David Everson
Content Advisor, Tech X TelcoDavid Everson is Tech X Telco's mobile and broadband writer. He compares Australian mobile plans, NBN providers and prepaid deals, and tests the recharge processes, apps and tools readers ask about most. His focus is simple: helping Australians pay less for their phone and internet without losing the coverage they need.
- Telco ·
Australia’s Outdoor Mobile Coverage Law Has Passed: What Happens Next?
Parliament has passed the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation. The Government’s planned start is December 2027, subject to market developments.
- Mobile ·
Telstra’s November RCS Rollout: What Changes for Your Messages?
Telstra lists a 16 November start for carrier RCS on compatible devices. Here is what to check about support, data use, iPhones and encryption.
- Internet ·
NBN Fibre Expansion Targets 19,000 Victorian Premises: Who Benefits?
NBN plans to extend full fibre to selected premises across 70 Victorian communities. Check the address-level details before planning a switch.
- Technology ·
Fortinet Security Updates: What Australian Businesses Should Check
The ACSC has issued a critical alert covering several Fortinet product families. Businesses should establish which devices need updates and who will complete them.
- Technology ·
Critical PHP Security Flaws: What Website Owners Need to Check Now
PHP has released fixes for two critical flaws. Australian website owners should confirm their hosting is patched and ask about a further session-handling warning.
- Telco ·
Stronger Telco Penalties: What Changes for Customers?
Parliament has passed stronger telco safeguards. The reforms expand enforcement options, while customers with a current problem still need a clear complaint record.
- Mobile ·
How to Recharge Vodafone Prepaid: Online, App, SMS and Vouchers
Every way to recharge a Vodafone prepaid mobile in 2026: Express Recharge online, the My Vodafone app, 1511 by phone or SMS, vouchers and auto recharge, with balance checks, My Credit explained and fixes for failed payments.
- Mobile ·
Wi-Fi Calling in Australia: Turn It On and Check It Works
Wi-Fi calling carries a call over your internet connection when the mobile signal cannot. How to switch it on for iPhone and Android, what Telstra and Optus each charge, how they differ on overseas use, and what both say about Triple Zero.
- Mobile ·
Data Roaming On or Off? What the Setting Actually Changes
Data roaming controls internet access on a foreign network and nothing else. Turning it off does not stop every overseas charge: Telstra still bills for MessageBank, Optus recommends flight mode for its Daily Roaming product, and Vodafone charges when you receive a call.
- Mobile ·
Call Divert Made Simple: Forwarding Calls on Telstra, Optus and Vodafone
Call forwarding is a carrier feature, so the dial codes and the cost differ by network. The four kinds of diversion, the exact sequences each carrier publishes, how to check one took effect, and which forwards cost you money.
- Internet ·
How to Cancel Exetel Broadband: Notice Periods and Your Final Bill
The One and older Exetel plans cancel under different rules. On The One there is no 30-day notice but the rest of the billing cycle is payable; legacy residential fibre terms require 30 days. How to confirm which applies, request the cancellation and check the final bill.
- Telco ·
Telstra Pays $277,200 After Mobile-Fraud Protection Failures
The ACMA found Telstra skipped required identity checks in 15 unauthorised SIM swaps and failed to protect 13 at-risk customers. Here is what happened, what the penalty actually is, and where to get help if you suspect fraud.
- Telco ·
Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation Bill Passes the House: What It Would Require by December 2027
Parliament’s record shows the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation bill passed its second and third readings in the House of Representatives on 9 September 2026. If the Senate agrees, Telstra, Optus and TPG would have to make outdoor voice and SMS coverage reasonably available to all Australians, with a default start of 1 December 2027.
- Telco ·
Telstra’s July Outage Review: Network Timing Was Never Treated as Critical
Catch-up: Telstra published the findings of Technology Audit Partners’ external investigation on 2 September 2026. The July outage was triggered by incorrect date information after timing-system maintenance, and the review found Telstra had not treated network timing as a critical “sovereign function”. What Telstra says it has changed.
- Telco ·
Telstra Made A$2.4 Billion in FY26. Its Own Results Credit Price Rises and Cost Cuts
Telstra’s FY26 results, released 13 August 2026, show income down 0.9 percent but profit up 2.7 percent and cash earnings up 11.6 percent. Telstra’s own documents credit mobile price changes, wholesale growth and a A$530 million cost reduction, and its FY27 guidance counts on the May 2026 rises lifting revenue per user again. The shares fell about 3 percent on the day.
- Internet ·
Wi-Fi Connected but No Internet? Find Where the Connection Stops
Work out whether the problem is your device, home network or internet service before resetting settings or calling your provider.
- Streaming ·
Streaming Keeps Buffering? Check the TV Before Upgrading Your Internet
Separate a streaming-app problem from weak Wi-Fi or an internet fault, and measure the connection where you actually watch.
- Mobile ·
How to Set Up or Transfer an eSIM in Australia
Choose the right eSIM setup method, transfer your service and check calls, texts and data before removing the old SIM.
- Mobile ·
How to Keep a Spare Mobile Number Without Losing It
Keep a spare Australian number active, understand recharge expiry and avoid losing access to verification texts when switching providers.
- Technology ·
Moving to a New Phone: What to Transfer Before Wiping the Old One
Move your photos, files and account access to a new phone, then check what actually arrived before erasing the old device.
- Internet ·
Telstra Satellite Home Internet Goes to A$150 on 29 September, With Higher Speed Estimates
Telstra’s Starlink-based home internet plan rises from $125 to $150 a month on 29 September 2026. Telstra estimates evening speeds of 170 to 320 Mbps, up from a 50 Mbps cap, but says the figures come from limited preliminary testing.
- Mobile ·
How Much Mobile Data Do You Really Need?
Compare your recent mobile usage with the data needed for streaming, video calls and everyday apps, then choose a plan with room for your busiest month.
- Internet ·
NBN Expands Its Remaining FTTN Fibre Upgrade Target: What It Means for Your Address
NBN Co now says more than 99 per cent of the 600,000 premises left in its FTTN upgrade programme will be able to order full fibre by December 2030. An address-specific check still matters more than the national headline.
- Telco ·
Could Domestic Roaming Improve Regional Mobile Coverage? The ACCC Is Investigating
The ACCC opened a 12-month inquiry on 5 August 2026 into whether regulated wholesale access, including domestic roaming, could improve regional coverage. It has not formed a view, and nothing changes for your plan yet.
- Telco ·
AusAlert’s National Test Is Over: What to Know Before the October Rollout
The 27 July test was preparation for a new cell-broadcast emergency-warning system that goes live on 1 October 2026. Check device compatibility rather than assuming every phone will behave the same way.
- Internet ·
FTTC Fibre Upgrades No Longer Require a High-Speed NBN Plan
Since 1 July 2026, Fibre to the Curb customers can request a full-fibre upgrade without ordering a 100/40 Mbps or faster plan just to qualify. What changed, what did not, and what to ask your provider.
- Telco ·
New Mobile Coverage Maps and Outage Registers: How to Use Them
Since 30 June 2026 every mobile network must map coverage in four standard categories and publish registers of past outages. Here is what each tool answers, what it cannot tell you, and how to compare networks without reading too much into either.