- Details
With the 2015 ACCAN Conference fast approaching, we can now reveal the shortlist for the second Apps For All Challenge!
The Challenge acknowledges those Australian developed apps which are most accessible for all consumers, including consumers living with a disability or older Australians. An accessible app is designed with the largest number of people in mind. Accessibility is not only crucial for the almost 1 in 5 Australians living with some form of disability, but it also means developers can target millions more customers who were previously locked out of the app market. 
This year’s Challenge is sponsored by Telstra. The lucky winners will receive a cash prize from Telstra as well as promotion through Telstra’s social media channels.
We’ll be announcing the winners at a ceremony on 1 September at our National Conference, Dollars and Bytes – Communications affordability now and tomorrow. You can register here to attend.
Good luck to all of the shortlisted apps and developers!
Read more: Apps For All Challenge shortlist announced
Write comment (0 Comments)- Details
After a lot of hype, Microsoft has finally delivered Windows 10.
With a bunch of new features and improvements, such as a good firewall and rapid start-up of your favourite programs, it is a very attractive computer interface, but there is a real sting in the tail if you are someone on a restricted internet plan!
First of all to upgrade to Windows 10 you have to download the whole thing from Microsoft.
Read more: Is Windows 10 free? Not entirely
Write comment (2 Comments)- Details
Our 2016 Conference is all about equipping consumers with the tools they need to get and stay connected to communications services. We have identified three key areas where consumers need better tools. Please share your responses with us on any of the questions below:
- What legal protections do consumers need to help them get/stay connected?
- What information needs to be more widely accessible to consumers?
- How could products be better designed to suit consumer needs?
- Details
This year our keynote speaker for the ACCAN National Conference is Claire Milne, MBE, Visiting Senior Fellow, Department of Media and Communications, London School of Economics.
Claire will bring a wealth of knowledge to the ACCAN Conference. She has worked in the telecoms sector since 1975 and held a series of management jobs within BT, including teletraffic theory, exchange and network design and regulation. Since 1989, she has been a consultant, first with Ovum and then in her own company Antelope Consulting. She has been a Visiting Senior Fellow at LSE since 2003. From 2008 - 2014 she chaired the Consumer Forum for Communications at Ofcom.
We interviewed Claire to get insights into her views on communications affordability in the lead up to the ACCAN Conference.
Read more: An interview with keynote speaker, Claire Milne
Write comment (0 Comments)- Details
Access to affordable telecommunications for all consumers is one of ACCAN's three key objectives. Affordability is becoming increasingly important as access to telecommunications services is essential for full economic, social and cultural participation.
For example, the main method of communicating with many government agencies is increasingly through online channels and, with the Coalition Government's Digital First Strategy, this will only become more widespread. This Strategy will require all government services and public interactions to be available online by 2017.
In order for the Digital First Strategy to be a success, all Australians need to have access to the internet. There are a number of factors that contribute to a lack of internet uptake, and affordability is often found to be a factor.
Read more: Affordable communications for all Australians
Write comment (0 Comments)- Details
Last week ACCAN's CEO, Teresa Corbin, and Director of Policy, Una Lawrence, travelled to the Electorate of Indi (northeast Victoria) to meet with residents and discuss issues around telecommunications services.
ACCAN was invited to attend community meetings and a meeting with local government representatives and businesses by Indi's Federal Member of Parliament, Cathy McGowan. Meetings were held in Beechworth, Wangaratta, Benalla and Oxley.
The issues experienced by residents are not unique to Indi and are experienced by many living in rural and remote areas. Availability and accessibility of quality communications services are key focus areas of ACCAN's work.
Read more: Indi residents experiencing a range of telecommunications issues
Write comment (0 Comments)- Details
If you haven't already registered for the ACCAN Conference you can still take advantage of early bird pricing until Friday, 31 July! Head to the Conference website to register now.
As you may already know, this year's Conference, Dollars and Bytes – Communications affordability now and tomorrow, focuses on the key issue of affordability. This is an issue that affects all consumers.
The program for the two days (1-2 September) is shaping up to be one of our best yet. Some highlights will include:
Read more: Early bird pricing for ACCAN Conference ends on Friday
Write comment (0 Comments)- Details
The Regional Telecommunications Review is an opportune time to take stock of telecommunications policy in Australia. Whether it is an oversubscribed interim satellite service or a Universal Service Obligation that hasn't been brought into the 21st Century, regional consumers are frequently left with shocking network performance and few avenues for redress.
ACCAN often hears the horror stories about regional communications. From a farmer in rural WA who despite successive 'repairs' had to hold his landline handset 10cm away from his ear to hear over the static; to the outdoor recreation business which may soon have to close after a loss of customers due to an unreliable booking phone line; and the school children who have to stop lessons 20 days into the month because their restrictive satellite data quota has been used up.
Read more: Regional consumers too often left behind
Write comment (0 Comments)- Details
Last week the Indigenous Remote Communications Association (IRCA) and the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) hosted an Indigenous Focus Day in Darwin, Northern Territory. The event took place alongside the Broadband for the Bush Forum IV. It attracted 75 participants and focused on identifying the obstacles to digital inclusion and the opportunities that arise from being connected. Participants were representatives from the Indigenous community, as well as delegates from community organisations from across Australia.
The Focus Day consisted of an opening address from Joe Morrison, CEO of Northern Land Council, some shorter presentations and facilitated breakout sessions. Key themes explored were affordability, accessibility, awareness and appropriateness of telecommunications services. The breakout sessions featured speakers covering topics such as costs of phone plans, satellite internet services, broadband for schools and how technology is improving the lives of remote Indigenous communities.
Read more: Indigenous Focus Day explored obstacles to digital inclusion
- Details
Nominations for Directors to fill three vacancies on the ACCAN Board are now open. Nominations close at 5pm on Monday 3rd August, 2015.
In accordance with the ACCAN Constitution, the 2015-16 ACCAN Board will consist of nine members. Six positions are continuing Directors from the 2014-2015 Board. Three Directors are retiring from the Board but will be eligible for re-election as stated in the ACCAN Constitution.
In accordance with the ACCAN Constitution Board members are eligible for a three year term.
Read more: Call for nominations for the ACCAN Board
Write comment (0 Comments)- Details
The Regional Telecommunications Review is the only review that examines horizontal, or geographic, equity in telecommunications services and so is of value to consumers.
The timing of the 2015 review creates its own challenges, as two large infrastructure projects, namely the Mobile Black Spots Programme and the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN), are still in motion. It is difficult to predict what gaps will still exist going forward. In our submission ACCAN has tried to outline issues that it sees are persistent. Furthermore we have made suggestions on how these might be addressed.
- Details
This year, ACCAN's National Conference will focus on the wide ranging issue of communications affordability. Affordability is a key focus area for ACCAN because it affects all consumers. For more information or to register, visit the Conference website.
With the Conference coming up (on 1-2 September), we thought we'd take a look back at our past Conferences to reflect on our past achievements and show you why you should attend ACCAN's 2015 National Conference, Dollars and Bytes – Communications affordability now and tomorrow.
Read more: A look back at our past National Conferences
Write comment (0 Comments)