Planning for our 2016 Conference, ACCANect: Equipping Consumers to Stay Connected, is well underway. We’re curating an exciting program (stay tuned for updates!) which will feature some inspirational and key figures in the telecommunications space. You can now register for the Conference. Remember: if you register before 12 August you can take advantage of early bird rates.

This is a busy time of year for everyone, and before we know it, it will be September and we’ll be welcoming you to our 2016 Annual Conference. While we were workshopping ideas and speakers for this year’s Conference, we got a little nostalgic and wanted to share with you some highlights of our past events.

Dollars and Bytes – Communications affordability now and tomorrow – 2015

Last year’s Conference was all about affordability and what the industry, consumer groups and government can do to ensure that broadband and telecommunications services are affordable for all consumers.

Some of the highlights were:

• The keynote presentation by Claire Milne, Visiting Senior Fellow, Department of Media and Communications, London School of Economics. Claire enlightened us with a presentation about her experience working on affordability issues around the world.
  
  
• ACCC Chairman, Rod Sims’ presentation which caused a splash with the announcement of the ACCC’s successful broadband monitoring pilot program.
  
  
• The Communications Affordability session which featured expert speakers quizzing the telcos on initiatives and ideas to keep consumers connected.
  
  
• The exciting, passionate debate at the close of the Conference that focused on the benefits and detractions of disruptors like Uber and Airbnb.

Connecting Today’s Consumer – 2014

At the 2014 Conference, we examined the need for all consumers to have equitable internet access so everyone can enjoy the benefits of competitive products and prices. We explored issues such as - when and how can every Australian connect to our broadband and mobile networks? Are we being offered truly competitive content and products? How do we ensure consumers know their rights and can act on them?

Some of the highlights were:

• The keynote presentation by Futurist Gerd Leonhard who spoke about consumer rights and the future of connectivity.
  
  
• The inaugural Apps for All Challenge Awards Ceremony where we awarded apps that are accessible for all consumers.
  
  
• The GoT Content session that looked at Australia’s online content habits and what barriers stand in the way for consumers.
  
  

Download: Highlights from our past Conferences42.67 KB

Download: Highlights from our past Conferences329.73 KB