Bill Bennett

Bill Bennett

@billbennett.bsky.social

It’s tough at the top. https://billbennett.co.nz

1.1K followers270 following6.1K posts

Bill Bennett
@billbennett.bsky.social

Friday's newsletter looked at the planned joint venture between One NZ and 2degrees mobile networks. Some fear this is another 3 into 2 consolidation like that in the supermarket sector. Others think it can unlock real competition. billbennett.co.nz/ranco-joint-...

billbennett.co.nzOne NZ-2degrees joint venture faces oppositionSubmissions warn of weaker competition, higher costs, slower investment; Monopoly Watch NZ backs the One NZ-2degrees Ranco deal. TDL figures show stable market
Bill Bennett
@billbennett.bsky.social

We have a Quantum Smart bake home bread making machine. I’m not sure what exactly is quantum about it but after extensive experimenting I can tell you that a loaf that exhibits wave-particle duality tastes exactly the same as a Newtonian loaf. PS. I warned the cat to stay well clear of it.

Bill Bennett reposted

Private Eye Magazine
@privateeyenews.bsky.social

Ofcom’s ability to regulate online safety will be sorely tested in coming weeks, with Meta, TikTok and X all involved in legal challenges to its sanctions for noncompliance with UK legislation.

Bill Bennett
@billbennett.bsky.social

Three years ago I had to send a physical, old school letter. Email was not an option. Which meant buying an envelope. In our local post shop they ONLY come in packs of 100. Today I used the second envelope. At this rate my envelope stationary supply will last until October 2326.

Bill Bennett
@billbennett.bsky.social

Finally moved most of my Kiwisaver and other retirement savings out of equities - it took far longer than expected - but now I'm fully prepared for the AI stockmarket meltdown.

Bill Bennett
@billbennett.bsky.social

I have old... some very old copies of New Scientist. It seems a shame to chuck them in landfill. Are there any other options? My local op shop doesn't want them.

Bill Bennett
@billbennett.bsky.social

It's an extremely long shot but I have a 2nd generation Apple Pencil that does not work with my new iPad. If anyone out there has a Pencil Pro or Pencil (USB-C) they can't use but can use mine, would you be prepared to trade... if there's a financial difference I can make it up.

Bill Bennett
@billbennett.bsky.social

I’ve had enough of the blue and red jackets the main political parties appear to insist that campaigning MPs must wear. That joke isn’t funny any more.

Bill Bennett
@billbennett.bsky.social

I've started keeping records of when I unsubscribe to emails lists. It doesn't change anything, but I can track which spammers take no notice of their own unsubscribe buttons. In nine out of ten cases the organisations that don't respect unsubscribe are the same as the ones I didn't sign up for.

Bill Bennett
@billbennett.bsky.social

I know that there is a reason why Auckland's children's hospital is called Starship, but I'm sure it confuses the hell out of people who don't live here but see the name in news headlines without any other context.

Bill Bennett
@billbennett.bsky.social

I've written a series of basic neutral backgrounders on New Zealand telecommunications and closely related subjects. There are 13 in all. Let me know if you think there is a subject I should add to the list. This is the one on data sovereignty: billbennett.co.nz/data-soverei...

billbennett.co.nzWhat data sovereignty means for New ZealandWhat data sovereignty means for New Zealand organisations, why the US Cloud Act matters even for data stored locally and why 'local cloud' claims do not guarantee legal protection from foreign jurisdi...
Bill Bennett
@billbennett.bsky.social

My shocking revelation is that I have lived in New Zealand for 39 years and have never seen more than about five minutes of Shortland Street in all that time.

Bill Bennett
@billbennett.bsky.social

I've been looking at this right-wing strategic voting thing and can see that it carries considerable downside risk for National, but will only do positive things for Act and NZ First. It more or less amounts to right-wing attack on National.

Bill Bennett
@billbennett.bsky.social

I'm not one for conspiracy theories, but I certainly have sceptical thoughts about the Curia poll consistently showing Opportunity as under the 5% threshold and therefore looking like a wasted vote. Real trend or not, it certainly helps the coalition's agenda. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...

rnz.co.nzNZ First surge extends coalition lead, latest Taxpayers' Union Curia poll showsA new poll shows the coalition has slightly extended its lead over the left bloc thanks to a surge in support for New Zealand First, while both the major parties remain languishing in the twenties.