Minister for Regional Communications Fiona Nash recently attended the opening of Telstra's 100th new mobile tower under the Mobile Black Spots Program (MBSP), where she sang the praises of the Coalition's commitment to improving mobile coverage in rural, regional and remote Australia. [ + ]

Redback Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Duserve Facilities Management (Duserve FM) to collaborate on a pilot project trialling Redback's solar solutions in the United Arab Emirates. [ + ]

The clean energy industry has welcomed a new inquiry into electricity prices announced by the Turnbull government, which should ensure retail markets are competitive and that consumers looking to manage their own power bills through solar and battery storage are being treated fairly. [ + ]

Teletrac Navman has released new research which the company says shows that electronic work diary (EWD) use will triple within the next 12 months. As legislation allows transport operators to replace paper logbooks with EWDs, it's likely the technology will grow exponentially in 2017. [ + ]

In the age of increasing automation around the home, the yet-to-be-commercially-available ThreadRobe is taking things to new heights. [ + ]

Master Electricians Australia (MEA) has questioned the capacity of ACTU boss Sally McManus, following her appearance on the ABC's 7.30 current affairs program last week. [ + ]

Schneider Electric has successfully defended its iconic brand, Clipsal, from intellectual property infringement by Clipso Electrical. [ + ]

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have demonstrated efficient solar energy storage in a chemical liquid. The stored energy can be transported and then released as heat whenever needed according to a report on Science Daily. The research has been published in scientific journal Energy & Environmental Science. [ + ]

The federal government's Smart Cities and Suburbs program has been officially opened by Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor. [ + ]

Prysmian Group has delivered what it says is the densest and highest fibre count underwater optical cable ever made to provide broadband connection between Siu Sai Wan on Hong Kong Island and the Tseung Kwan O (TKO) Industrial Estate data centre hub located on the mainland. [ + ]

The annual Vivid Sydney festival is back on this year, bigger and better than ever. Billed as "the world's largest festival of light, music and ideas", the event runs for 23 days (26 May to 17 June 2017) and will transform the harbour city with its colourful creative canvas. Last year's Vivid Sydney attracted a record 2.31 million attendees, and hopes are for more this year. [ + ]

Brisbane-based energy group Lyon Solar says the current global attention on South Australia and its power issues is welcome. [ + ]

Schneider Electric has been recognised at the 2017 IF Design Awards ceremony in Munich, receiving recognition for the Easergy T300, Resi9 DB60 and Avatar On products. [ + ]

The board of Master Builders Australia has announced the appointment of Denita Wawn as chief executive officer of MBA effective 20 March 2017. [ + ]

The Federal Court has dismissed proceedings brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) against electrical cable manufacturers, wholesalers and their executives for alleged cartel conduct. [ + ]