TELECOMMUNICATIONS – AUSTRALIA

iiNet says Netflix surge calls for NBN price cut

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Original article by David Ramli
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 37 : 6-Jul-15

Australian-listed iiNet has increased its network capacity after customers complained of slower internet speeds due to the popularity of Netflix. However, CEO David Buckingham says prices for accessing the national broadband network will need to be significantly reduced to take into account the use of video streaming services. He adds that such services may not be affordable for many consumers when the NBN rollout is complete unless the issue is addressed.

CORPORATES
IINET LIMITED – ASX IIN, SINGTEL OPTUS PTY LTD, NETFLIX INCORPORATED, SUPERLOOP LIMITED – ASX SLC, TPG TELECOM LIMITED – ASX TPM, DODO INTERNET PTY LTD, EXETEL PTY LTD, TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, NBN CO LIMITED

Feeling ill? Take photos and call Dr Snapchat

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Original article by David Ramli
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 23 : 3-Jul-15

Telstra has launched a telemedicine service called ReadyCare in partnership with Switzerland-based Medgate. Consumers with health issues will be able to consult a GP via video link or mobile phone for a $A76 fee. ReadyCare is aimed at treating people with infectious diseases in their own home rather than having them visit a GP.

CORPORATES
TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, MEDGATE AG, TELSTRA READYCARE

Regulator close to call on NBN cable network deal

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Original article by David Ramli
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 15 : 29-Jun-15

On 23 June 2015, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) approved a deal for Telstra to lease its telecommunications infrastructure to NBN. The ACCC is yet to rule on a deal for NBN to buy the hybrid-fibre coaxial network of Singtel Optus for $A800m. This deal would significantly speed-up the roll-out of the national broadband network. The ACCC expects to issue a draft ruling on the Optus deal in July.

CORPORATES
TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, NBN CO LIMITED, SINGTEL OPTUS PTY LTD, AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF COMMUNICATIONS

Amcom, Vocus beat TPG to win merger vote

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Original article by David Ramli
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 8 : 16-Jun-15

TPG Telecom’s ploy to block a merger between Amcom Telecommunications and Vocus Communications by building a 19.9 per cent stake in the former has failed. The $A1.2bn deal was endorsed by Amcom shareholders on 15 June 2015, with more than 90 per cent of proxy votes backing the deal. Vocus CEO James Spenceley notes that more than 97 per cent of shareholders turned out to vote on the merger. TPG will emerge with a stake of about nine per cent in the merged entity.

CORPORATES
TPG TELECOM LIMITED – ASX TPM, AMCOM TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED – ASX AMM, VOCUS COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED – ASX VOC, TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, SINGTEL OPTUS PTY LTD

Fundies say $400m price tag too high for Amaysim

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Original article by David Ramli
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 15 : 15-Jun-15

Analysts value mobile telephone services reseller Amaysim at between $A367m and $A483m. The private equity owners of Amaysim are believed to be looking at a valuation of about $A400m for a proposed IPO. Amaysim currently boasts about 716,000 mobile phone subscribers and forecasts that its customer base will top one million by fiscal 2019. However, the telco is facing competition from Australia’s three mobile network owners.

CORPORATES
AMAYSIM AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, SINGTEL OPTUS PTY LTD, TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, VODAFONE HUTCHISON AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, NETFLIX INCORPORATED

Competition concerns over TPG bid for iiNet

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Original article by David Ramli
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 13 : 12-Jun-15

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has postponed a decision on TPG Telecom’s takeover bid for iiNet until 20 August 2015. The ACCC has expressed concern that the $A1.56bn deal may result in a significant reduction in competition in the broadband sector. It has also suggested that the deal could result in an increase in the cost of internet access and reduced customer service for clients of the merged entity.

CORPORATES
TPG TELECOM LIMITED – ASX TPM, IINET LIMITED – ASX IIN, AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION, TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, SINGTEL OPTUS PTY LTD, JP MORGAN AUSTRALIA LIMITED, CITIGROUP PTY LTD, FOXTEL MANAGEMENT PTY LTD, AUSTAR UNITED COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED

Optus chief predicts duopoly with Telstra

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Original article by David Ramli
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 15 : 5-Jun-15

Singtel Optus will ramp up investment in its fixed-line and mobile networks in a bid to dispel consumers’ perceptions that Telstra’s networks are superior. Optus will also introduce a single customer billing system across its operations and pursue further alliances with content providers such as Netflix. Meanwhile, Optus CEO Allen Lew has suggested that there is potential for consolidation in Australia’s telco sector to leave Telstra and Optus as the two main players.

CORPORATES
SINGTEL OPTUS PTY LTD, SINGAPORE TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED – ASX SGT, TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, IINET LIMITED – ASX IIN, TPG TELECOM LIMITED – ASX TPM, NETFLIX INCORPORATED, WOOLWORTHS LIMITED – ASX WOW, COLES SUPERMARKETS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, QANTAS AIRWAYS LIMITED – ASX QAN, VIRGIN AUSTRALIA HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX VAH

Trademark row risks Vodafone’s plans

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Original article by David Ramli
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 23 : 28-May-15

Australian telcos Vodafone and Telstra are embroiled in an intellectual property dispute. UK-based Vodafone Group sought a trademark to use the phrase "Ready Business" in Australia, as it is used to promote its range of business products in other markets. However, Telstra has argued that it is too similar to its own "Ready for Business" trademark, which it uses to promote its Digital Office Technology products.

CORPORATES
TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, VODAFONE HUTCHISON AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, VODAFONE AUSTRALIA LIMITED, VODAFONE GROUP PLC, DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, BANKI HADDOCK FIORA

Revived Vodafone sets its sights on small business growth

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Original article by David Ramli
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 17 & 22 : 20-May-15

Vodafone Hutchison Australia increased its revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, which is the first time since 2010 that the telco’s revenue has risen. CFO James Marsh is upbeat about Vodafone’s outlook, forecasting that revenue and customer numbers will continue to increase. He says the telco will seek to build a greater share of the small and medium enterprise market, while it also hopes to re-enter the wholesale mobile services sector.

CORPORATES
VODAFONE HUTCHISON AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, VODAFONE AUSTRALIA LIMITED, VODAFONE GROUP PLC, TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, HUTCHISON WHAMPOA LIMITED, SINGTEL OPTUS PTY LTD, STAN, FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED – ASX FXJ, SPOTIFY LIMITED

Optus gears up for mobile war against Telstra

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Original article by David Ramli
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 15 & 20 : 15-May-15

Singtel Optus has posted a net profit of $A841m for the year to 31 March, which is 0.7 per cent higher than previously. The telco’s revenue increased by 3.8 per cent to $A8.79bn. Meanwhile, Optus will significantly increase investment in its telecommunications infrastructure. Optus intends to upgrade its mobile network in a bid to take market share from Telstra, while it will also upgrade its fixed-line network amid strong competition from TPG Telecom and iiNet.

CORPORATES
SINGTEL OPTUS PTY LTD, SINGAPORE TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED – ASX SGT, TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, IINET LIMITED – ASX IIN, TPG TELECOM LIMITED – ASX TPM, AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION, NETFLIX INCORPORATED, NOMURA SECURITIES COMPANY LIMITED, PRESTO ENTERTAINMENT PTY LTD