Optus has scrapped plans to appoint an independent consumer advocate announced after the telecoms giant was sued for selling unneeded products to vulnerable customers, ultimately paying a $100 million fine.

ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett told the AFR that that, while advocates could help reshape a poor corporate culture, it was more important to talk directly to consumers.

In an opinion piece for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media, ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett writes that the Federal Budget is under pressure, the global economic outlook is volatile and cost-of-living pressures continue to hammer Australian families. And yet the communications regulator is proposing the federal government on a policy approach which could forgo up to $3.2 billion in revenue.

Spectrum is the invisible highway which powers our communications services - and it is a public asset worth billions.

Instead of holding a spectrum auction as we have done for decades and in keeping with international best practice, the regulator wants to roll over existing licences, giving major telco players a significant advantage, leaving Aussie taxpayers out of pocket an estimated $2–3.2 billion, and hampering competition and innovation.

ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett spoke to ABC News to unpack what’s at stake.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is proposing renewing spectrum licences for up to $3.2 billion less than they were initially bought for.

In this ABC piece, ACCAN argues that an auction would provide a better return for taxpayers, and a renewal of licences would entrench the dominance of current players.