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This week
IN THE NEWS: 3G shutdown concerns; Working Group established to ensure public safety, Affordable Devices service launches, and the ACMA begins spectrum discussions
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Public concerns about the shutdown of 3G networks have grown over recent days, fuelled by new information provided to Communications Minister Michelle Rowland that indicates up to 740,000 handsets may be impacted, including some early model 4G devices. There remain important questions about access to services after the 3G closure, and clarity about which devices will and will not work to make either regular or emergency phone calls is yet to be provided. [ABC]
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Responding to these concerns, Minister Rowland announced that a mobile industry working group would be formed to ensure the planned switchover from 3G to 4G happens safely, and that the public is properly informed ahead of time. The working group includes representatives from Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone/TPG, and will report regularly to the Minister. ACCAN welcomed the establishment of the working group, with Acting CEO Gareth Downing adding that: “If the 3G network is to close as planned in coming months, it is essential that industry works jointly to deliver clear messages to consumers. Immediate action is needed to ensure that those with impacted devices receive appropriate notices across several mediums.” [Minister Rowland]
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The ACMA has launched a public discussion about the future of Australia’s spectrum, with many of the current 20-year radiocommunications licenses set to expire between 2028 and 2032. This will be the first time the ACMA is responsible for either renewing, partially renewing or refusing to renew licences. The paper will seek views on how incumbents are using spectrum now and into the future, possible alternative uses, and how changed license conditions might benefit Australians. [ACMA]
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ACCAN is glad to announce the launch of the Affordable Devices service, a comprehensive database of retailers and programs which help consumers access low-cost mobile phones, laptops, tablets and desktops. Affordable Devices is a result of research funded by ACCAN and conducted in 2023. It lists sources of low-cost devices, filtered by the State or Territory in which they are based, and provides detail as to whether the listed website is screen reader-friendly. We encourage you to explore the resource, available at the link above. [ACCAN]
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The Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance released their latest paper, A Digital Inclusion Approach to Device Donation and Reuse on Wednesday this week. This work highlights the role that device donation can play in meeting the demand for affordable devices. To hear more about the work happening in this space, the ADIA paper is available at the link above. [Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance]
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The ACCC has announced that the superfast broadband access service (SBAS) will be pegged to the pricing of NBN services. There are more than a million households and premises who rely upon broadband connections outside of NBN’s service areas. The ACCC’s determination will ensure that 25 Mbps and 50 Mbps speed tier services will be benchmarked to NBN standards and pricing. Higher speed services will still be able to be sold at market rates. The decision provides certainty around pricing and service quality to these consumers, and ensures those outside NBN service areas are not at a disadvantage. [ACCC]
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eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has issued notices to large tech firms about their response to new forms of extreme content appearing on their platforms. Social media players including Meta, Google, Reddit and X will be required to outline the systems and processes they use to identify and remove violent or otherwise illegal content. [The Guardian]
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Consumers seeking a break, escape or detox from social media have in recent years driven increased interest in ’dumbphones’ – phones which can make calls and texts, but do not have native social media applications. This ABC article shows that some consumers, even younger ones, are switching, or considering switching, their smartphones for more basic devices. Despite niche hype, national data shows that smartphones continue to dominate, with take-up rising from 96.5% to 98.1% of all phone types between 2019 and 2023. [ABC]
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By way of reminder to readers, ACCAN’s CEO Andrew Williams finished with the organisation on 1 March. Recruitment for Andrew’s successor is well underway and is expected to be finalised soon. In the interim, ACCAN’s Deputy CEO, Dr Gareth Downing, has been appointed Acting CEO until the process is completed. [ACCAN]
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The ACMA has issued a direction to comply to Star Telecom over breaches of Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code service transfer rules. The regulator found Star Telecom broke customer transfer rules in 10 instances between February 2021 and May 2023 by transferring customers to its services without their consent. [ACMA]
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If you are Deaf, or have a hearing impairment or speech impairment, you can contact us on 02 9288 4000 through your preferred National Relay Service call number or access point.
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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 information contained in or attached to this message is intended only for the people it is addressed to. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure or copying of this information is unauthorised and prohibited. This information may be confidential or subject to legal privilege. If you receive this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the e-mail and any attachments. The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network does not warrant that the information in this e-mail or any attachments are free from any viruses, defects, errors, interception or interference.
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