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This week
IN THE NEWS: Have your say on the future of regional comms, act now to stay cyber-secure, and 3G shutdown concerns come before the Senate
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The Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee (RTIRC) is currently holding consultations around the country, providing an opportunity for people living and working in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia to share their views and experiences using telecommunications services in their area. From 17-19 June, the RTIRC will be in Mount Isa, Mornington Island, Cairns and Thursday Island. You can register for these events and view July events for South Australia via the link above. [RTIRC]
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The National Office of Cyber Security is reminding consumers to act now to stay secure online. There are several simple steps you can follow to ensure you stay protected. Set up multi-factor authentication, regularly install software updates and create strong and unique passwords to bolster your online safety. [National Office of Cyber Security]
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ACCAN recently submitted to the Senate committee into the shutdown of 3G networks. As readers will know, 3G and many older 4G devices without Voice over LTE (VoLTE) will be unable to make regular and/or emergency calls after the shutdown. This is especially worrying for people living in regional, rural, and remote (RRR) areas who currently rely on 3G. ACCAN recommended a nation-wide media campaign to inform the public about these changes, welfare checks on vulnerable populations, and a free phone number for consumers to check if their devices will be impacted. It is estimated that around three million devices, including phones, EFTPOS machines, and medical-alert technology, rely on 3G, and we have seen reports that up to a million older 4G handsets will also be affected. ACCAN also called for detailed analysis and public disclosure of the number of affected consumers, support for upgrading devices, and ensuring reliable connectivity in previously covered areas. [ACCAN submission - PDF download: 230KB]
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New changes to the Statutory Infrastructure Provider (SIP) Determination will mean consumers have greater certainty about when they can expect to be connected and receive services, Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland has announced. The SIP regime aims to ensure that all people in Australia can access high speed broadband services. This week’s changes to the SIP Determination brings clarity and certainty about the limited circumstances where they are not obliged to connect premises or supply wholesale services to end-users. [Minister Rowland]
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The ACMA has reminded consumers about the ever-present threat posed by phone and SMS scams. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often ask for personal information or money. They use phone calls or texts and pretend to be from someone you trust, like your phone company or bank. If you think it’s a scam:
• Don’t answer phone calls if you don’t know who it is – let the call go to voicemail
• Don’t click on links
• Don’t send money.
For more tips, visit the avoiding scams page on the ACMA website (above) [ACMA]
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A team at Monash University are trialling a new program to help scam survivors with called Smooth Sailing After Scams. Have you been scammed? Do you want help in coping with the loss of money or feelings of anger, shame, confusion or disbelief? Have your relationships or lifestyle been affected? This 10-session program, delivered in small groups by allied health clinicians via telehealth or in-person (Notting Hill, Victoria), may help. Find out more via the link above, or by emailing the researchers at cyberability@monash.edu. [Monash University]
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Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, has urged businesses to prepare for the upcoming 3G network shutdown, advising them to ensure their devices and services are updated to avoid disruptions. This is particularly important for businesses that rely on 3G for payment processing, security systems, and other critical operations. The Ombudsman recommends that businesses contact their service providers to confirm whether their equipment will be affected and to explore upgrade options if necessary. [Small Business Ombudsman]
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Swoop has sold its wholesale voice business to Pivotel for $9 million in a cash sale, the telcos announced this week. As part of the sale, several Swoop employees will move to Pivotel, and, according to ITNews, “Swoop has entered into a five-year contract with Pivotel to maintain its wholesale rates and cost structure”. [ITNews]
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The First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group (FNDIAG) is advocating for a targeted, First-Nations-led education and awareness campaign to prepare Indigenous communities for the 3G switch-off in August and September. The proposed campaign would ensure that Indigenous communities are not left behind in the digital transition and can continue to access essential services without interruption. ACCAN supports the FNDIAG in this call, and believes it complements our recommendation for a nation-wide media campaign on the 3G shutdown. [FNDIAG submission - PDF download: 264KB]
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The Australian Financial Crimes Exchange, an intelligence-sharing network with banks, telcos, and digital platforms, will partner with the National Anti-Scam Centre, Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has announced. The real-time data exchange which the National Anti-Scam Centre will now participate in aims to stop scams more effectively and protect consumers. Using the exchange, whether a person reports a scam to a bank, a telco or to Scamwatch, government and industry can use the intel loop to stop a scam from harming more Australians. [Minister Jones]
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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.
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network's representation of residential and other consumers' interests in relation to telecommunications issues is supported by the Commonwealth through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
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