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This week
IN THE NEWS: ACCC issues damning criticism of TCP Code, NBN prices to rise as new financial year begins, and ACMA announces 2024-25 compliance priorities
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The ACCC recently criticised the latest draft of the Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code, noting “fundamental shortcomings”, and recommending that the ACMA “reject the draft Code and proceed to other regulatory options”. Having been actively involved in the Code review process with the ACCC, ACCAN welcomes and supports these comments. Vulnerable consumers do not have effective or appropriate protections under the current, or indeed proposed draft Code. We encourage the ACMA to recognise this feedback, and move to direct regulation to secure better outcomes for consumers. ACCAN’s full media release is linked above. [ACCAN]
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Changes to NBN wholesale pricing have taken effect as of 1 July, with Nine News suggesting that as many as 7 in 10 households will face higher NBN plan prices. Price increases between $1 and $5 (depending on the provider) are occurring on most lower speed plans, including NBN Standard 50. Some faster plans will see price reductions. ACCAN encourages consumers to regularly review the market to see if they can find lower prices for products which meet their needs. [Nine News]
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The ACMA has announced its key areas of focus for industry compliance in FY2024-25. Leading areas include the protection of telco customers facing financial hardship, support for customers experiencing domestic and family violence, and disrupting SMS impersonation scams. the ACMA’s focus on consumer vulnerability, and will look to support and inform this important work over the coming year. [ACMA]
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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. 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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The government is yet to decide whether the SMS Sender ID Register, introduced to Parliament by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland last week, is to be mandatory or voluntary. 89% of submissions to the consultation preferred a mandatory registration model, including the banking sector through the Australian Banking Association and telcos including Optus and Pivotel. As Pivotel put it, “a Sender ID Registry can only comprehensively protect against the fraudulent use of sender IDs when it is mandatory”. [ITNews, submissions to DITRDCA consultation linked]
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eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has given industry associations six months to develop enforceable codes to restrict the exposure of children to high-impact and explicit online content. The codes will cover products including apps, search engines, social media services, messaging services, SMS, online gaming, and online dating providers. [eSafety Commissioner]
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Telstra has set a world record for making a phone call over their 5G network at the farthest distance from the connected signal tower. The call, made in Burra, South Australia, was placed using a Samsung Galaxy S23 located just under 100 kilometres away from the 5G tower. The call was conveyed over Telstra’s commercial 5G network. [Gizmodo]
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Amazon Web Services has won a $2 billion contract to host classified military and intelligence information on behalf of the Australian Government. Expected to be in operation by 2027, the project will involve the construction of data centres in discreet locations and a “top secret” data cloud. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expects up to 2000 jobs will be created through the contract. [ABC]
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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 and/or submit your views via a simple survey, via the link above. [RTIRC]
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The South Australian Council on Intellectual Disability (SACID) have 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. The complete module is now available on the SACID website. [SACID]
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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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