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IN THE NEWS: ACCAN calls for medical devices sector to do more on 3G, ACCAN AGM to be held September 26, and new Triple Zero rules to boost public safety
CEO MESSAGE: This week, ACCAN issued a call for the medical devices industry to take immediate action in response to the upcoming 3G network shutdown on October 28. It’s crucial that device manufacturers and healthcare professionals ensure consumers are prepared for this transition, and we’re calling on the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to put firm measures in place to protect the public.
We welcomed a major announcement this week from the Communications Minister about new Triple Zero reforms that address lessons learned from last year’s Optus outage. The new rules will benefit consumers with older devices who may not be aware their devices are unable to reach emergency services.
In other news that will increase mobile network capacity and reduce costs for consumers, the ACCC has announced that it will not stand in the way of a proposed network sharing deal between Optus and TPG, clearing the path for greater competition in regional areas.
I would like to remind members that our Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 26 at 4pm AEST. This is an important opportunity to vote on the election of two Board Directors and review key milestones from the past year. I encourage all members to join us and take part in shaping ACCAN’s future direction.
Carol Bennett
Chief Executive Officer
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ACCAN this week called on medical authorities to take urgent action to ensure that up to 200,000 medical implant recipients are aware of the health threat posed by the looming 3G network shutdown. Medical and safety equipment which rely on the 3G network must be upgraded before the shutdown on October 28, and the manufacturers of these devices and their agents must alert consumers to these changes. To ensure this occurs, the Therapeutic Goods Administration should put in place appropriate requirements, including strong penalties for non-compliance. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency should also alert health professionals to the potential impact on consumers. [ACCAN]
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The ACCC has announced they will not dispute the proposed regional mobile network and spectrum sharing agreement between Optus and TPG, which was first announced in April. Under the proposed agreement, TPG will authorise Optus to use certain spectrum in some regional areas, Optus will allow TPG use of their active mobile network sites in some regional areas, and TPG will decommission or transfer to Optus a number of it’s existing regional mobile sites. With the ACCC announcing it will not stand in the way, the deal is set to begin in ‘early 2025.’ ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett told SBS On The Money that the deal was a win for regional consumers in the short term, with improved network capacity and reduced prices expected. [ITNews]
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Changes to Triple Zero rules announced by the Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland MP today are an important step to enhance public safety. ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said that Triple Zero is the lynchpin of public safety, and the new requirements on telcos show that necessary lessons from the November 2023 Optus outage have been learned. Read the full release on our website. [ACCAN]
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NBN Co has announced they will increase wholesale download and upload speeds on its three highest speed residential wholesale products from September 2025. The 100/20 Mbps Home Fast product will increase in speed to 500/50 Mbps, while Home Superfast will increase from 250/25 Mbps to 750/50 Mbps. According to NBN, after September next year, consumers will receive these faster speeds once they are made available by participating retailers. [NBN]
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Older Australians are disproportionately affected by scams, according to new research by Bankwest, with over-55s accounting for 75% of the total value of all scams in the last financial year. Older Australians are more likely to fall victim to investment scams. ACCAN was quoted in the article, with CEO Carol Bennett encouraging Australians to speak up about their scam experiences to help bolster community awareness and end the stigma that still exists around becoming the victim of a scam. [Your Life Choices]
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Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network Limited (ACCAN) will be held on Thursday 26th September 2024 from 4pm AEST. On the agenda for this meeting is the election of two Board Directors, Adoption of the Auditor’s Report, Appointment of an Auditor for 2024-2025, Life Memberships and the Returning Officer’s Report. All meeting papers, including instructions on how to vote in the election, are available on the ACCAN website. Your membership must be current to be eligible to vote. Members are invited to register for the AGM via the link above. [ACCAN]
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Our policy team is growing and we’re currently looking to hire a Graduate Policy and Research Officer. If you have an economics or social sciences background and enthusiasm for communications and consumer advocacy, this could be the role for you!
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Telstra have announced the launch of a new Starlink plan for small businesses. The plan, which is targeted at businesses in parts of the county with poor existing internet options, will cost $125 per month with an additional $600 upfront fee. Telstra says that the plan is available for businesses with up to 5 employees. [Smart Company]
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The Australian Government is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from suppliers of connected agriculture solutions who are interested in participating in Round 2 of the On-Farm Connectivity Program. The Program is providing $18 million to assist Primary Producers in agriculture, forestry and/or fisheries to extend connectivity in their fields and take advantage of connected machinery and sensor technology. Approved businesses will be included on the Round 2 List of Approved Suppliers and will be able to supply equipment to Primary Producers at a reduced rate and claim a rebate of up to 50% of the cost to make up the shortfall. Applicants can access a link to the EOI application on the department’s website. EOIs close on Sunday 29 September 2024. [DITRDCA]
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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. Please note, the survey and online submission process has now closed. The RTIRC are scheduled to be in Katherine and Darwin, NT on 12 September. Find more information at the link above. [RTIRC]
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WebNews #673
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Tel: (02) 9288 4000
Email: media@accan.org.au
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.
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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