 6, 2022 19:30:00
Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA)
7:30pm AEST
The Australian Digital Health Agency is hosting a webinar for
independent consultant pharmacists interested in learning how to use My Health
Record. The presenter will use a simulator training environment to demonstrate
the core features of My Health Record in the National Provider Portal.
Join the session to learn which documents directly apply to your practice and
how you can save time searching for information by accessing the correct areas
of My Health Record within the portal. We will demonstrate how to find summary
documents, medicines information, immunisations, pathology reports and others.
There will be an opportunity for Q+A at the end of the session and a recording
will be provided to all registrants.
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https://nwmphn.org.au/news/my-health-record-virtual-classroom-sessions/
31 March 2022
Australian Digital Health Agency
The Australian Digital Health Agency’s virtual classroom schedule has been updated through to April 2022.
My Health Record sessions for Best Practice, MedicalDirector and Zedmed users
These one-hour sessions are aimed at GPs, specialists, practice managers, practice nurses and Aboriginal health workers interested in learning more about My Health Record and how to use it most effectively in routine practice. Using a software simulation platform, the instructor will demonstrate how to:
- access your patients’ My Health Records in your software;
- use filters to find documents;
- view documents and overviews;
- understand how to view immunisation history in My Health Record
- enter access codes for patients with protected documents/records;
- upload documents to My Health Record; and
- ensure appropriate security and access governance mechanisms are in place.
Use the following links to register:
This education is CPD accredited by AAPM, RACGP, ACRRM and NAATSIWHP.
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https://www.miragenews.com/help-is-at-hand-information-for-those-flooded-754257/
30 Mar 2022 3:46 pm AEDT
Help is at hand Information for those flooded, stranded – My Health Record, Electronic Prescriptions and Telehealth can help
Australian Digital Health Agency
The Australian Digital Health Agency is advising flood affected people about how digital health can help them during current flooding events.
Medication Information is available – If you’ve been affected by the recent floods and can’t access your medicines or medication information, if your medicines have been destroyed, electronic prescriptions and telehealth appointments offer a good solution.
Telehealth appointments, either phone or video calls, are an excellent alternative to attending in person.
Electronic prescriptions can be sent immediately via text message or email.
People can forward their electronic prescription to a carer or direct to their local pharmacy or even use a consumer medication management app to request new medications.
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Media releases • Electronic prescriptions
Help is at hand Information for those flooded, stranded - My Health Record, Electronic Prescriptions and Telehealth can help
Published 30 March 2022
The Australian Digital Health Agency is advising flood affected people about how digital health can help them during current flooding events.
Medication Information is available - If you’ve been affected by the recent floods and can't access your medicines or medication information, if your medicines have been destroyed, electronic prescriptions and telehealth appointments offer a good solution.
Telehealth appointments, either phone or video calls, are an excellent alternative to attending in person.
Electronic prescriptions can be sent immediately via text message or email.
People can forward their electronic prescription to a carer or direct to their local pharmacy or even use a consumer medication management app to request new medications.
If you can’t get to your usual pharmacy, another pharmacist with your permission can use the information in My Health Record to help you get what you need.
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https://www.hinz.org.nz/news/600481/Dunedin-develops-online-surgical-care-plans.htm
Dunedin develops online surgical care plans
Monday, 28 March 2022
NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth
Dunedin Hospital and
Otago University have developed online care plans in collaboration with SHI
Global to help improve patient outcomes after surgery.
John Woodfield, colorectal surgeon at Dunedin Hospital and senior lecturer at
Otago University, presented on the project as part of HiNZ’s Digital Health
Conference in March 2022.
He said the aims of developing the Go Well Health Surgical Carepacs is to
provide better information and opportunity for patients to engage in their
medical care, in order to reduce complications of surgery, help patients
recover more quickly and improve patient satisfaction.
A review of 500 patients discharged from Dunedin Hospital found 45 percent
developed a postoperative problem.
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Roundup: The Clinician, Alimetry win Medtronic APAC Innovation Challenge, NZHIT rebrands to Digital Health Association
Also, Dunedin Hospital has developed online care plans using SHI Global's Go Well Health platform.
