Senators Andrew Bragg & Jane Hume spoke at a blockchain conference yesterday and floated the idea that Australia should be a "cryptocurrency hub" and that there should be an "Australian-made badge of approval" for cryptocurrency services. Senator Bragg talked about a Digital Services Act that would regulate the entire industry, as well as taxation reforms to make sure there's no additional taxes on cryptocurrency, but also to make sure existing taxes aren't dodged. Senator Hume went on to explain that if they remain government next eletion, a "light touch regulatory framework for the crypto industry" isn't on their list of priorities.
Good news for the 636,000 premises with NBN fixed wireless - it's getting upgraded to "the latest 4G and 5G wireless technologies" with the aim of making it capable of 100mbit-plus speeds for everyone and up to 250mbit to 85% of premises in the wireless footprint. The footprint itself is being expanded so around 120,000 premises currently on satellite services can use fixed wireless instead. Meanwhile, NBN has added HFC to the same performance standard as FTTN, meaning if you suffer 4 or more "unexpected dropouts" in a 24 hour period, NBN will investigate. Oh and the FTTN to FTTP upgrade program officially launched today.
Now seems like a good time to remind people about a little iOS app called Petty. It's by far the nicest petrol price app going around, uses Australian sources, has widgets, notifications, an Apple Watch companion app, an iPad version, light/dark mode support and a 90-day price history. NSW, QLD, SA and TAS are supported and it only costs $4.49/yr to unlock premium features. The developer is also a Sizzle subscriber, so get around it! If I had to suffer the indignity of driving a fossil fuel powered vehicle, I would have Petty on my iPhone's home screen, for sure.
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