ACCAN proposes automatic repayments for missed telco appointments
Weekly webnews
In the news this week, ACCAN proposes automatic repayments for missed telco appointments, the ACCC urges consumers to check if they're entitled to a refund, and WhatsApp caps message forwards
ACCAN has put forward a recommendation that consumers should receive automatic compensation when a telecommunications provider misses an appointment or is unable to resolve an outage within a determined time-frame. [ZDNet]
The service, hailed an Australian first, was officially launched on Tuesday by ACCAN and will provide information via a hotline and interactive website about the accessibility features of fixed and mobile handsets, teletypewriters, and the accessories which make them usable for people with disability. [Pro Bono Australia]
NBN Co will look to raise the number of 100Mbps-plus users on its network before the end of the financial year with a $160 rebate offered for each customer that retail service providers sign on. [itnews]
Judicial oversight of new surveillance powers and clearly defined limits on agencies’ notices top the list of a raft of changes recommended to the Federal Government for its encryption legislation by a broad coalition of Australia’s telecommunications, IT and Internet industries. [iTWire]
Mick Keogh, ACCC Acting Chair said, "A large proportion, two in three affected consumers, have not responded to the letter or email from their RSP. They may be eligible for refunds, some in the hundreds of dollars. The ACCC is urging NBN customers to contact their NBN retailer if they have received a letter or email offer of a remedy, or think they might be entitled to a remedy." [Finder]
The date for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to make a decision on the merger between TPG and Vodafone Australia has been pushed out from March 28, to potentially April 11.[ZDNet]
The intense competition in the mobile market passed another milestone on Friday when Vodafone revealed it was introducing a new "endless data" plan at $50 a month, or $45 for students, in a move that commentators say will put yet more pressure on telco margins. [Australian Financial Review]
WhatsApp is putting a worldwide limit of five on the number of times a message may be forwarded in an effort to stomp out misinformation and the spreading of rumours. [ZDNet]
TPG has been slammed for a $20 non-refundable ‘prepayment’ it took from customers over a 6-year period. [Australian Computer Society]
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.
WebNews #464
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