By Adam Ang
April 01, 2022 03:39 AM
The Clinician, Alimetry win first Medtronic APAC Innovation Challenge
New Zealand-based digital health companies The Clinician and Alimetry are among the five winners of the inaugural Medtronic APAC Innovation Challenge.
MAIC was launched last year in October as an extension of the Medtronic Open Innovation Platform. It has received over 300 applications from 46 countries, of which 10 companies were shortlisted to compete in a virtual final challenge.
The five winners, who were revealed on 16 March at a conference held in Singapore, will have the chance to collaborate with the Irish medical device firm to jointly market products and run commercial pilots for their proposed medical technology or digital health product solutions worth up to $200,000.
"MAIC provides a unique opportunity for ANZ innovators like Alimetry and The Clinician to tap into Medtronic’s reach in APAC," said Medtronic Australasia VP and Managing Director Liz Carnabuci.
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https://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/technology/telstra-health-launches-carekeeper-app/
by Australian Ageing Agenda March 30, 2022
Posted in Technology
Telstra Health launches CareKeeper
Telstra Health has launched a new app this week that allows residential aged care staff to document at the point of care in real-time using a mobile device and icon-based interface.
The app, CareKeeper, is integrated with Telstra Health’s Clinical Manager software to enable one source of truth and allow providers to maintain unique chart types.
The icon-based design aims to reduce the burden of written documentation and language barriers for personal care workers.
Telstra Health’s head of aged and disability, Michael Donnelly, said CareKeeper allowed staff to document quickly at the point of care so they could spend more time creating a positive environment for residents.
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https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/anz/telstra-health-launches-residential-aged-care-app
Telstra Health launches residential aged care app
CareKeeper enables staff to view, capture, and document care by a resident's side in real-time.
By Adam Ang
March 30, 2022 10:09 pm
Digital health company Telstra Health has unveiled its latest mobile app for residential aged care.
According to a press statement, the CareKeeper app enables staff to view, capture, and document care by a resident's side in real-time through a mobile device.
It is integrated with Telstra Health's Clinical Manager software so providers can have one source of truth, reduce data duplication, and maintain their unique chart types.
The app is hosted on the Microsoft Azure cloud and features security capabilities like role-based access, unique log-in credentials, and automatic log out.
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Southern DHB taps Inde Technology to co-design New Zealand's first digital hospital
The IT specialist will focus on enabling digital technology integrations in the hospital.
By Adam Ang
March 31, 2022 04:23 AM
The Southern District Health Board has appointed IT specialist Inde Technology to the consortium designing the Dunedin Hospital, the first digital hospital in New Zealand.
It will be collaborating with three other partners – civil engineering consultancy WSP, smart building specialist Torque IP and property developer Lendlease – for the hospital's initial design phase.
According to a media release, Inde will focus on enabling the integration of various digital technologies, including those for managing inpatient and outpatient flow, IT network design, cloud infrastructure, telephony, audio-visual design, as well as real-time digital location and wayfinding technologies.
In particular, Inde will be incorporating wayfinding technology which uses patients' smartphones to communicate with the building's systems via a geolocation app. It can connect with a digital signage platform to guide people directly to their destinations within the site.
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Brisbane hospital introduces radiation protection technology
Wednesday, 30 March, 2022
Metro North Health’s The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) has introduced new radiation protection technology to safeguard cardiologists from potentially harmful radiation while performing lifesaving procedures.
The Rampart radiation protection technology, brought to Australia by Wilhelm Integrated Solutions Cardiologists, has been installed into the hospital’s cardiac catheter laboratory where interventional cardiologists perform around 4000 procedures each year, including approximately 1000 percutaneous coronary interventions.
This is the first time Rampart is said to have been introduced into a facility for full-time use in Australia and is the first installation outside of the USA.
Rampart is claimed to provide clinicians with greater radiation protection, allowing them to perform complex procedures safely without the need to wear lead aprons.
Prince Charles Hospital Interventional Cardiologist Dr Rustem Dautov, who has worked collaboratively with Metro North Health to introduce the technology after seeing US interventionalist Dr Stéphane Rinfret using the technology, is excited about what the new the technology will mean for clinical practice at TPCH.
