Aussie gov't tells volunteers throw out functioning test routers
5 hours ago
- #E-Waste
- #Broadband Testing
- #Government Program
- Thousands of SamKnows routers were bricked after the conclusion of the Australian Measuring Broadband Australia (MBA) program in June 2024.
- The program, run by the ACCC, distributed over 2,600 whitebox routers to volunteers to test broadband performance, aiming for about 4,000.
- Volunteers were notified that devices would be disabled and accounts closed after June 30, leading to criticism over avoidable e-waste as routers remained functional.
- The ACCC's final report highlighted the routers were supplied by SamKnows and used for performance testing via Australian servers.
- The program focused on NBN and other fixed-line broadband services, with data deletion post-termination as per license agreements.