ACCAN has responded to the draft report published by the ACCC on the public inquiry on the access determination for the domestic mobile terminating access service (MTAS). The purpose of the inquiry was to set an appropriate price that mobile network operators can charge for calls terminating on their mobile networks.
The ACCC carried out a benchmarking exercise which sought to estimate the current cost of providing MTAS in Australia by comparing the cost of providing the service in various countries and applying it to an Australian context. ACCAN supports the methodology used in the benchmarking exercise which produced a range for the estimated cost of supplying MTAS in Australia, but questions aspects of the approach taken by the ACCC.
ACCAN is committed to promoting and advancing digital inclusion, with particular focus on issues relating to the affordability and accessibility of services.
While our work on digital inclusion continues to evolve, this area of enduring policy work is aimed at supporting consumers that may face greater barriers to being digitally included. These include, but are not limited to, people with disability; regional, rural and remote consumers; First Nations Australians; and issues impacting young consumers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and older Australians.
Some current issues in this policy priority include the affordability of broadband services and devices; access to suitable communications in regional, rural and remote Australia and remote First Nations communities; and the accessibility of communications services and devices for people with disability.
For over 10 years, Gunela was National Coordinator of TEDICORE (Telecommunications and Disability Consumer Representation) ensuring that people with disability participated in policy and standards development to improve telecommunications accessibility. During this time she represented consumers on many bodies including the Consumer Representation Committee which established ACCAN. After assisting with the foundation of ACCAN and being on the inaugural staff team managing disability policy and research, Gunela ran GSA InfoComm. Since 2010 she has continued to support ACCAN as an individual member attending many ACCAN events and conferences. She has also undertaken several ACCAN Grants and Research projects which have led to significant policy reforms. Gunela’s commitment to inclusion and equitable access to telecommunications and technology goes back over many years of active work both nationally and internationally. While Gunela has held many auspicious roles, she continues to be involved with ACCAN member organisations including Internet Australia and Women With Disabilities Australia. Gunela is often called upon to review key international policy documents and volunteers her time to participate on international Internet committees and groups. There is no question that she has made a huge contribution to more accessible communications services here in Australia and around the world.
ACCAN has developed a service to assist seniors and people with disability to find phones, tablets, accessories and apps that can help them communicate with others. This service is called Accessible Telecoms.
ACCAN OBJECTIVES
From section 3.1 of the ACCAN Constitution:
- to be a peak body in Australia representing the interests of consumers in relation to communications and telecommunications issues;
- to promote the telecommunications consumer objectives of accessibility, affordability and availability to all consumers;
- to promote the development of Australian information and communications technology resources;
- to develop a strong, coordinated voice for consumers and to represent and advocate on behalf of consumers to Government, regulators and the telecommunications industry;
- to undertake research, policy development and education on consumer telecommunications issues;
- to facilitate access to and dissemination of information to consumers, consumer representatives and consumer organisations;
- to advocate on behalf of consumers on telecommunications laws affecting consumers, law reform, policy development and in relation to industry practices;
- to participate in regulatory and co-regulatory activities; and
- to contribute to the development of Government telecommunications policy.
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ACCAN has put together a list of options to help you access more affordable devices. Select the state you are in and the type of device you are looking for to see what's available. Most offer refurbished devices at a reduced cost, but some provide new or free devices.
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ACCAN is pleased to announce we held the ACCAN 2023 Communications Consumer Congress at the Aerial UTS Function Centre in Sydney on Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th September 2023.
The Congress was headlined by keynote addresses from Gerard Brody and Commissioner Angelene Falk. Panel discussions featured leading community voices, academics and industry figures, and ACCAN's executive team updated guests on our recent work and emerging issues. A transcript and audio of the event will be available on the following page shortly.
To those who attended, thank you for joining us at the Congress as we strive to achieve ACCAN’s vision of communications services that are trusted, inclusive, accessible, and available for all.