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Friday, 25 March 2022 15:19
Australia ranks number one in Asia Pacific for most ransomware attacks
By Staff Writer
Australia ranks number one in Asia Pacific for most ransomware attacks, and seventh globally according to new research which reveals that 37% of all attacks on Australian organisations targeted the commercial and professional services sector.
The research released from Unit 42 by global cybersecurity leader. Palo Alto Networks also found that ransomware payments hit new records in 2021 as cybercriminals increasingly turned to Dark Web “leak sites” where they pressured victims to pay up by threatening to release sensitive data.
In Australia the research also found that 2021 saw a 642% increase in dark web leaks on the prior year and 38% of all attacks targeted organisations in NSW; ACT the least targeted geography.
The average ransom demand in cases worked by the Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 security consultants rose 144% in 2021 to US$2.2 million, while the average payment climbed 78% to US$541,010, according to the 2022 Unit 42 Ransomware Threat Report.
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https://marketplace.service.gov.au/2/digital-marketplace/opportunities/20315
Australian Digital Health Agency
DH4207 Technical Business Analyst
Opportunity Type ICT Labour Hire
Opportunity ID 20315
Deadline for asking questions Wednesday 30 March 2022 at 6pm (in Canberra)
Application closing date Thursday 31 March 2022 at 6pm (in Canberra)
Published Monday 28 March 2022
Category Agile delivery and Governance
Additional terms Comprehensive terms apply
Overview
Agency business analysts deliver MHR product changes in line with the vision and strategic direction of the portfolio by developing and documenting requirements from key stakeholders, in conjunction with product owners. They are a conduit between the business units, internal, external stakeholders and solutions delivery teams gain clear understanding of the problem to solve, create solution requirements that meet the needs of the user and drive delivery of the solution through the full Solution Delivery Life Cycle. Technical Business Analyst is expected to take a leadership role and ownership of the solution, problem solve, anticipate and manage issues that might require escalation. Technical business analysts liaise with key stakeholders across the organisation to develop a solid understanding of how the business is currently operating, future goals of the business to ensure solution meets the expected outcomes and how current and software applications and technologies work to support this outcome. They will also liaise with other government agencies and industry partners to understand dependencies and develop complex technical integrated solutions. In cooperation with Product Owners, they help apply these insights to tactical and strategic decisions that manifest change and ensure delivery. They work closely within the Product team which is made up of Product Director, Product Owner, Solution Architect’s and several BA’s. The team works closely with the Design team to deliver user-centric solution with the UX that will delight the user. The team also works closely with DPO (Delivery Management Office) and RMO (Release Management Office) to ensure projects are delivered in line with delivery and release governance frameworks. They will complete briefing for governance forums, including Executive Leadership Team to elicit direction or decisions required to complete the delivery of the solution.
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https://www.digitalhealth.gov.au/careers/multiple-aps6-positions-in-technology-operations
Multiple APS6 Positions in Technology Operations
APS6
($101,757 - $114,800)
Technology
Services Division > Info/Comm Tech (ICT)
Brisbane,
Canberra, Sydney
Closing - 18 Apr 2022
Division Overview
Technology services – responsible for the operation of high quality, trusted, reliable and secure national digital health infrastructure and health support systems.
Primary purpose of position
Multiple APS6 opportunities are available in the Technology Service Division:
APS6 System and Conformance Analyst
Reporting to the Director Operational Performance, the role has responsibility for performance, monitoring and overseeing clinical conformance, clinical documentation uploads, transactions and other system monitoring. The APS6 System and Conformance Analyst will have strong stakeholder engagement skills and will be responsible for working with key internal and external stakeholders to understand and resolve complex and sensitive issues. The responsibilities will also include:
- Providing expertise and IT technical knowledge in the Agency’s ITIL and operations management framework including the provision of accurate and specialised advice.
- Monitoring of Performance, system capacity and SLA monitoring of legacy and cloud-based infrastructure and services for all Agency products.
- Undertaking reporting activities including statistical trend analysis and building dashboards.
- Performing data analysis, data audits, statistical trend analysis to identify trends and issues with web service transactions and/or clinical document uploads.
