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ACCAN's submission to the Government's review of Telstra retail price controls says it is too early in the NBN rollout to remove regulation on prices charged for basics like phone calls. 

ACCAN has recommended that the ACMA work towards a system that automatically provides location information to Emergency Service Operators when consumers call from a landline, mobile or VoIP phone.

In our submission to this Inquiry into Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Bill 2012, ACCAN has raised a number of concerns regarding credit reporting arrangements, relay services and cross-border disclosure arrangements.

This submission focuses on the consumer interests related to the technical evolution of digital terrestrial television broadcasting. This includes ensuring that all Australia’s free-to-air (FTA) television broadcasters are able to provide the accessibility features Australians need in order to benefit from digital television.

New research demonstrates that the Australian Communications and Media Authority's plan to make mobile calls to freephone (1800) numbers free and local rate (13/1300) numbers cost 22 cents is in the best interest of consumers.

In establishing ACCAN in 2009, the government committed to conduct a performance review after two years of operation. ACCAN welcomes this Mid-Term Review as it provides a valuable opportunity to examine and improve on the important representation, advocacy, research and grants work we undertake.
 

In this submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry into the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Bill 2012, ACCAN comments on some aspects of the Credit Reporting Schedule and makes recommendations regarding how privacy matters should be handled. 

On 18 November 2011, the Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Senator the Hon Kate Lundy, announced the establishment of an independent panel of eminent community leaders to conduct an inquiry into Australian Government services to ensure they are responsive to the needs of Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

ACCAN's submission focuses on the need to include access to interpreting services for people with disability and people who are Deaf, and also encourages the Australian Government to make information accessible to Deaf people by providing online Auslan translations. 

A submission by ACCAN to the Australian Communications and Media Authority regarding the Telecommunications (Emergency Call Service) Amendment Determination (2009).

ACCAN believes that, by mandating the provision of location information for emergency calls from mobile phones, the Amendment is likely to result in better outcomes for the many people in Australia who use a mobile phone to make emergency calls.

ACCAN comments on the Bills establishing the new Telecommunications Universal Service Management Agency (TUSMA) and creating a framework for the competitive supply of universal services. 

ACCAN argues that access to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is an important element to achieving an adequate standard of living and social inclusion, a key human rights goal. 

Tough measures are needed to ensure that Telstra treats competitors fairly and to ensure the migration of consumers to the NBN is done fairly.

The improved measures in the draft Mobile Premium Services (MPS) Code are a step in the right direction for consumers but new Code rules are weakened by the Code’s weak approach to compliance monitoring and enforcement.

ACCAN's submission to the Convergence Review highlights three key issues for reform: telecommunications co-regulation - also known as the smurfberry problem; moving from voice-centric to connectivity-centric regulation; and strengthening accessibility standards in broadcasting.

Most of us take for granted that we can use any communications device – land-line, mobile or internet – to connect to people, services and help. But the reality is that a significant number of Australians can’t use regular products and services because of illness, disability or other impairment. Inclusive Communications is ACCAN's submission to the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE)'s Review of Access to Telecommunication Services by People with Disability, Older Australians and People Experiencing Illness.

Payphones are an important public resource. Further to our submission on the Consumer Safeguard Instruments for payphone repairs, removals and installations, we ask the ACMA to keep rigorous records so we know what kind of problems people are encountering with payphones.

ACCAN argues that a guiding principle for the Convergence Review should be that the broadest range of devices, services and content should be accessible to people with disabilities.

Payphones are an important public resource that helps us to connect. ACCAN has submitted comments about the Consumer Safeguard Instruments for payphone repairs, removals and installations to make sure they work in the interest of consumers.

ACCAN recommends that issues relating to social inclusion in the context of information communication technologies (ICT) should be addressed in the Human Rights Baseline Study and provides examples of statistical data that should be collected to measure this.

ACCAN argues that the Universal Service Obligation (USO) legislative framework must include obligations to provide the infrastructure that will ensure universal access for all Australians to communications services. We also urge a review of the definition of universal service.

ACCAN argues that financial penalties should be mandatory if telcos seriously under perform on their Customer Service Guarantee (CSG) obligations.

ACCAN supports in principle the Commission’s finding that the current disability support system in Australia is fractured and in need of transformation.


ACCAN broadly welcomes the draft recommendations stemming from the Australian Communication & Media Authority’s Reconnecting the Customer (‘RTC’) Draft Report, which follows the lifecycle of a consumer’s relationship with a telecommunications service provider from advertising, to point of sale, through to customer service, credit management and complaints-handling. 

ACCAN speaks up for people who are denied the option of an ADSL internet service because Telstra provides them with an "interim" wireless phone instead of a regular copper connection.

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