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Boy using mobile devicesDownload: docHidden costs in free apps  57.5 KB 

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While some games or apps cost nothing to download on our smartphones or tablets, they often contain extra elements you can purchase within the game, known as “in-app purchases.” It is easy to make in-app purchases with many parents reporting that their children are buying things within games, not realising that they cost their parents real money through their iTunes, Google Play or Amazon account.

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Download: docMy home broadband is slow or unreliable57 KB

Download: pdfMy home broadband is slow or unreliable301.81 KB

Many factors can affect the quality of your broadband connection. This can include the quality of the wiring to your home or your equipment inside the home. Read ACCAN’s tip sheet for more information on this.

If you cannot use the internet in the way you need to due to poor speeds or connection problems, you should:

  1. Do an online speed test to compare your home internet speed to your retail service provider’s (RSP) advertised speeds. Keep records of the speeds you get and how many drop outs occur if your service is unreliable.

  2. Contact your RSP and clearly state that you want to make a complaint about slow speeds or an unreliable service.

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ACCAN has made a submission in support of a data breach notification law in response to a consultation by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department. A mandatory data breach notification law would provide greater information to consumers about the security of their personal information, and provide an incentive for organisations to improve their security practices.

ACCAN has made a submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission arguing that copyright law needs to be made fairer and easier for consumers to understand.

This document presents findings from a quantitative investigation into consumer experiences, perceptions and concerns in the communications market.

ACCAN has been asked to nominate two consumer representatives to sit on the Communications Compliance Advisory Committee. Communications Compliance is a newly formed company established to monitor telecommunication industry compliance with the recently approved Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code.

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Do you want quality captions on TV?

Do you watch TV with closed captions turned on? How often have you given up trying to follow a television program because the captions were too confusing? Have you ever wanted to have the power to make captions better for yourself and other people who rely on them?

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More than 60 disability and consumer advocacy organisations and thousands of individuals nationwide have supported the campaign for a permanent audio description service on television.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has just concluded the first-ever Australian trial of a television audio description service, which ran for 13 weeks on ABC1.

ACCAN would like to invite our members, financial counsellors and others to attend a "Your Rights" workshop being hosted by ACCAN Chief Executive, Teresa Corbin. Ms Corbin will explain what rights Australian phone and internet customers in relation to common issues such as bill shock, mobile phone and internet contracts and how to make an effective complaint.

National Telework Week is running from 12 to 16 November 2012. Telework is working regularly from a place other than the office, in most cases from a home office. During National Telework Week businesses are encouraged to trial telework by allowing their employees to work remotely for one or more days during the week and register their involvement online.

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Peak consumer group ACCAN says annual report data released by the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) today shows the number of customers who have gone to the TIO about an unexpectedly high bill has doubled over the past year.

Young woman upset at receiving high billDownload: docReceived an unexpectedly high bill56.5 KB

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Many phone providers have a limit on how many calls you can make, texts you can send and data you can use each month. If you go over your limit you could be charged extra fees. These fees can be very expensive and it is best to avoid going over your limit if you can. See our tip sheet on how to avoid smartphone bill shock for more information.

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