JOB VACANCY – TIO DIRECTOR 

Operating since 1993, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman scheme (TIO) provides a fair, independent and accessible dispute resolution service for telephone and internet complaints.
 
A vacancy for the role of Director with Consumer Experience will arise with the TIO in February 2019.  For more information, click the link above.  [TIO]

NBN Co launches medical alarm discount scheme 

Unmonitored medical alarms can be used to call emergency services or a person’s emergency contact. NBN connections rely on premises having access to power; as a result, during power outages older unmonitored medical alarm systems may not function. Some newer medical alarms can connect over the NBN and also offer cellular-based backup connections if mains power is lost. [Computerworld Australia]

NBN alternative progresses as Adelaide telco receives $5M Govt grant 

Adelaide-based Uniti Wireless has been awarded a $5 million grant from the South Australia Government as it extends its high-speed broadband alternative to the National Broadband Network (NBN). [ARN]

Aussie Broadband drops "congestion-free" claims from ads 

NBN provider Aussie Broadband has removed claims of its broadband services being “congestion-free” after concerns were raised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. [CRN]

If 'congestion-free' is banned from NBN ads, why not 'unlimited', asks ISP

The advertising restrictions placed on the use of the term congestion-free by Internet service provider Aussie Broadband by the competition watchdog have been questioned by the head of a small ISP in Tasmania, who has asked why the ACCC does not also object to the use of the term "unlimited" in broadband advertisements. [iTWire]

Telstra dials-up Deutsche Telekom for new tech and product head 

Telstra’s senior management overhaul has continued in earnest with the carrier opting for a Christian von Reventlow from Germany to become its next group executive for product and technology. [itnews]

Optus snubs Federal ZTE ban 

Optus has chosen to ignore the Federal Government ban on ZTE and Huawei with the SingTel owned Company choosing to range ZTE smartphones which in the past has been found with malware that reports user activity back to Chinese based servers. [Channel News]

Qld’s Sunshine Coast to get ‘fastest’ cable connection to Asia 

A new international submarine cable contract has been agreed between Queensland’s Sunshine Coast Council and telecoms network operations company RTI-C Connectivity, with claims the cable will deliver Australia’s fastest telecommunications connection to Asia and second fastest to the US. [iTWire]

NBN leads punters through preferred speed connection options 

Most Australians don’t understand how to select the appropriate broadband speed for their household’s needs, according to data from NBN Co. [Telecom Times]

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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.