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Peak communications consumer body ACCAN has welcomed the findings of the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee (RTIRC) 2024 report, particularly the call for action on stronger consumer protections under the Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code and universal service reform in 2025.

The report was released a day before the latest draft of the updated TCP Code was released for public consultation.

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ACCAN recently submitted to the Australian Treasury’s Pre-Budget consultation to provide our views on priorities for the 2025-2026 Budget. Our submission calls on the Australian Government to address the barriers faced by communications consumers in accessing affordable, reliable, competitive and accessible telecommunications services. 

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ACCAN recently submitted to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on the Regional Broadband Scheme (RBS) Levy. The RBS is critical to the funding of non-commercial regional, rural and remote NBN services. ACCAN supports the positions of the ACCC, which will strengthen confidence and trust in the RBS by ensuring that the levy reflects the efficient costs of delivering non-commercial services.

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The opinion piece below was written by ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett for the Canberra Times. It was originally published on 13 December 2024.

Australians will go to the polls in the first half of next year with the cost-of-living crisis dominating the political agenda.

The skyrocketing costs of essentials have hit people hard. The housing crisis has sent rents spiralling, and supermarkets have been accused of price gouging on essential food items. The eye-watering cost of electricity and other utilities is also hitting hard.

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ACCAN recently submitted to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (the Department) on the First Nations Digital Support Hub and Network of Digital Mentors – Draft Combined Grant Opportunity Guidelines. ACCAN welcomes the First Nations Digital Support Hub and Network of Digital Mentors as an important step in supporting the digital ability and literacy of First Nations Australians.

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ACCAN recently submitted to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (the Department) proposed First Nations Community Wi-Fi Program – Draft Grant Opportunity Guidelines. ACCAN welcomes the First Nations Community Wi-Fi Program as an important step to closing the digital divide in remote and very remote communities.

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ACCAN recently submitted to the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) proposal to remake the TLN and eight telecommunications standards.

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Peak communications consumer body ACCAN has welcomed regulatory action against Telstra for significant Triple Zero failings earlier this year, and urged a modernisation of Triple Zero services.  

Telstra has been fined more than $3 million for 473 breaches of Triple Zero rules relating to an incident on 1 March 2024, during which Telstra’s Triple Zero call centre was hampered in transferring calls to emergency services for 90 minutes. Customers were unable to access the service as expected.

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Consumers will now have a voice at the table to determine how the NBN can better serve the needs of communities around Australia thanks to a $2.56 million funding grant from the Australian Government to the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN).

As the peak communications consumer body, ACCAN’s new funding will allow it to advocate for the interests of consumers under a new framework of economic regulation approved by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) known as the Special Access Undertaking (SAU). The framework will propose NBN expenditure, service standards and pricing for the regulatory period commencing 1 July 2026 through to 30 June 2029.

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ACCAN recently commented on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts’ Proposed Amendments to the Powers and Immunities Framework - Consultation Paper (the consultation paper).

ACCAN supports the amendments to the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 and the Telecommunications Code of Practice 2021 proposed in the consultation paper.

Download: pdfACCAN Submission to DITRCDA powers and immunities225.16 KB

Downlaod:docxACCAN Submission to DITRCDA powers and immunities3.78 MB

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In a significant win for Australians fed up with the onslaught of fake, deceptive and damaging text message scams, the SMS Sender ID Register will be made mandatory.

ACCAN, Australia’s peak communications consumer group, have been calling for the Federal Government to implement a mandatory register throughout 2024. The Register will help consumers more easily determine whether a text message is a scam or legitimate notification from businesses, service providers and government.

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National communications consumer body ACCAN is encouraging consumers to Stop, Check, and Protect to remain scam safe this Black Friday and Christmas sales season.

With nearly $7 billion expected to be spent in the four-day period between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, criminals will be intensifying efforts to steal money from unsuspecting online shoppers.

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