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This week
IN THE NEWS: AMTA releases new 3G shutdown tool, SMS Sender ID Register goes before Parliament, and Telstra tops ACCC broadband speed report
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The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has released a significant update to their 3G shutdown resource. The AMTA 3G closure page (linked above) now includes a ‘check my device’ tool, a buyer’s guide in case people need to upgrade their device, and notices for consumers experiencing financial hardship. Consumers can input their 15-digit IMEI serial number into the online tool and receive confirmation as to whether their device will work after the shutdown. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has released a media statement regarding the new tool. ACCAN encourages readers to share the AMTA resource with their networks ahead of the shutdown of the Telstra 3G network on August 31. [AMTA]
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Legislation to establish an SMS Sender ID Register was introduced to Parliament on Wednesday by Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland. The proposed Register aims to reduce the number of scams and help consumers identify legitimate texts from fraudulent ones. It is an important tool to combat SMS scams consumers frequently experience. In a media release, ACCAN welcomed the introduction of legislation to establish the Register and reiterated that to enhance its effectiveness, the Register should be mandatory and underpinned by a robust compliance framework. [ACCAN]
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The Measuring Broadband Australia program, run by the ACCC, provides independent information about broadband performance to inform purchasing decisions. The latest report has found that Australians with a fibre to the premises NBN connection experience the fewest outages of all NBN connection types. It also compares the real download speeds consumers experience against what is promised by providers. Across the board, the average was 99.8% of plan speed. Telstra had the highest average download speed of all providers, recording 102.3% of plan speed. [ACCC]
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In its final report into the regulation of the Mobile Terminating Access Service (MTAS), the ACCC has decided to extend current regulatory arrangements without change until 2029. While the ACCC has elected to not regulate application-to-person SMS services at this stage (a position supported by ACCAN in our submission to the MTAS inquiry), we welcome the ACCC’s commitment to “closely monitor movements in wholesale and retail prices for the foreseeable future”. [ACCC]
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CHOICE has released a simple guide for consumers looking for a new phone plan. Factors including whether you are after a post-paid or pre-paid plan, your data usage, where you would like to use the phone, extra charges, and whether you want to bundle a handset determines whether you pay as little as $10 or more than $150 per month. [CHOICE]
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Telstra has released an article detailing new data they’ve collected on blocked SMS scams. They found that text scams are most prevalent on Fridays and Saturdays between 1am and 4am, when consumers may be up late or waking early and more likely to have their guard down. Additionally, Telstra found that scammers are beginning to use generative AI to produce personalised messages with Australian slang. ACCAN encourages consumers to report scam texts to their telco and to Scamwatch. [Telstra]
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ACCAN is marking Deafblind Awareness Week from June Centred on the birthday of author and disability rights advocate Hellen Keller (27 June), Deafblind Awareness Week is a great chance to grow your understanding of deafblindness and its impact on people's lives. Learn more via the Deafblind Australia website (linked above). [Deafblind Australia]
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The South Australian Council on Intellectual Disability (SACID) have this week launched Cyber Wise, a practical and free e-learning module to help people with intellectual disability stay safe online. Topics covered include online rights and responsibilities, cyber security, cyber abuse and online dating. Two modules are now available, with more to open on 30 June. [SACID]
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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. The RTIRC will be in South Australia in late July, regional NSW in early August and the Northern Territory in September. You can register for these upcoming events, plus submit your views via a simple survey, 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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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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