- Obtaining and applying an appropriate level of technical knowledge of the My Health Record system and other systems connecting to the National Digital Health Infrastructure.
- Contributing to subject matter expertise in resolving complex vendor, conformance and system incidents and problems that cause performance degradation or prevents interactions with the My Health Record and other systems using or relying on National Digital Health Infrastructure.
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https://medicalrepublic.com.au/telstra-health-appoints-head-of-1800respect/65157
28 March 2022
Telstra Health Appoints Head of 1800RESPECT
Sponsored
Telstra Health is proud to announce the appointment of Dr Jennifer Beer as the new Head of 1800RESPECT.
Jen is uniquely placed to lead 1800RESPECT during this important time of change. Jen is a proud Darlot woman from Western Australia and has held leadership roles supporting vulnerable communities to access services through technology, overseen the operation of call centres at scale, held leadership roles in not-for-profit organisations – including supporting Indigenous women in business – as well as other senior strategy, transformation and customer experience roles.
Jen joins Telstra Health from NBN Co where she has been leading the organisation’s regional and remote strategies for both the health and education portfolios.
Telstra Health Managing Director, Professor Mary Foley AM said, “Jen Beer’s appointment reflects the consultative and collaborative approach Telstra Health intends to bring to working with the sector to achieve a shared goal of eliminating violence and harassment in all settings.”
“Throughout her career Jen has been drawn towards social impact roles that seek to make a genuine difference, and we are proud she has chosen Telstra Health for her next role”, Professor Foley said.
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https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/telstra-ceo-andy-penn-to-step-down-20220330-p5a985.html
Telstra CEO Andy Penn to step down
By Zoe Samios
Updated March 30, 2022 — 9.13amfirst published at 8.02am
Telstra boss Andy Penn will retire after more than seven years at the helm, marking the end to a tenure that saw the telco giant dramatically cut costs, staff and grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
The $46.2 billion telco giant announced its chief financial officer Vicki Brady as his successor, who will take over as the company prepares to implement its new strategy, known as T25.
Telstra chairman John Mullen said Mr Penn had led the company during a period of “significant change”.
“In recent years, not only has Andy ensured the successful delivery of our T22 commitments, he has provided leadership at what has truly been an extraordinary time as we have navigated both as a company and a nation through the challenges of the pandemic,” Mr Mullen said.
Mr Penn joined Telstra in 2012 as chief financial officer and has been chief executive since 2015. He led the company through a period of radical change. Mr Penn’s T22 strategy cut 8000 jobs from the business and took out $3 billion in costs. His T25 strategy, announced last year, will include a further $500 million in cost cuts by 2025.
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NBN Co gets 250 orders in first week of FTTN-P upgrades being offered
By Ry Crozier on Apr 1, 2022 11:19AM
Confirms it will stick to caretaker conventions during election period.
NBN Co said it had received 250 orders that will trigger upgrades from fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) to fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) in the first week of the ‘N2P’ upgrade program being live.
The network operator opened the long-awaited program on March 22 and named an initial set of retail service providers (RSPs) that users could place orders with.
To qualify for a full-fibre connection, users must order a higher-speed plan than they have today of at least 100Mbps, and keep it for at least a year.
Chief customer officer Brad Whitcomb told a budget estimates hearing on Thursday night that the pool of eligible premises so far is 53,000, with a total of 350 orders placed.
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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/gov-puts-low-income-broadband-issue-back-on-nbn-co-578113
Gov puts low-income broadband issue back on NBN Co
By Ry Crozier on Mar 31, 2022 12:25PM
In response to regional telco review.
A multi-year lobbying effort for a subsidised NBN service for low-income households hit a fresh hurdle overnight with the government saying the issue is ultimately one for NBN Co to sort out, though it would try to assist.
The attribution means that neither the government nor NBN Co agree who is responsible for broadband affordability, and who should foot the bill to resolve it.
Discussions on a specific low-income NBN service have been underway since 2019, a time when NBN Co’s constant pursuit of revenue increases brought the issue of broadband affordability into focus.
