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This week
IN THE NEWS: Optus outage review released, ACMA Chair questions future of co-regulation, TPG/Optus announce network sharing deal
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A departmental review of the November 2023 Optus network outage has been released, alongside a government response to its 18 recommendations. The Government has agreed to all recommendations, which cover the operation of Triple-Zero, the role of the Emergency Call Person, requirements for customer communication during outages, and complaints and compensation for affected customers. ACCAN is glad to see that comprehensive reforms have been suggested by review lead Richard Bean, and is confident consumer interests would be well served by their implementation. The review recommends more stringent requirements on telcos going forward, including end-to-end oversight of Triple Zero services, mandatory coordination to manage outages and real-time information sharing during outages, alongside the creation of a Triple Zero Custodian. [ABC]
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ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin, in a landmark address to the CommsDay Summit on Wednesday this week, highlighted shortcomings in telco co-regulatory arrangements and consumer protections outcomes. O’Loughlin focused on concerns the ACMA holds in regards to domestic and family violence, financial hardship and payment options available to telecommunications consumers. Remedies to these concerns, O’Loughlin said, are “necessary and non-negotiable” to the registration of the Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code (which is currently being reviewed). While giving industry a chance to demonstrate its commitment to co-regulation, O’Loughlin predicted that the future shape of telco regulatory arrangements will comprise a “mix of self-, co- and direct regulation”. The Chair’s full speech is available at the link above. [ACMA]
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In a major development, TPG Telecom and Optus have struck a deal to share regional mobile network infrastructure for 11 years from 2025. TPG Telecom expects to pay Optus nearly $1.2 billion in exchange for the use of 2444 additional network towers during the period. The deal is subject to regulatory approval, but the ACCC has previously stated that such an arrangement would be ‘feasible’. After the commencement of network sharing, TPG will shutter their current regional network as a cost saving measure. The deal represents a significant challenge to the dominance of Telstra in regional areas. [IT News]
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The ACCC has published the 2024 Targeting Scams Report, compiling scam data for 2023. Australians made 601,000 scam reports to government organisations in 2023, an 18.5 per cent increase on 2022. Total losses topped $2.7 billion, a 13% decrease from the $3.1 billion seen in 2022. This decline is a signal that efforts coordinated by the National Scam Centre are having an impact. Investment scams made up the majority of scam reports and financial losses. People aged 65+ were the only demographic to see an increase in financial losses ($120 million, up 13%), with all other age groups showing a decrease in losses. [ACCC, Targeting Scams Report]
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The first Thursday in May is World Passwords Day, and a great opportunity to make sure your online presence is as secure as possible. A secure password is the backbone of a secure online experience. In this article, cyber security experts weigh in on how you can ensure you can remain safe and secure online. Essential tips include using different passwords for separate accounts, enabling two-factor authentication, incorporating biometrics and changing all passwords at least twice a year. [Cyber Daily]
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The Telecommunications Disaster Resilience Innovation (TDRI) program has received a total of $17.4 million to fund projects which develop and deploy new or emerging telecommunications technologies. Projects include backup power solutions and generators for mobile infrastructure, innovative satellite solutions and wide-area Wi-Fi networks. [Minister Rowland]
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The NSW Department of Communities and Justice has launched a new advertising campaign to raise awareness of coercive control, a known precursor to intimate partner homicides. Technology can be mis-used by perpetrators, and compelling videos on the campaign website show diverse experiences of coercive control to help people identify the signs of abuse (link above). [NSW DCJ]
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The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has launched a new website to assist consumers as the shutdown of 3G networks continues. Telstra (30 June) is the next telco to exit 3G. It is vital that Australians know if they will be impacted, and have time to upgrade their phones and other devices before they are closed. Act now, don’t delay, and find out more on the website above. [AMTA]
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A government survey about the television and media consumption habits of Australians has shown a continued decline in free to air television viewership and continued dominance of streaming and free video services. The survey also covered Generative AI, which Australians had high awareness of (69%), yet low trust in (78%). [Department of Communications]
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On network sharing arrangements – those who follow telco news closely may remember a proposed network sharing deal between Telstra and TPG last year. This article covers the history of recent network sharing proposals, and why the Optus/TPG arrangement is different from the rejected Telstra/TPG deal. [Gizmodo]
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