The federal opposition wants to create its own NBN service guarantee that would see NBN Co fined every time contractors missed appointments or made installation errors.

Labor’s argument is that right now retail providers of internet and communication services are held accountable by the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) whence the NBN reports to no one.

This is true but it’s also a little skewed. Retail providers aren’t fined for missing appointments at the moment. They never have been and more often than not customers grit their teeth and bare it with many not even know the TIO exists.

Referring issues to the TIO is a process that anyone can do and I encourage those hitting road blocks with a telco to do so however it doesn’t result in instant fining either.

While I’m the first in line to pile shit on the Liberal MTM NBN, Labor’s announcement here is a bit of smoke designed to capture disgruntled voters and likely to implemented in a way that isn’t as black and white – if at all.

That’s politics in a nutshell really isn’t it?

Source: Labor wants to fine NBN Co for bad service – Telco/ISP – iTnews

Australians will be blocked from shopping on Amazon’s international websites and restricted to using its smaller local platform as the e-commerce giant responds to the government’s new GST rules on online purchases.

Of course old mate Gerry Harvey had plenty to say on the self imposed  redirection that Amazon announced yesterday.

“They’ve done the dirty on the government. They’ve done the dirty on the public.” cried Mr Harvey, no doubt with his head angled towards the sky and his fist pumping in rage.

Not only will Australians be unable to access the US (or any other) Amazon store should they gain access through other technical methods will be unable to ship their items to Australian addresses.

The end result is access to an awfully poor selection of items in the current store at inflated prices four times or more above the cost of buying it from the US and shipping it here currently.

The new redirection will start July 1st at the same time as the government’s new GST collection rules for overseas vendors begin.

Source: Amazon to block US website for Australian shoppers over GST rules

Beem It quietly launched in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store earlier this […] May.

The app enables sending and receiving money, with an interface reminiscent of a social media app.

Comm Bank, Westpac & NAB (AKA the cry-babies that still wont implement Apple Pay) announced “Beem It” last October, a new platform that would enable users to pay one another with a new, modern user experience.

The app makes use of Australia’s Eftpos and Visa’s debit card networks to allow the funds to be transferred from one party to another.

Noticeably absent is Australia’s newly available New Payments Platform (NPP). A system that all banks in Australia now use and offers near-instantenous transactions. Beem It CEO, Mark Wood has said that NPP may arrive in the future however.

Australians will you Beem It?

Source: ​Big bank-backed Beem It launches Aussie payments app | ZDNet

With the Turnbull government already under pressure to ban Huawei from participating in the roll out of the 5G network, security agencies are also examining the decisions around ZTE, which is China’s second biggest telco equipment manufacturer.

The US government this week blocked any company from supplying the Chinese manufacturer. This now includes Google who not only supply the operating system for the their phones but the suite of apps that are most popular on it in western markets.

The sanction comes after ZTE previously sold telecommunications hardware to both Iran and North Korea, violating the US’ trade laws and beginning a large investigation into the company’s practices.

The US has already banned Huawei from providing hardware that would provider infrastructure to domestic telecommunications networks for security reasons and Australia has been strongly advised to do the same,  the Turnbull government remaining tight lipped & sitting on the fence over the issue.

The same will now be asked of ZTE. Presently the company provides a great deal of low-cost, rebranded phones sold by Telstra & Optus in Australia and could see the telco’s left trying to find another manufacturer if a sanction is imposed.

Source: Chinese telco ZTE on Australian spy agencies radar after UK, US bans | afr.com

The new 2018 QLED TV evolves the premium viewing experience, with big screens and vibrant colours for truly lifelike pictures. Manage your connected devices conveniently with a single remote, find a world of content easily, and delight in designs that blend effortlessly into your home’s interior.

The new QLED models are Samsung’s “crème de la crème” when it comes to TVs. The new sets make use of the company’s “Quantum Dot” technology and come with a 10 year “no screen burn” guarantee.

They also feature the much advertised “Ambient Mode” that blends the TV into its surroundings by mimicking the wall behind it and displaying widgets on its screen when not in use.

Pricing released today has the new models ranging from A$3,699 for the Q7 55″ up to $10,499 for the Q9 75″.

Q9F 75″ – $10,499 (QLED)
Q9F 65″ – $6,999 (QLED)

Q8F 65″ – $5,899 (QLED)
Q8F 55″ – $4,099 (QLED)

Q7F 75″ – $8,199 (QLED)
Q7F 65″ – $5,299 (QLED)
Q7F 55″ -$3,699 (QLED)

Source: The new 2018 Samsung QLED TV. See nothing else. | Samsung Australia

In addition to a AU$69 modem, Kogan Internet’s month-to-month NBN plans start at AU$58.90 per month for the 12/1Mbps speed tier; AU$68.90 per month — currently discounted to AU$58.90 per month for the first 24 months — for 50/20Mbps speeds; and AU$88.90 per month for speeds of 100/40Mbps.

The service is being carried by Vodafone meaning whether you’re a customer of Kogan or Voda you’ll get the exact same speed and congestion on both.

Interestingly, Voda, who’s plans also offer unlimited data, are more expensive across the board. The biggest difference comes at the top speed tier costing $99/month on Voda and $88.90 with Kogan.

Source: Kogan NBN service goes live | ZDNet

Australian shoppers would have to pay a $5 tax on every parcel posted from overseas under a federal government plan to cover skyrocketing security screening costs.

Parcels containing purchases like clothing, makeup and books worth less than $1000 – which now represent 90 per cent of deliveries entering Australia – would attract the new tax.

This is in addition to forcing online vendors based overseas to begin collecting GST from July 1st.

It’s estimated nearly 38 million parcels came into the country last year that fit the government’s criteria. That’s a cool A$190m in the back pocket for doing sweet F-A.

Don’t piss in our pockets about “skyrocketing security screening costs” this is just more fear mongering by Mr Potato Head and his mates – the proposal coming from the Department of Home Affairs, led by Peter Dutton.

Source: Department of Home Affairs plans new tax on parcels being posted to Australia