The ACMA Communications Report 2010-11 was released today. This major piece of research provides a snapshot of the communications services available and the preferences of Australian consumers. Here’s some key statistics that may be of interest to ACCAN members:

Read more: Communications in 2010-11

A reminder to ACCAN members that nominations for Directors to fill six vacancies on the ACCAN Board close at 5pm next Monday 1st October. Newly elected Board members at the 2012 AGM will sit for a two-year term until the Annual General Meeting in 2014.

Read more: Reminder: board nominations close next Monday 1st October

If you have a problem with a mobile phone handset or other piece of telecommunications equipment don’t ignore it.

Under Australia’s new consumer laws, if you buy a product and it is faulty you have the right to take it back to where you bought it and ask the business to fix the problem. The same applies if you engage a service and it is not provided to an appropriate standard.

Read more: Use your rights: Repair, Replace, Refund

At some time in the near future you’re likely to use a ‘1800’ or ‘13’ telephone service to make a complaint, access essential financial or legal advice or just order a pizza. ACCAN has launched a campaign to ensure you're able to access these numbers.

Read more: Join us in the crusade! ACCAN's free call campaign

ACCAN argued that work on NBN performance standards is urgently required at the NBN Joint Committee hearing on Friday 19th April in Sydney. The NBN Joint Committee comes together every six months to inquire into the NBN rollout and is comprised of 16 parliamentary members including Rob Oakeshott MP, Malcolm Turnbull MP and Senator Scott Ludlam, among others.

Read more: NBN Performance Standards needed

ACCAN is delighted to announce the full speaker program for M-Enabling Australasia 2013 being held on August 14-15 in Sydney. A wealth of local and international experts on accessibility and mobile technologies will feature at the conference, which will highlight why people with disability and older people have been missing out on the mobile revolution and how this can be fixed.

Read more: Full speaker program for M-Enabling Australasia 2013

Once every three years the Department of Broadband, Communications & the Digital Economy (DBCDE) undertakes a Regional Telecommunications Review, which considers whether people in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia have equitable access to telecommunications.

If your organisation is based in regional Australia, or you live in regional Australia, we’d love to hear your views via this short survey by 4 November 2011.

Read more: Have your say: Regional Telecommunications Review

A lively two-day event being held in Alice Springs this Thursday and Friday (26^th-27^th July) will focus on the unique communications needs of people living and working in remote Australia and how best to deliver them. The event will include representatives from Federal, state and territory governments, NBN Co, members of the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee, community organisations, researchers and technical specialists.

Read more: ACCAN part of Broadband for the Bush Forum in Alice Springs

The global organisation representing consumer groups, Consumers International, is asking Australians to be part of their project aimed at holding internet service providers to account. You can help by taking part in the 10-minute online survey so we can see how Australia compares to the rest of the world for broadband services.

Read more: Tell the world about your broadband service

We've been advocating for available, accessible and affordable communications in the lead up to the September election, discussing our current policy priority wish list with politicians from all major parties:

Read more: ACCAN’s Election 2013 Wish List

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has called for new rules that require consumers to give their consent before receiving any kind of mobile premium service.

Read more: ACCAN supports default barring of MPS

The Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) have begun the exciting and challenging mission of  rebuilding their website www.acma.gov.au and they're looking for your help.

Read more: Have your say on the regulator's new website