NBN Rollout in Rural and Regional Areas

The Federal Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on the National Broadband Network is inquiring into the rollout of the NBN in rural and regional areas, focusing on the capacity and reliability of NBN satellite, fixed wireless and fixed line networks. ACCAN has submitted to the inquiry, presenting the major concerns of rural, regional and remote consumers and small business. [ACCAN]

Fifield claims TIO figures give skewed picture of telco issues

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield has questioned the manner in which the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has calculated the percentage rise of complaints relating to services deliver over the national broadband network. [iTWire]

More effort needed to address telco customer dissatisfaction: CA

The telecommunications industry is still struggling with the disruptions caused by the rollout of the NBN and the transformation of communications delivery platforms, according to one key industry group. [iTWire]

High Court throws out Valve bid to appeal $3m judgment

A bid by US-based Valve Corporation to obtain special leave to appeal against a Federal Court decision imposing a $3 million penalty on it for violating Australian Consumer Law has been thrown out by the High Court. The Full Federal Court ruled in December last year that Valve, which operates a game distribution platform known as Steam, had violated consumer law when sales were made to Australian users. [iTWire]

Beware the energy, telecommunications scam: ACCC

The ACCC has warned of scammers impersonating energy and telecommunications providers and demanding payments in the wake of thousands of fake billing scams costing consumers losses of nearly $8000. [iTWire]

BROADBAND FOR THE BUSH FORUM

The Broadband for the Bush Alliance (B4BA) hosts an annual forum to address the issues of Internet connectivity in regional, rural and remote Australia. The 2018 forum will be held at Charles Darwin University, Darwin on 7-8th June 2018. It will be preceded by the Indigenous Focus Day on the 6th June, 2018. [Broadband for the Bush]

Why Australian start-up Unlockd is taking Google to court

One of the more promising start-ups coming out of the Australian scene has launched court action against Google, after the search engine giant threatened to pull the company’s app from its Android app store and cut advertising revenue through its AdMob service. [smartcompany.com.au]

A regulation straitjacket is no less than Facebook and everyone else deserves

Leaving it to users and businesses to sort out the protection of big personal data has failed, and with some real world consequences coming to light, the pressure will be on for governments to do something. History has shown that the problem with this approach is lawmakers often go with the first something that comes up for voting, rather than taking the best approach possible. [ZDNet]

Optus Sparks Search for Technology Innovators

Calling all people who ideate, innovate and collaborate. Digital innovations have the potential to make the world better, smarter and happier as well as transform industries. Optus has launched the 2018 Future Makers program, supporting Australia’s start-up and not-for-profit sectors which help create positive social change for vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians. [probonoaustralia.com.au]

Although we take care to direct subscribers to sites with accurate and reliable content, we advise that ACCAN is not responsible for the content within external sites and has no control over the views, services or information contained therein. Information contained on external sites may not necessarily reflect ACCAN's policy, standards or beliefs.

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network's representation of residential and other consumers' interests in relation to telecommunications issues is made possible by funding provided by the Commonwealth of Australia under section 593 of the Telecommunications Act 1997. This funding is recovered from charges on telecommunications carriers.