Communications Archives - Page 16 of 40 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

19 November , 2019

Lifting the cyber security of the Internet of Things

The Australian Government is seeking community and industry input on a voluntary Code of Practice to improve the security of the Internet of Things for consumers in Australia, including the security of everyday smart devices that connect to the internet; such as smart TVs, watches and home speakers. With over 64 billion devices expected to…

30 October , 2019

TIO reports increase in phone and internet complaints

Residential consumers and small businesses made 32,801 complaints in the first quarter of 2020 (1 July 2019 to 30 September 2019). In this period complaints about phone and internet services increased 6.3 per cent compared to the same period in 2018. This data was highlighted in the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman’s Quarter One 2020 Complaints report…

15 October , 2019

Affordability of basic NBN products to be examined

The ACCC will consider whether Australians are able to access basic broadband plans at fair and affordable prices, as part of an inquiry into NBN wholesale charges launched on Monday. The inquiry will examine wholesale prices paid by retail service providers (RSPs), which use the NBN to supply residential-grade broadband services. The ACCC’s inquiry will…

11 October , 2019

Invitation to Consumer Data Right workshop

Consumer Data Standards would like to invite two members of CFA to attend a Consumer Experience workshop on the topic of consumer control. Focus of the workshop This workshop will generate ideas and directions for how to provide more control to Consumer Data Right (CDR) consumers. Consumer Data Standards are asking participants to prepare presentations…

16 September , 2019

Consumer Connections Magazine out now

Tasmania’s building and consumer regulator, Consumer, Building and Occupational Services, has released Edition 2 of its Consumer Connections Magazine. As well as providing advice specific to Tasmanians applying for building approvals and lodging complaints against service providers, the magazine includes great tips for all consumers. Safety in the home, how to choose a suitable NBN…

13 September , 2019

Review finds customer loyalty schemes need transparency and fairness

The ACCC has released its Customer loyalty schemes draft report for public comment. The report outlines the ACCC’s draft findings and recommendations following research and targeted consultation earlier this year. The review focussed on competition and consumer issues arising from customer loyalty schemes. There are two major findings covered in the draft report that are…

5 August , 2019

Investigation finds telemarketers pressuring consumers to sign up to NBN

Threats of being disconnected from phone and internet services, loss of phone numbers, and inaccurate information about NBN plans are issues highlighted in the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman’s latest report: “Misleading telemarketing of NBN services” published Thursday 1 August, 2019. Between January and December 2018, residential consumers and small businesses made 1,729 complaints to the Telecommunications…

31 July , 2019

How to stop paying fees for bills you receive in the mail

Consumer protection regulators are running a national campaign to help consumers avoid paying extra fees to receive bills in the post. People who prefer to receive paper bills are usually seniors, consumers on a low income, or people without internet access, which means that vulnerable consumers end up paying extra just to pay their bills.…

3 July , 2019

Telecommunications Consumer Protection Code inadequately protects consumers: consumer groups

The revised Telecommunications Consumer Protection (TCP) Code fails to adequately protect telco consumers, according to consumer groups. Despite consultation with the telco industry and regulator, consumer groups including ACCAN, Consumer Action Law Centre, WEstjustice, Financial Counselling Australia, Financial and Consumer Rights Council, Financial Rights Legal Centre, Money Mob, and HK Training and Consultancy, consider that…

30 May , 2019

CPRC Research Report: A Day in the Life of Data

Consumer Policy Research’s Centre (CPRC)’s latest report – A Day in the Life of Data – illustrates the bewildering volume and scope of data collected about consumers just as they go about their daily lives. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is here, and personal information is increasingly being collected and commodified while legislation fails to keep up. Led…

14 May , 2019

New report tracks internet activity on mobile and fixed lines

Mobile handsets continue to be the most common way consumers are accessing the internet while the largest volume of data is downloaded over fixed lines, as shown in a new ACCC data report on internet activity. The report, for the period ending 31 December 2018, also provides information on the number of retail services in operation…

7 May , 2019

Telcos warned for not helping vulnerable consumers

Eleven telcos have been hit with formal warnings by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for failing to tell potential new customers that they do not provide Priority Assistance (PA) services, or failing to name a telco that does. The eleven telcos are Activ8me, Aussie Broadband, Dodo, Exetel, Foxtel, MyRepublic, Skymesh, Southern Phone, Spintel, TPG, and V4 Telecom.…