Latest news with #telcos
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Why you could be wasting over $12,000 a year
While inflation and interest rates are now easing, most people are still doing it tough. Natural disasters continue to impact food prices, and petrol costs fluctuate based on overseas wars. Here's some good news: you've probably got ways to save money hiding in plain sight. Most Aussie households are bleeding money in one or more of the following ways: 1. Loyalty taxes Banks, insurers, telcos and utilities offer better deals to new customers while jacking up prices for existing ones. It's called the 'loyalty tax'. And it can add thousands to your bills. For instance, automatically renewing your car's CTP could cost you up to double! Review your spending at least annually. Shop around for a better deal then ask your current provider to beat (or at least match) it. If they don't, switch. Potential savings: $20+/month per bill; $100+/month on a mortgage. 2. Not rightsizing insurance Surprisingly, many people pay for cover they no longer need. A good example is women with maternity cover even after going through 'the change'. Review policies before each renewal. Update your cover as your circumstances change. Potential savings: Upwards of $5/month. 3. Having multiple loans Multiple loans means multiple interest rates. Average rates are around: • 6 per cent on a mortgage • 10 per cent on a car or person loan • over 20 per cent on credit cards Consolidate expensive debts into one loan with a lower rate. Potential savings: Around $1500/year, depending on debt size, type and your credit history. 4. Paying loans monthly Monthly repayments equal 12 per year. But fortnightly repayments equal 26 each year (not 24) since most months have 4.5 weeks. More repayments pay the loan off faster and reduce overall interest. Potential savings: $6124/year (assuming a $500,000, 30-year mortgage with a 6.23 per cent rate). 5. Paying with cards How much is the convenience of the fantastic plastic costing you? Transaction fees average 0.25 per cent to 2 per cent across credit and debit cards. That quickly adds up each time you pay bills or buy groceries. Instead, use cash wherever possible. Potential savings: Up to 2 per cent on all spending. 6. Forgoing cashback apps Cashback apps pay a portion of your online shopping back into your PayPal or bank account. If you aren't registered and logged in when shopping online, you won't receive these payments. Register with a reputable cashback app (e.g. Cashrewards, ShopBack). Some banks have their own (e.g. Commbank's Yello, NAB's Goodies). Potential savings: Average $6-7 on every $100 spent. 7. Unused subscriptions Subscriptions are perhaps the easiest way to bleed money. The amount just disappears from your account automatically, without you doing anything at all. They quickly add up, as the following averages show: • Gym membership: $70/month = $840/year • Streaming services: $8-$26/month = $96-$312/year • Magazines – $85/year • Professional memberships – $95 – $1,200/year That's over $2400 each year! How many are you still actively using? Review your bank statement monthly. If you no longer use something, cancel it ASAP. Potential savings: $7-$70 each/month. 8. Unclaimed tax deductions H&R Block suggests Australians on average miss out on $237.44 in unclaimed deductions each year. Commonly overlooked deductions include: • Expenses (working from home, travel, self-education) • Industry-specific and workplace safety costs • Ongoing financial advice • Depreciation • Super contribution benefits Keep good records to avoid missing claims. Your accountant and financial adviser will help maximise your deductions. Potential savings: $237/year. 9. Incurring late fees What do energy bills, council rates, tax, mortgages, credit cards, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) schemes, libraries, tolls, and traffic fines all have in common? You'll pay more if you pay them late. Late fees can be up $50 each time. The ATO applies penalty units of up to $330. Others accrue interest on the amount owed. Automate bills and save due dates into your calendar to pay on time. Potential savings: 70 cents – $400 each. 10. Unclaimed gift cards News of the unclaimed $100 million Powerball win enthralled the nation. Yet unclaimed money is more common than you think. Aussies lose a staggering $1.4 billion on unused gift cards alone. That's $51 for every single one of us. Regularly check your purse, wallet, utility draw and car glovebox. When you find one, use it … or lose it! Potential savings: $51. 11. Not investing The longer you wait to invest, the more you miss compound earnings plus any tax benefits (like deductions for superannuation contributions). Your financial adviser can help you create your investment strategy to maximise returns and minimise tax. Just $20/month invested for 30 years, averaging 7 per cent returns, nets you an extra $24,399.42. Invest $500/month and you'll be $609,985.50 richer! Helen Baker is a licensed Australian financial adviser and author of the new book, Money For Life: How to build financial security from firm foundations (Major Street Publishing $32.99). Helen is among the 1 per cent of financial planners who hold a master's degree in the field. Proceeds from book sales are donated to charities supporting disadvantaged women and children. Find out more at
Phone Arena
2 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Verizon's rollercoaster Q2: fewer subscribers, but bigger bucks
