Broadband for the Bush Alliance

Grant round: 2017-18

Amount: $51,005

Read more: Internet and telecommunications services in rural Australia – an evidence based approach

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) Indigenous Steering Committee has called for investments in First Nations co-designed local solutions and dedicated funding for more digital skills training in a submission to the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA)’s Indigenous Digital Inclusion Plan Discussion Paper.

Established after ACCAN’s 2021 Indigenous Advisory Forum, the Indigenous Steering Committee guides ACCAN’s work so that it is genuinely representative of the interests of First Nations peoples.

Read more: Indigenous Digital Inclusion Efforts Must Be First Nations Led and Adequately Funded

Mobile devices - Western Australia

ACCAN recently submitted to a consultation on the NBN Special Access Undertaking Variation: Response to ACCC Draft Decision – Modified Pricing Options.

In our submission ACCAN expressed our qualified support for the proposed pricing framework. We noted that:

Read more: NBN SAU variation: Floor and Ceiling Modified Pricing Options

In 2012 ACCAN produced its first national survey to support campaigning and advocacy. The survey investigated consumer experiences, perceptions and concerns amongst Australians aged 18 year or more. In 2013 ACCAN commissioned McNair Ingenuity Research to conduct a follow-up survey utilising many of the same questions as the previous year to allow us to track changes in the market.

Read more: ACCAN 2013 National Survey

University of New South Wales, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications

Grant round: 2016

Amount: $50,000

Read more: Inside job - Security and privacy threats for smart-home IoT devices

At ACCAN, issues relating to accessibility have always been at the forefront of our policy and consumer education efforts. After celebrating our 10th birthday and reflecting upon the positive changes that we had successfully advocated for, we started contemplating what accessibility improvements ACCAN would like to see in the communications sector in 2020 and beyond. We considered the existing communications issues affecting people with disability and wondered what issues may arise in the future.

From this, ACCAN started developing an Ideal Accessible Communications Roadmap in consultation with the disability sector. Towards the end of 2019 and the start of 2020, we sought feedback from a range of organisations supporting people with disability. We asked about the top three communications issues that were currently affecting people with disability, the top three communications issues that contributors thought would affect people with disability in the future, and suggestions for possible solutions to address these existing and anticipated communications issues. Through email conversations, phone calls and group brainstorming sessions, we received responses from 35 organisations, including Disabled Peoples Organisations, advocacy groups and disability service providers, as well as nine individuals with disability who offered their own personal insights of their lived experience.

Read more: The future is accessible

Households struggling with the cost of connectivity would benefit from the introduction of new rules that would make it mandatory for telcos to offer a low-income product, according to the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). The recommendation for new regulatory requirements comes as the peak body for communications consumers releases new research which examines the effectiveness of the telecommunication industry’s programs and offers aimed at assisting people on low incomes to stay connected.

Read more: New report highlights need for government and industry action on telco affordability

Mobile devices - New South Wales

ACCAN has recently (Aug 2023), provided feedback on the Government’s Draft Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill.

The Bill provides the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) with reserve powers to ensure that digital platform services are working to protect Australians against harm from online mis and disinformation.

Read more: Draft Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill

From workshops with members of the Deaf community, consultation with experts, and literature research, the WA Deaf Society, supported by a grant from ACCAN, created accessible videos showing people how to avoid romance scams, lottery scams, credit card scams, and other scams on the Internet and produced a short report. 

Read more: Internet scams: how to protect yourself

Australian National University, Research School of Management

In partnership with IDCare, and the University of the Sunshine Coast, Centre for Human Factors & Sociotechnical Systems.

Grant round: 2016

Amount: $44,965.50

Read more: Understanding Consumer Identity Theft Risks Across Communications Media

ACCAN wants to hear about your experience with your ADSL internet service.

ADSL stands for ‘asymmetric digital subscriber line’. ADSL is a broadband internet connection delivered through the same copper wiring that your home phone may use. The ACCC are soon to begin an inquiry into whether Telstra should continue to provide access to wholesale ADSL services on request. The outcome of the ACCC inquiry could impact price and retail choice of ADSL services for regional, rural and remote consumers.

Read more: Do you use an ADSL broadband connection?

Further investments to promote greater choice and availability for mobile phone users as well as improving the reliability and affordability of telecommunications services are vital to ensuring regional Australians are guaranteed access to essential telecommunications services, according to the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN).

The recommendations come from the peak body for communications consumers’ submission to the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review. This triannual process examines the telecommunications landscape in regional, rural, and remote Australia to identify paths for improvement.  

Read more: Further action needed for regional Australia to stay connected

Mobile Devices - Australian Capital Territory

ACCAN recently commented on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s March 2024 report on data brokers issues paper. The report is the most recent investigation by the regulator as part of the Digital Platform Services Inquiry.

Read more: Digital Platform Services Inquiry – March 2024 report on data brokers issues paper

New research from the University of Melbourne and Swinburne University has found that 82% of households in the NBN first release site of Brunswick, Victoria, think the NBN is a good idea.

Read more: Broadbanding Brunswick

University of Sydney, Charles Perkins Centre

Grant round: 2016

Amount: $59,842.30

Read more: Finding peace of mind: Navigating the marketplace of mental health apps

As the peak body for rural and remote health in Australia, the National Rural Health Alliance has been a vocal supporter of telehealth and the many benefits that it can bring, especially for those outside of metropolitan areas.

In the wake of COVID-19, we spoke to Dr Gabrielle O’Kane, CEO of the National Rural Health Alliance to hear about how people in regional, rural and remote Australia were adapting to telehealth and what the future may hold for this technology-driven approach to healthcare.

Read more: Interview with Dr Gabrielle O’Kane, CEO of the National Rural Health Alliance

ACCAN welcomes the news of the launch of DIGI’s Misinformation and Disinformation Complaints Portal, which implements the commitments made by signatories to the Australian Disinformation and Misinformation Code of Practice.

While the Complaints Portal represents a step in the right direction for limiting the spread of mis- and disinformation on digital platforms, we do have some concerns however regarding the accessibility of the Complaints Portal for consumers.

Read more: ACCAN Comments on DIGI Misinformation Complaints Portal

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) recently commented on phase two of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2026 Census topic consultation. ACCAN is disappointed by the ABS’ decision not to proceed with the topic of ‘internet access and use, including digital literacy’. 

ACCAN believes the collection of national data on household internet access, use and digital literacy is critical towards understanding how Australian households get and stay connected online. It is also critical for addressing barriers to digital inclusion for First Nations communities and people with disability.

Read more: 2026 Census Topic Consultation: Phase Two

The Mobile Matters report by project coordinator Leo Fieldgrass details the findings from a year-long youth participatory action research and advocacy program that involved over 100 Melbourne VCAL students. The student researchers documented the challenges faced by them and their peers and made recommendations to industry for changes to better support young consumers.

Students from the Youth Advocates Project by the Brotherhood of St Laurence have a clear message for telcos and regulators: "We want you to understand what it's like to be a young mobile consumer: we don't just use mobiles for mucking about. We use them for jobs and shifts, school, parents, and emergencies".

Read more: Mobile Matters: The Youth Advocates Project

Financial and Consumer Rights Council Inc. (FCRC)

Grant round: 2016

Amount: $60,000

Read more: Rank the Telco 2017