Details

The Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association (ASCCA) conducted research on the effectiveness of various digital literacy training methodologies that were being used by ASCCA's member clubs around Australia.

Further information on the project and the final report is available on the ACCAN Grants Scheme webpage.

Details

In November 2012 the Telstra Telephone Exchange at Warrnambool, south west Victoria, caught on fire and disrupted the telecommunications services of an entire region. This research, conducted by RMIT University and funded under the ACCAN Grants Scheme, examined the social and financial impact of this outage on the residents and small businesses of the region.

The research report, as well as a series of 'survival plans' for businesses, government and individuals, can be found on the Grants Scheme webpage.

Details

The Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code is a bulwark built by industry, consumer representatives and regulators to ensure appropriate consumer safeguards. Brought in two years ago some of its provisions only took effect in September 2014. It was designed to address ballooning consumer dissatisfaction with the telco industry. So the proposed removal of some of its most important components so soon after its introduction comes as a surprise.

Despite some major reservations, ACCAN feels many of the changes are appropriate and will streamline obligations and aid overall compliance. In one instance we even believe the reform process could go further to remove an unused area of the Code.

Write comment (0 Comments)

Details

Against the background of the Federal Government's deregulation agenda, the telecommunications industry peak body, Communications Alliance, consulted on amendments to the Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code 2012. This version of the Code had just finished being rolled out in September 2014. Since the Code was introduced two years ago Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman complaints have fallen by 28 per cent to the lowest point in six years. Our submission outlines why we don't think it is the right time to be taking away the very consumer protections that have led to reduced complaints.

Details

ACCAN is now accepting Expressions of Interest to serve on its Independent Grants Panel. The role of the Panel is to assess eligible applications to the ACCAN Independent Grants Scheme and recommend the strongest to the ACCAN Board for funding.

View job details

Write comment (0 Comments)

Details

ACCAN submitted to the draft report of the Harper review to provide feedback on recommendations to reform competition law and policy in relation to intellectual property (IP), institutions and governance.

Details

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), the peak body representing communications consumers in Australia, welcomes Telstra's announcement of real time mobile data usage alerts as a win for consumers. ACCAN has been calling on the telcos to implement real time alerts for mobile data usage for a number of years.

Telstra is the first Australian telco to offer these alerts that notify consumers via text message within seconds when they have used 50, 85 and 100 per cent of their mobile data allowance.

Details

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has welcomed the Federal Government's move to make registration on the Do Not Call Register indefinite as a part of its deregulation agenda. This is a win for consumers who will no longer have to worry about reregistering their phone numbers on the Do Not Call Register every eight years.

"With approximately 9 million registered numbers and on average 1 million added each year, ACCAN supports the move to allow for indefinite registration," said ACCAN CEO, Teresa Corbin. "The preference of the majority of Australians to not be contacted by telemarketers is evident in the high number of registrations."

Details

While you may know about ACCAN's work for residential consumers, you may not know that we also represent small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in so far as they are consumers.

Many small businesses use the same products as residential consumers and also have no ability to negotiate their own contract terms and the same consumer protection.

Write comment (0 Comments)

Details

Cover of magazine - Spring 2014

Download: pdfConnecting Todays Consumer.pdf1.46 MB

Download accessible version: docConnecting Todays Consumer.doc105.5 KB

Details

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) welcomes Telstra's initiative to make mobile phone calls to 1800 numbers free of charge for its customers three months before the ACMA proposed deadline of 1 January 2015. The telco announced the change in a blog post on the Telstra Exchange blog.

ACCAN has previously called for this change and is glad to see Telstra implementing it well before the deadline set by the ACMA.

Details

Pro bono legal service MOSAIC and the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) are teaming up to run a 'Bring Your Bills Day' giving free legal advice and education to newly arrived migrants, refugees or asylum seekers who need help with any of their bills (phone, electricity, gas or water). The event is in the lead up to Anti-Poverty Week (12th–18th October, 2014). It is being held today at the Old University of Sydney Law Building (near St James train station, Macquarie Street exit), 173-175 Phillip Street, Sydney CBD.

Recent analysis by MOSAIC has found that one in seven of their clients is facing difficulties with paying mobile phone bills. According to the Australian Council of Social Services adults born in countries where English is not the main language are almost 50 per cent more likely to be in poverty compared to those born in Australia.

About us

Uncategorised