Sluggish demand for IoT devices and falling smartphone sales are triggering a slowdown in the consumer electronics market in Australia and elsewhere in the world, according to Accenture. [ + ]

A government grants program worth nearly $130 million is now available to telecommunications providers to meet new data retention obligations. [ + ]

Sungard has commenced plans to expand the state's largest data centre with a second facility that is expected to fuel local job opportunities and skills growth.

Data-as-a-service software, including data virtualisation, is fast becoming a strategic IT solution to address the demands of the big data trend. [ + ]

Telstra has signed agreements with nbn covering negotiation on a deal to support the rollout of the NBN within the HFC footprint, as well as contracts to provide network operations and maintenance services. [ + ]

While Australian businesses still wait to see the impact of Google's new algorithm favouring mobile-friendly sites, a search marketing expert has called on them to focus on the fundamentals of SEO. [ + ]

The NBN has reached a pair of milestones, with the first 1000 FTTN premises — and the first 1.5 million premises using any technology — now connected to the national network. [ + ]

Education Department to repay $37m over forced laptop leases, ransomware attacks on Australian businesses surge, and a Facebook business version expected to launch soon. [ + ]

Check out this list of the first 10 companies to register for a commercial dot-com domain, with now-defunct computer manufacturer Symbolics taking the top spot. [ + ]

Deakin University has partnered with EON Reality to set up an interactive digital centre hub in Melbourne covering the latest virtual and augmented reality technologies. [ + ]

A group of technology innovators and companies has founded an organisation dedicated to researching ways to use AI and machine learning to benefit the whole of humanity. [ + ]

Telstra is giving its customers unlimited free access to its large Wi-Fi network, Telstra Air, in time for summer. [ + ]

The Telecom Industry Ombudsman (TIO) has revealed that consumer complaints over slow data speeds grew 66.3% year-on-year in Q3, even as overall complaints received by the office declined. [ + ]

Organisations that fully harness the potential of providing highly flexible and creative workplaces early will be able to attract and retain the best talent for their workforce. [ + ]

For enterprises whose operations span wide geographical areas with dispersed workforces, unified communications is the solution to many problems. [ + ]