Communications Archives - Consumers' Federation of Australia

4 December , 2023

Universal Service Obligations – Have Your Say in the Future of Communication

The current USO only provides consumers with a right to a standard telephone service. A standard telephone service refers to a landline (home phone) connection many of us grew up with, and must provide access to local, national and international calls, untimed local calls, and free access to emergency service numbers.

These services are essential, and for many individuals residing in regional, rural, and remote areas they are a reliable and trusted lifeline during natural disasters and emergencies.

However, communications technology and public expectations have changed since the USO was introduced, and USO reform may provide opportunities to get a better deal for consumers and ensure more reliable and robust services.

30 October , 2023

Initial Report and Recommendations from the First Nations Digital Inclusion Published

Digital inclusion is a deeply complex issue, with access, affordability and digital ability all playing a role in the extent to which First Nations people and communities are digitally included.

Digital inclusion enables a range of benefits, including supporting economic participation, access to government services, social connectedness, and enjoyment of entertainment and leisure activities.

25 October , 2023

ACMA consults on new protections for telco consumers in financial hardship

The proposed standard will apply to all carriage service providers who deal with residential, small business and not-for-profit customers. It will enhance protections for telco customers who are (or may be) experiencing financial hardship through the provision of information and appropriate financial support to help them meet their payment obligations and remain connected to essential telco services.

The standard must be made by 15 February 2024 and commence by 29 March 2024.

We invite submissions on the draft Telecommunications (Financial Hardship) Industry Standard 2024 by 5 pm (AEDT) on Friday 24 November 2023.

18 October , 2023

New NBN Regulations “places consumers at the heart”

“[1]t’s critical that consumer groups are resourced to genuinely engage with NBN and industry on these critical matters that impact our daily lives. Living up to this promise is key to driving greater value for consumers and NBN over the life of the SAU”.

30 June , 2023

ACCAN Awards Seven New Communications Consumer Grants

Australia’s peak communications consumer advocacy group, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), has today announced 7 projects that it will fund through the 2023 Round of its Independent Grants Program.

1 June , 2023

eSafety Commissioner Accepts Some, Rejects Others in World-First Industry Codes

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has made the decision not to register two of eight online safety codes drafted by the online industry as they fail to provide appropriate community safeguards to deal with illegal and harmful content online.

27 June , 2018

ACMA invites consumer reps to join key telco forum

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) invites applications from consumer organisations to join its key telco consumer advisory group—the Consumer Consultative Forum (CCF). ‘Communications services are increasingly central to Australia’s economic and social wellbeing. We want to better understand the consumers’ needs in the contemporary and future communications environment’ ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin. The…

8 February , 2017

ACCAN urges Government to allocate budget funds to mobile expansion, USO and broadband monitoring

In its Pre-Budget Submission for the 2017-18 Budget, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has urged the Federal Government to allocate funding to telecommunications initiatives that will benefit consumers. ACCAN’s recommendations include ongoing funding for the Mobile Black Spot Program, ongoing funding to ensure that the Universal Service Obligation (USO) continues until new safeguards…

5 December , 2016

ACCAN: New Coalition formed to end the data drought

A group of like-minded advocacy groups have come together to end the data drought by forming the Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition to champion better communications services for consumers and small businesses living in rural, remote or regional areas. The Coalition includes the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), the…

7 July , 2016

Defining Consumer Protection in the Digital Age

Robin Simpson, Consumers International’s (CI) Senior Policy Adviser, recently represented CI at the OECD Ministerial Meeting on The digital economy innovation, growth and social prosperity which took place in Cancun, Mexico. He spoke at the Civil Society Forum convened by the OECD Civil Society information Society Advisory Council (CSISAC) and in the main agenda panel…

1 July , 2016

ACCAN media release: low-income earners face telecommunication exclusion

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) and Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) have collaborated in a effort to push the Federal Government to help low-income consumers have better access to telecommunication services, an ACCAN media release reports. New data has revealed that people who are on a minimal income…