ACCAN argues that the Universal Service Obligation (USO) legislative framework must include obligations to provide the infrastructure that will ensure universal access for all Australians to communications services. We also urge a review of the definition of universal service.

There is an overriding barrier that consumers face when attempting to contact an insurance company to make a claim, access external dispute resolution services or free legal advice – the cost of the phone call.

This summit is co-hosted by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) and the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). The summit will be an opportunity for consumer advocates to outline how the telecommunications industry’s poor customer service and complaints-handling practices affects their clients and constituents, and comments on the recommendations being proposed by the ACMA.

 

Woman holding up phone looking for mobile receptionDownload: docPoor mobile reception: what can you do?58 KB

Download: pdfPoor mobile reception: what can you do?413.37 KB

From time to time most of us will have a call drop out, delayed texts or slow internet on our mobile phone. But, if you regularly have mobile reception problems, then you are not getting the service you are paying for.

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The global organisation representing consumer groups, Consumers International, is asking Australians to be part of their project aimed at holding internet service providers to account. You can help by taking part in the 10-minute online survey so we can see how Australia compares to the rest of the world for broadband services.

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ACCAN wants all consumers to pay a fair price for their phone calls. This paper demonstrates that consumers are paying too much for calls from fixed lines to mobile phones and could pay a better price for mobile-to-mobile calls. 

The following e-commerce policy is offered as an outline to the e-commerce facilities available through this site.

List of services offered by ACCAN

  • Organisational membership to ACCAN valued between $0.00 and $275.00 annually (inc. GST).
  • Individual membership to ACCAN valued between $0.00 and $33.00 annually (inc. GST).
  • Registration for the ACCAN National Conference. This service is not currently offered through accan.org.au. The approximate value will be $120 – $900 (inc. GST).

Note:
These services are currently offered by ACCAN (July 2011-present) but are not intended to limit the services offered in the future. Prices are reviewed by ACCAN executives and Board on an annual basis and are subject to change. 

Refund policy

If ACCAN membership is not approved by the Board, all monies will be refunded to the applying organisation or individual within 14 business days of the Board’s decision being made available to the applicant.

Attendees of the ACCAN National Conference will have the option to cancel their registration.  If registration is cancelled within 14 days of the event no refund will be offered, otherwise a full refund will be given.

Delivery / Returns / Postage

There are no delivery, returns or postage requirements relating to ACCAN’s e-commerce activities.  ACCAN endeavours to make all membership applications a paperless process for applicants. For any items posted by the applicant to ACCAN in relation to membership, the cost of postage is paid by the applicant.

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Invoices are automatically generated by our system and will be clearly identifiable as being issued by ACCAN. If you require any further information or copies of invoices please contact ACCAN via our Contact page.

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All credit card payments made to ACCAN will be kept confidential by our e-commerce providers (Bendigo Bank and E-Way) in accordance to industry standards and regulations. If a credit card payment is made via mail or telephone, details will be kept confidential and held securely by ACCAN. ACCAN will endeavour to make any purchase appearing on your credit card statement identifiable as being made to ACCAN.

Prices

All prices quoted by ACCAN will be in Australian dollars and include GST. 

Contact details

ACCAN can be contacted on all e-commerce matters using the details available on our Contact page.

 

ACCAN says submissions to the Australian Communications & Media Authority’s (ACMA) draft report reveal the telco industry is in a state of denial about the threat of regulation if it fails to fix its customer service and complaint handling problems.

Peak consumer communications group ACCAN says prices for services on the NBN released yesterday by retail service provider Internode are comparable to current offers but affordability remains a key concern for consumers.

Senator Stephen Conroy has today released the details of the Federal Government’s Review of Access to Telecommunications Services by People with Disability, Older Australians and People Experiencing Illness.

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Peak consumer body ACCAN say the results of a study released today shed a stark light on the challenges involved in connecting up remote indigenous communities, where very few residents have been online and many have never used a computer.

Only one household out of 30 in the Kwale Kwale, Mungalawuru, and Imangara communities in Central Australia is connected to the internet.  

The Home Internet for Remote Indigenous Communities provides a baseline study of communication use in these three remote communities. It includes an overview of existing policies, demonstrating the significance of the intersection between communications and social policy for indigenous consumers living in remote communities.