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With the impending shut down of 3G networks and reallocation of spectrum for a range of uses, there is a great deal of discussion about what is spectrum and its essentiality in our daily lives. It is also an issue that many consumers, understandably, know little about. This article aims to provide some high-level information on spectrum, its uses and its importance to all of us, with as little technical jargon as possible.
Read more: An invisible public resource: why spectrum matters for Australia
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ACCAN recently submitted to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (the Department) on the Peri-Urban Mobile Program (PUMP) Round 2 draft guidelines. ACCAN's submission recommended that the Department should:
- Amend clause 3.4.3 to make it mandatory to recognise the in-kind funding co-contributions of third parties.
- Promote a data-driven approach to site selection through service reliability.
Read more: Peri-Urban Mobile Program (PUMP) Round 2 draft guidelines
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ACCAN recently responded to the Digital Transformation Agency’s (DTA) Initial Data and Digital Government Strategy (the strategy). Our submission to this consultation included a range of recommendations which supported increasing the digital inclusion of Australians. These included:
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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
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ACCAN recently responded to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) public inquiry into the declaration of the domestic transmission capacity service, fixed line services and domestic mobile terminating access service discussion paper (the discussion paper).
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ACCAN’s purpose, as outlined in our Strategic Plan, is to work for “communications services that are trusted, inclusive, accessible and available for all.”
Our approach to priorities
ACCAN has revised the way in which we approach our policy priorities, in consultation with our members. Feedback from members supported a movement to setting out our enduring priorities, which reflect our long-term areas of policy focus, and more immediate proactive areas of policy focus or policy themes.
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The Australian Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) welcomes the Minister of Communications, Michelle Rowland’s, decision to direct the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to implement a standard for financial hardship.
“ACCAN strongly supports the Minister for Communications directing the ACMA to make a directly enforceable instrument for safeguarding telco consumers experiencing financial hardship,” said ACCAN CEO, Andrew Williams.
“Establishing substantive protections for telco consumers will support as many as 2.4 million Australians who have had difficulty or struggled to pay a telco bill in the last 12 months,” said Mr. Williams.
Read more: Direct regulation of financial hardship a step in the right direction
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The Australian Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) welcomes the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) position paper for the telecommunications sector, What consumers want – Consumer expectations for telecommunications safeguards, released today.
The ACMA’s position paper reflects ACCAN’s view that telecommunications safeguards arising from the TCP Code are not delivering for consumers in many essential areas.
‘The ACMA’s position paper is reflective of a growing consensus that existing consumer protection arrangements are not fit-for-purpose.’ said ACCAN CEO Andrew Williams.
Read more: ACCAN welcomes ACMA position paper on telecommunications safeguards
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ACCAN recently submitted to Communications Alliance’s scheduled review on C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Industry Code.
ACCAN endorses the Code as drafted and supports reconfirming the Code, which sets out the technical procedures for involving communities in the planning, installing, and operation of mobile phone base stations.
Read more: C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Industry Code
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ACCAN recently made a submission to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts’ 2022 Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (the Transport Standards). This submission was developed in consultation with our members, including Deafness Forum of Australia and Blind Citizens Australia (BCA).
Additionally, ACCAN supported the recommendations made in BCA’s submission to the review of the Transport Standards.
Read more: Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002
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Deaf Australia
Since publication of the ‘What Standards?’ Auslan translation guidelines in 2015, the NDIS and pandemic have significantly reshaped Auslan user needs. This project will evaluate and update these guidelines by reviewing current usage and compliance across Australia, improving guidelines for Deafblind consumers, and incorporating emerging Auslan-first products, often viewed as a better alternative to translations. Ultimately, the findings will provide Auslan translation guidelines for current and foreseeable requirements, deeper consideration of Deafblind needs, and an understanding of when Auslan-first products should be produced instead of Auslan translations.