At the end of the day, it seems like there isn't much of a difference if you're on Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T… right? At least that's the sentiment across online forums like Reddit and it's not like people are singing Kumbaya with smiles on their faces. Quite the opposite – it seems that people are sick of the big three telcos' prices and plans in 2025:It's not that just a particular telco is on the receiving end of the countless complaints; no – all three are under the righteous fire of subscribers. That includes Verizon , which got on customers' nerves by pulling promised discounts, as we told you earlier. That being said, the Big Red raised the lower end of its annual profit outlook after posting stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings, fueled by solid demand for its premium plans. As a result, the company's stock climbed 4% in premarket trading. Wireless service revenue grew 2.2% as more customers signed up for add-ons such as bundled access to streaming platforms like Netflix. Verizon has been leaning on price-lock deals and broadband-wireless bundles to keep customers from switching to rivals, with AT&T and T-Mobile ramping up competition alongside aggressive promotions from Comcast and Charter. Despite these efforts, Verizon reported an unexpected loss of 9,000 monthly bill-paying wireless subscribers during the April-to-June quarter (that's Q2 of 2025), falling short of analyst expectations for a gain of 13,000. The decline was largely attributed to churn following price increases earlier this year, and everybody could see it coming. Image by PhoneArena To maintain growth in a saturated US telecom market, Verizon and other major carriers have been investing heavily in fiber-optic infrastructure to meet the surging demand for data. In May, Verizon secured approval from federal regulators for its $20 billion acquisition of fiber-optic provider Frontier, following an agreement to discontinue its diversity programs. The company's growing focus on internet services paid off, with 293,000 net broadband additions during the quarter. Overall revenue reached $34.5 billion, surpassing the $33.74 billion estimate. Looking ahead, Verizon now projects 2025 adjusted profit to rise between 1% and 3%, tightening its previous forecast of 0% to 3%. It also boosted its full-year free cash flow target to a range of $19.5 billion to $20.5 billion, up from the earlier guidance of $17.5 billion to $18.5 billion. Sometimes, the difference between 0% and 1% can mean the world.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Future of Connectivity Starts Here: Network X Returns to Paris October 14
Show Reconvenes at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles with Global Representation of Industry Leaders and Telco Experts PARIS, July 16, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Network X 2025 - the only event that brings the fixed and mobile markets together - returns to Paris Expo Porte de Versailles October 14 - 16. Built for telecom's top players, this annual show drives business model innovation and monetisation of next-generation fixed, mobile, satellite and transport networks through AI and cloud. New to Network X in 2025 are specialty events designed to deliver expert insights on trending topics including Data Center World and two Expo Stages for Fixed-Line and Mobile. More than 5,500 telco network infrastructure professionals will gather alongside 1,500 telcos to learn from six program tracks highlighting the latest advancements in Fibre, Wi-Fi Networks and Services, IP and Optical Transport, Mobile Networks, Mobile Services, and Data Centres. "Network X is more than a conference—it's where the global telecoms ecosystem comes to shape the future," said Chris Lycett, Event Director, Network X. "As Europe continues the charge on fibre innovation, AI integration, and open network strategies, Paris provides the perfect stage for meaningful collaboration between telcos, tech suppliers, standards bodies and more. What happens here influences network infrastructure decisions and digital service efforts around the world." From product demos and VIP roundtables to networking events, keynotes and panel discussions, and focused conference sessions, Network X offers multiple ways for attendees to benchmark, connect, and exchange insights across the telecom ecosystem. The following Headliners keynotes are not to be missed: Services, Chipsets, Routing, LLMs, SLMs, Orchestration and more to deliver a true AI network with Takki Yu (SK Telecom). Meeting the demands of AI with the modern data centre with Marc Ganzi (Digital Bridge). Driving cost-savings, efficiencies and revenue opportunities with AI across fixed-line networks with Marc Einstein (Counterpoint Research), Craig Thomas (Broadband Forum), David Tomalin (CityFibre). Telcos, Data Centres, Hyperscalers and more with Karim Taga (Arthur D Little), Vincent Cuvillier (Cellnex Telecom), Matt Swinden (BT Business). Enhancing the conference experience are the fringe events taking place on each day. From the Network X Awards celebrating excellence across solution and service provider categories to the Network X Party offering a casino-themed evening of fun and networking, and The Green: Networking Lounge for deeper one-on-one conversations and collaborations, attendees are provided a range of formats to connect. Network X is the only global platform uniting fixed, mobile, and cloud infrastructure leaders under one roof, thanks in part to sponsors like Qualcomm, Reply Adeptic, Aprecomm, Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia, ZTE, Ciena, AVM, TP Link, Sagemcom, Heights Telecom, CIG, and Airoha. For further information and to register for the event, visit About Network X Network X returns to Paris on October 14-16, 2025, at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles as the only global event that unites the fixed and mobile telecom markets. Bringing together over 5,500 senior network infrastructure and service professionals, including 1,500+ operators from telco operators, Network X serves as a hub for industry leaders, technology vendors, policymakers, analysts, and media. The 2025 event will explore five key themes shaping the future of connectivity: Fibre, Wi-Fi Networks and Services, Optical Transport, Mobile Networks, Mobile Services and Data Centres. With a focus on monetising next-generation fixed, mobile, satellite and transport networks through AI and cloud, Network X provides a comprehensive platform for professionals to learn, engage, and network with experts, technology providers, and peers across the telecommunications landscape. View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Suzanne Matulay, networkx@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Finextra