But the issue has been constantly handballed between the different sides, and progressed through multiple regulatory and pricing reviews since with no outcome.
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Wednesday, 30 March 2022 14:42
No matter who wins election, NBN changes will remain: Budde
By Sam Varghese
The NBN holds a unique position in the Federal Budget – no matter who is voted to power in the forthcoming Federal Election, the short-term changes proposed will remain, independent telecommunications analyst Paul Budde says.
He said the Opposition had said it would match the government's promises or even better them, and this meant both major parties agreed on the need to upgrade services in regional and rural areas.
"The budget has been characterised as a political budget that mainly consists of short-term policies and handouts, while what is needed are strategic long term policies," he said in his analysis of the budget that was handed down on Tuesday night.
"Where is the national long-term vision for the country, linked with appropriate long-term policies? This applies across all areas of the budget: wages, cost of living, infrastructure, energy, climate change and yes, of course, the NBN."
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Tuesday, 29 March 2022 10:29
Fibre upgrades for around 40,000 eligible homes and businesses in Victoria
NBN Co and the Victorian Government announced the second stage of a co-investment agreement, which will see fibre built deeper into more parts of metropolitan and regional Victoria.
This will enable around 40,000 additional eligible homes and businesses that access the NBN network via Fibre to the Node (FTTN) in 50 suburbs and towns across Victoria to upgrade to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP).
It comes as NBN Co says it is on track to enable up to 8 million premises across Australia the ability to access NBN Home Ultrafast, which offers wholesale download speeds of close to 1 Gbps, by the end of next year.
NBN advised that to trigger a full fibre upgrade, eligible customers will need to place an order with a participating retailer for a plan based on an eligible wholesale speed tier. These include NBN’s three highest speed tiers: NBN Home Fast, which offers wholesale download speeds of up to 100 Mbps; NBN Home Superfast, which offers wholesale download speeds of up to 250 Mbps, or NBN Home Ultrafast (FTTP), which offers wholesale download speeds of close to 1 Gbps.
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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/tpg-telecom-refutes-optus-complaint-over-telstra-tie-up-577952
TPG Telecom refutes Optus complaint over Telstra tie-up
By Richard Chirgwin on Mar 28, 2022 12:15PM
Says deal will result in more competition, not less.
TPG Telecom has responded to a call made by Optus for the ACCC to block a proposed infrastructure-sharing deal with Telstra.
Last week, Optus aired concerns about the landmark February deal between TPG Telecom and Telstra.
The deal will see TPG decommission more than 700 of its own mobile towers in regional Australia, instead using Telstra’s infrastructure to expand its reach to more than 3700 locations.
Optus accused TPG of "waving the white flag on regional Australia" and said the deal also "creates the prospect of a regional 5G [infrastructure] monopoly".
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Labor wants to tackle Sky Muster satellite beam congestion
By Ry Crozier on Mar 28, 2022 1:07PM
Backs cash injection to upgrade NBN wireless network.
Labor wants to work with NBN Co on the feasibility of reducing congestion on some “clogged-up” satellite beams, with a view to increasing data allowances for Sky Muster users.
The party said in a statement that it will “work with NBN Co to examine the feasibility of reducing congestion on its seven most clogged-up satellite beams.”
“If achieved, this would allow data allowances of at least 100 gigabytes per month,” Labor said.
iTnews understands that the action and offer is based on a view that capacity constraints on a seven beams are limiting the performance of the remaining 94 satellite beams, curtailing any ambitions NBN Co might have to give remote and regional satellite users a higher data allowance.
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Monday, 28 March 2022 10:32
Aussie Broadband to take-up NBN’s new fibre upgrade scheme
Aussie Broadband has announced that it will participate in NBN’s new Fibre Connect program, which offers upgrades from fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) or fibre-to-the-curb (FTTC) technologies to full fibre for eligible customers.
Aussie Broadband said the initial tranche will focus on FTTN customers, with FTTC premises being introduced into the program in May.
Managing Director Phillip Britt said this is good news for customers, RSPs and the industry.
“We’ve been taking part in trials over the past few months, and we’re keen to participate in NBN’s new fibre upgrade scheme.
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Enjoy!
David.
