The backlash by industry groups against long-overdue data breach reporting laws would be worrying if it wasn’t so predictable.

Read more: Data breach law essential to protect individuals

Registrations are now open for the M-Enabling Australasia 2013 conference and showcase being held in Sydney on 14th and 15th August. This international event will feature a stellar line up of speakers and showcase new products and services that enable people with disability and older people to make the most of mobile technologies.

Read more: Registrations open for M-Enabling Australasia 2013

The 2011 round of the ACCAN Grants Scheme opens today with $250,000 in funding to support consumer research, representation, or education projects related to communications in Australia.  The peak communications group says eligible community organisations, research bodies and individuals looking to fund communications projects can apply for funding of up to $60,000.

Read more: ACCAN Grants Scheme opens with $250,000 for community projects

Peak communications consumer body ACCAN says the findings from the $25 million National Broadband Network (NBN) Implementation Study offers good news for Australians, who could pay prices comparable to today’s retail costs in exchange for higher speed broadband with higher download limits, provided there is vigorous competition in the retail market.

Read more: Study finds Australians could pay less and get more from NBN

The 2012 Round of the ACCAN Grants Scheme opens today with $250,000 in funding available for consumer-focused telecommunications research and consumer education or advocacy tools.

Now in its third year, the ACCAN Grants Scheme funds projects that help to work towards the organisation’s vision of affordable communications services for all Australians.

Read more: $250,000 for telecommunications research & tools for consumers

Now is the time to register for the first M-Enabling initiative in the southern hemisphere, M-Enabling Australasia 2013, being held on 14-15 August in Sydney.

Why come along? This is the perfect opportunity for consumers, app developers, manufacturers, mobile service providers, government and other users to share their ideas and learn how smartphones and tablets can be made accessible for people with disability and older consumers – a relatively untapped market of millions of people.

Read more: Only 1 month until M-Enabling 2013

Welcome to our collection of the latest news and current affairs that impact communications consumers. 

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In late November ACCAN’s Indigenous policy officer, Michael Charlton, took part in a fieldtrip to central Australia as part of the ongoing Home Internet for Remote Indigenous Communities project.

Read more: Internet in remote Indigenous communities

ACCAN is pleased to announce its Board of Directors for 2010-2011. In accordance with the ACCAN Constitution the ACCAN Board (the Board) will consist of nine (9) elected Directors.

Read more: ACCAN Board for 2010-11

ACCAN is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Standing Advisory Committees, Ms Karin Ness and Ms Catherine Clark. ACCAN has two Standing Advisory Committees: the Standing Advisory Committee on Consumer Affairs (SACCA), and Standing Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (SACDI). The Committees' members provide guidance and expertise on current and emerging communications issues affecting consumers.

Read more: ACCAN Standing Advisory Committee members announced

Last month we hosted the first-ever ACCAN National Conference and Consumer Summit at the State Library of Victoria. ACCAN would like to thank the 150 delegates who attended for an exciting, inspiring and thought-provoking two days.

Read more: Conference materials now available

A new report and advocacy toolkit has just been published that calls for better access to affordable and available communications technologies for people with disability as well as a more open opportunity to enter the workplace.

Read more: Accessible ICT and government purchasing power: why it matters