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Telecommunications are a vital service for victim-survivors of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV), who often need assistance from their provider to retain a safe and affordable service. In contrast, communication services can also be used to facilitate DFV, which can lead to considerable consumer detriment. Current codes and guidelines do not effectively support and protect consumers or promote uniformity in the communications industry.
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) recommends the Minister for Communications implement direct regulation via a service provider determination to support consumers affected by DFV.1 Protections for consumers experiencing or at risk of DFV must be enforceable via direct regulation noting the material risks to personal safety that consumers affected by DFV may face when their access to essential communications services is disrupted or interfered with.
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The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has welcomed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) acceptance of NBN Co’s Special Access Undertaking (SAU) Variation.
The SAU sets out the rules by which NBN Co provides wholesale access to retailers. It will determine the price and quality of voice and broadband services delivered over the NBN until 2040.
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ACCAN recently submitted to the Department of Social Services (the Department) on the National Housing and Homelessness Plan (the Plan). ACCAN recommended that the Plan consider digital inclusion to facilitate the active and equal participation of people experiencing housing precarity and suggested the Department:
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ACCAN recently submitted to the ACCC 2023 Strategic Review – Compliance and Enforcement Priorities 2023-24. ACCAN supports the ACCC maintaining the following priorities into 2024-2025:
Read more: ACCC 2023 Strategic Review – Compliance and Enforcement Priorities 2023-24
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The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has welcomed the findings of the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO)’s latest Annual Report showing that complaint numbers have declined notably in the last 12 months.
TIO data published today demonstrates a 16.5% reduction in complaints in 2022-23 compared with the previous year. While this is a welcome trend, mobile service complaints now account for 48% of all complaints lodged with the Ombudsman, and are proportionally at their highest level in over six years.
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ACCAN is committed to advancing accessibility for all consumers. This theme will focus on progressing the Ideal Accessible Communications Roadmap in partnership with our members and the broader disability sector to deliver a fully accessible communications sector.
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This theme will focus on emerging issues and trends in the use of communications technologies to cause consumer harm. The intent of this theme is to identify emerging issues and support the development of forward-looking policy settings.
Building on research undertaken by ACCAN grant recipients this theme will focus on the development of policy principles and settings that limit the use of communications technologies for consumer harm, including coercive and abusive behaviour.
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This theme will examine the barriers to getting and staying connected for renters, people experiencing homelessness and those residing in supported accommodation, retirement villages and social, community, affordable or public housing.
Building on historic work undertaken by ACCAN this theme will focus on the development of policy proposals to improve the digital inclusion of consumers regardless of where they live.
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ACCAN recently provided comments on Communications Alliance’s Draft G651:2023 Customer Authorisation Industry Guideline (the Draft Guideline). ACCAN welcomes the efforts of Communications Alliance to incorporate previous ACCAN feedback into the Draft Guideline. ACCAN’s submission also identifies gaps in the Draft Guideline that limit equitable access to a Customer Authorisation for Customers with disability.
Read more: Draft G651:2023 Customer Authorisation Industry Guideline
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Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the ACCAN will be held at the ACCAN office, WeWork, 320 Pitt Street, Sydney or via Zoom, on Thursday 12th October 2023 from 4.00pm.
ACCAN AGM
Date: Thursday 12 October 2023
Time: 4.00pm (AEDT)
Venue: Hybrid Meeting via Zoom or at the ACCAN office, WeWork, 320 Pitt Street, Sydney – Please register from here by 10 October 2023
Read more: Notice of ACCAN Annual General Meeting (Hybrid Meeting)
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