The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has conducted a second-round of consultation on the Emergency Call Service (ECS) Determination. A draft ECS Determination 2019 was provided for comment, in which a number of changes have been made based on the results of the first consultation process (completed in November 2018). It also outlines options for a trial of alternative call handling methods for SIM-less calls to the ECS.

ACCAN made a submission to this second-round consultation process. We reiterated some of the points we raised in our November 2018 submission, and also made the following recommendations:

• As the ECS Determination is now technology neutral and next generation Triple Zero initiatives can more easily be implemented, non-voice methods of contacting the ECS should be prioritised to improve the accessibility for people who are Deaf, Deafblind or have hearing or speech impairment.
• The alternative call handling trial for SIM-less calls to the ECS must capture as much information as possible to ensure that the impact of genuine and non-genuine SIM-less calls can be appropriately assessed.
• There must be greater transparency regarding the alternative call handling trial, including more information about the trial length and the call handling option to be implemented.
• Consumers and consumer organisations must be consulted and informed about the implementation of the alternative call handling trial for SIM-less calls to the ECS.
• Call handling option one must be removed as an option within the ECS Determination 2019, as this method may be inaccessible for people who are Deaf, Deafblind or have hearing impairment.

Download: ECS Determination 2019807.1 KB
Download: ECS Determination 2019588.64 KB