11-07-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Rethinking Mobile Money: From App Integration to Embedded Financial Platforms: By Galong Yao
In recent discussions around mobile financial services, a recurring question has surfaced: Should telecom operators merge their Mobile Money apps into their main self-service platforms? On the surface, integration seems to promise streamlined development, focused user traffic, and lower promotional costs—particularly in markets across Africa and other emerging regions. However, I believe this line of thinking may be too narrow. Instead of merely considering whether to combine apps, we should ask: How can Mobile Money evolve into a foundational financial capability—one that is accessible everywhere, at any moment, and serves as the backbone for a broader digital ecosystem? Mobile Money is not just another service to be bundled into an app. In practice, users encounter financial needs across a variety of contexts: topping up mobile data, paying utility bills, sending money to friends, or making small purchases. The true value lies in making Mobile Money ever-present—integrated seamlessly across all digital touchpoints, rather than isolated within a single application. Looking at the Chinese fintech experience, market leaders such as Alipay and WeChat did not dominate by launching standalone finance apps. Instead, they embedded payments and financial services into social, commerce, and mobility scenarios—transforming themselves into platforms that power a wide array of digital experiences. For telcos in Africa, Latin America, or South Asia, this suggests a practical path forward: Develop Mobile Money as a modular capability, accessible via SDKs and APIs across all digital channels—main apps, mini apps, partner platforms, and even USSD. Establish a Financial Capability Registry: a centralized directory of services (transfer, payments, credit, etc.) available for both internal and external use. Reimagine the main self-service app as a container or service launcher, rather than a monolithic solution. This shift enables greater flexibility, rapid innovation, and the ability to leverage ecosystem partnerships. Ultimately, the real competitive advantage is not in owning more apps, but in being present at more moments in a user's digital journey. Telecom operators should look beyond simple integration and embrace financial services as embedded infrastructure—fluid, scalable, and ready for the ecosystem era. The convergence of finance and everyday scenarios is where the future truly lies.
SBS Australia
08-07-2025
- Business
- SBS Australia
Australians are becoming more frustrated with their telcos — and escalating their complaints
The number of complaints about phone providers Australians are escalating to the industry ombudsman when telcos can't solve them continues to rise. Analysis from the communications watchdog, released on Wednesday, highlighted a nearly sevenfold increase in the rate of complaints about the worst-performing company being escalated to the industry ombudsman. racked up 152 complaints per 10,000 services — the most escalations out of the nation's 36 largest telcos in the March 2025 quarter. But its former customers may receive a reprieve, after shut up shop. Its customer accounts were acquired by larger provider Amaysim, which finished above the nation's big-three telcos Telstra, Optus and TPG in the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) complaints-handling performance table. Amaysim was acquired by Optus in 2021 and uses the larger telco's network, as did Optus fared poorly in the analysis, taking the 31st spot out of 36 companies. Source: AAP Amaysim said the ACMA findings relating to have no implication on their operations and the final customers transferred in June now have access to Amaysim's "award-winning" customer support. More broadly, the rate of customer complaints being referred to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) has risen for the third consecutive quarter. The report from ACMA says 7.1 per cent of customer complaints were referred to the ombudsman, up from 6.9 per cent in the previous quarter. Referring a complaint to the TIO means the issue was not able to be resolved between customers and their provider. ACMA member Samantha Yorke said having to refer complaints to the ombudsman adds to consumers' frustrations about making a complaint in the first place. "The data shows that some telcos need to do a lot more to address complaints so that customers don't have to escalate the matter to the TIO to have it fixed," she said. A spokeswoman for the TIO said customer issues with financial hardship rose 71.9 per cent in the last quarter. Two of the nation's biggest telcos fared particularly poorly in the analysis, with Optus (31st) and TPG (34th) occupying spots near the bottom of the 36-ranked companies for rate of referred complaints. Telstra — Australia's biggest provider — was 18th, with 31 complaints per 10,000 services.
