Download: Universal Service Obligation (USO) tip sheet23.95 KB

Download: Universal Service Obligation (USO) tip sheet2.63 MB

What is the telco Universal Service Obligation (USO)?

It means that you have the right to a standard fixed landline phone service provided by Telstra, regardless of where you live or work.

Read more: Universal Service Obligation (USO)

Download: Avoiding big charges for 13 number calls48.74 KB

Download: Avoiding big charges for 13 number calls334.99 KB

Some long expiry pre-paid and pay as you go mobile plans charge for 13 number calls by the minute. These plans may not be good value if you often call 13 numbers and you may find your credit gets used up quickly.

Here are some plans that charge for 13 number calls by duration (note: there may be other plans on the market that charge for these calls as well):

Read more: Avoiding big charges for 13 number calls

Some phone numbers and text services cost you more than you expect. Always check what numbers are included, and which ones you pay extra for.

• Premium SMS (e.g. a ringtone or weekly horoscope)
  
  
• Expensive numbers (e.g. directory services from your mobile or 1900 lines)
  
  
• Purchases from inside Apps
  
  
• Credit Transfers between friends
  
  
• Data usage (using the internet)
  
  
• "Free" Apps that have lots of advertising
  
  

More information on these services can be found on the LawStuff website.

The three biggest telcos have spend and usage tools to help you know how much of the different types of services you are using.

Read more: What spend and usage tools are available?

Some providers have special deals available for people in special circumstances. Here are the ones we've heard of.

Telstra

InContact

InContact is a free limited service that offers incoming calls but restricts outgoing calls. Telstra customer service, service difficulties and fault numbers can be called.

PhoneAway Card

Telstra's prepaid calling card allows guests to make calls on a pre-paid basis, with the flexibility of being able to use the card from almost anywhere.

Sponsored Access Program

This aims to provide a phone service for people who seek shelter within emergency accommodation (one service only per property).

Telstra Bill Assistance Program

The program is designed to assist specific householders in maintaining access to a telephone service when difficulties arise.

CentrePay

CentrePay is a direct deduction facility offered by Centrelink to customers, who may choose to pay some household bills and other essential services.

Home Phone Budget

Home Phone Budget offers has a line rental plan that provides a relatively lower line rental price than standard services with higher call prices. It is designed for Telstra residential customers with just one fixed line service who make very few calls.

Download: How to use less data on your smartphone60.5 KB

Download: How to use less data on your smartphone124.99 KB

Smartphones can chew through your data allowance without you realising it. This can be because data-hungry apps are left open or simply due to default settings on your phone.

It can be very expensive if you go over your monthly data allowance. Our blog post on excess mobile data charges outlines what some of the telcos charge for going over your mobile data allowance.

Read more: How to use less data on your smartphone

Download: Hidden costs in free apps  57.5 KB 

Download: Hidden costs in free apps  334.2 KB 

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.

Read more: Hidden costs in free apps

Download: Received an unexpectedly high bill56.5 KB

Download: Received an unexpectedly high bill319.78 KB

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.

Read more: Received an unexpectedly high bill?

What are your rights?

Network outage? No service? Call failure?

• If you have been disadvantaged or lost money due to a phone or internet outage, you might be able to claim compensation.
• Compensation should make up for your loss.
• For example, if your internet is out for one week you could ask for your money back for that week. You may be able to claim for costs incurred, like getting your internet fixed or using extra mobile data.

  Read more: Telecommunications compensation

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Download: Credit Reporting72.5 KB

Download: Credit Reporting817.83 KB

What is credit reporting?

Credit reporting is used by organisations to help decide whether or not they are willing to lend money to a particular person. Credit providers and credit reporting agencies are the main organisations involved in credit reporting. Credit providers are businesses such as banks, car loan  companies and telecommunications service providers that lend money or provide credit to their customers.

Credit providers send information about your debts to private companies called credit reporting agencies (CRAs). There are three main CRAs in Australia:

• Veda: www.veda.com.au
• Dun and Bradstreet: dnb.com.au
  
• Experian: www.experian.com.au

Read more: Credit reporting

Download: Understanding your broadband options.docx118.5 KB

Download: Understanding your broadband options.pdf383.84 KB

With so many options on the market it can be confusing and challenging to choose a broadband service that suits your business. The information below aims to help you understand the available broadband options for small businesses so you can make the best choice for the operational needs of your business.

What products are available?

The product you choose should be the one that best matches your usage requirements. If your business operates in a single location and only needs the internet for email and a small amount of web browsing, then a standard consumer grade retail plan will be fine. However, if your needs are more complex or you have a high demand for reliable high speed services then it may be worth engaging someone to do a full assessment of your telecommunications needs on a commercial basis.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technologies are the most commonly available broadband connection type in Australia today. DSL enables high speed data transmission over copper wire telephone lines. DSL comes in a range of types according to upload and download data rates, often referred to as the 'speed.' The actual performance will also depend on how long the copper wires are between your premises and the service provider's equipment as well as the quality of those wires.

Read more: Understanding your options for broadband connection

Download: Which broadband product is right for my business.docx61.82 KB

Download: Which broadband product is right for my business.pdf336.92 KB

There are a range of different options available to small businesses when it comes to broadband. This tip sheet outlines the questions a small business owner should ask when choosing a broadband product.

When trying to decide which broadband product is right for your business, consider:

• Which types of broadband services are available? For information on the services that may be available to you, access our brochure: Understanding your options for broadband connection.
  
  
• What type of service would best suit the needs of the business in terms of speed, mobility and monthly data allowance? Refer to your broadband bills from the last 6-12 months to calculate your typical usage.
  
  
• Do you need both phone and broadband services? If so, consider the option of bundling (getting all the services from the same provider). You might also want to include mobile services in this bundle. This could save you money but make sure that all the services meet your needs otherwise you could end up spending more than you need to.
  
  
• Do you need to upload a lot of data? For example if you are operating a video streaming service or other content rich business.

  Read more: Which broadband product is right for my business?

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