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Weekly WebNews
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IN THE NEWS: 3G shutdown only days away, new funding to fix mobile black spots announced, and LEOsat voice trials commence
CEO MESSAGE: This WebNews marks a watershed moment in Australian communications. By the time you are reading next week’s edition, remaining 3G networks run by Telstra and Optus will have closed down. We have been active this week undertaking final public awareness efforts in print, radio and online media.
Our focus has been on ensuring that consumers are on the front foot when it comes to making final preparations for the closure of 3G networks. We have urged consumers to check their mobile phones will work properly post-shutdown by texting ‘3’ to ‘3498’ and visiting 3gclosure.com.au. We are also keen to ensure that those people who rely on non-handset devices which rely on 3G know that they will stop working as expected. From water and soil sensors to personal medical alarms, pacemakers, CPAP machines, EFTPOS machine, and wearable health monitors, we are asking if consumers know whether their devices will compatible. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have worked with us around health and medical devices information for consumers and we have welcomed the Medical Technology Association of Australia’s new guidance for Australians who rely on medical devices. Telstra have also written a final blog post to guide consumers through to 28 October safely.
I was pleased to participate in a panel address to Telstra sustainability, legal, compliance staff hosted by former ACCAN CEO, Teresa Corbin and Bill Gallagher from Telstra on the important theme of trust on Monday this week. Alongside colleagues Luke Coleman, CEO of Comms Alliance and Sam Yorke from the ACMA, there were a number of shared views around the importance of consumer trust to a healthy and dependable communications sector and the role that we all play in improving the standing of the industry in the eyes of Australians.
As this week draws to a close, senior ACCAN staff and I are attending the RadComms conference in Melbourne, hosted by the ACMA. Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, headlined the conference about her vision to turn Australia into ‘the most connected continent on earth’. A series of speakers and panels have addressed the key issues and challenges facing the sector and ultimately impacting consumers into the future. It is a time of great disruption and opportunity in the sector.
During the week ACCAN staff have also attended the 2024 Audio Description Symposium in Perth and the Charles Todd Oration hosted by NBN Co in Sydney.
Finally, the week also saw a flurry of activity from consumers and other stakeholders on the draft scams prevention framework legislation. With the draft legislation set to go before federal parliament in the final three sitting weeks, there remains some concern about its ability to achieve the stated objective of curbing the significant and increasing cost of scams to Australians. At a minimum, we would like to see a presumption of reimbursement together with the burden of proof removed from consumers already shaken by stolen personal finances underpinning this legislation.
I hope you enjoy this edition of WebNews.
Carol Bennett
Chief Executive Officer
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The ABC has warned Australians that new and refurbished phones sourced from overseas may not work as anticipated after 3G networks close on Monday. Our CEO Carol Bennett was interviewed for the piece – she shared ACCAN’s concerns that internationally sourced phones, for example from the US and China, were not compatible with Optus and Telstra's main 4G frequency of 700MHz, or band 28. Consumers with these devices may see coverage reductions for regular and emergency calls. Similar concerns were aired by CHOICE last week. Now is the time to check your devices at 3gclosure.com.au. [ABC]
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The government will soon launch Round 8 of the Mobile Black Spot Program, a program which has previously delivered over $1 billion in investments to improving mobile coverage around the country. Local councillors and State and Federal MPs can now nominate areas for funding through an online Project Noticeboard. ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett has talked about the issue of mobile black spots, and the ongoing National Audit of Mobile Coverage, in the media this week. To listen to a recent interview with ABC Radio Brisbane, visit the ABC Listen website, and navigate to 1:17:30 on the player. [Minister Rowland]
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ACCAN is pleased to join two new members of ACMA’s 8-member Consumer Consultative Forum (CCF) – the ACMA’s telco consumer advisory group – for a 3-year term. The CCF plays an important role in advising the ACMA on a broad range of policy and regulatory issues affecting telecommunications consumers. ACCAN is looking forward to working with Safe and Equal, Associate Professor Lyndon Ormond-Parker from the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group and Country Women's Association of NSW [ACMA]
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Telstra has announced a continuation of its support for consumers in need, offering 30,000 free ‘Top-Up’ prepaid recharges for those in vulnerable situations. As cost-of-living pressures grow, bill affordability has become a leading consumer issue. This article references research ACCAN commissioned last year which showed that many Australians are finding that their telco bills are increasingly out of reach and foregoing essentials like food or medicine to make payments. While Telstra’s announcement of free prepaid credit for vulnerable customers is a welcome development, it is something of a double-edged sword, with prepaid customers this week facing hikes to their monthly bills. You can access this assistance by searching for the ‘Telstra Top Up Program’. [The Australian]
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The government has announced a significant trial of fixed voice and Low Earth Orbit Satellite (LEOsat) connectivity. This is a notable step forward for consumers, particularly in regional areas. With direct to handset connectivity anticipated to provide mobile phones with voice and text capabilities in the future, these trials may inform future universal service policies. As part of the trials, the reliability and quality of voice calls will be tracked, and impacts of weather conditions on services will be tested. [Critical Comms]
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ACCAN is hiring a policy manager! This is a rare opportunity for an experienced public policy professional to lead a busy team of policy advisers and coordinate the drafting and development of policy across a wide range of consumer policy issues. Candidates with interest and experience in communications and digital policy issues, public policy and team management are highly desired for this role. For more information, to apply, or to have a confidential discussion with us, please visit the link above. [ACCAN]
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It was great to be in Melbourne for the 2024 RadComms conference run by the ACMA this week. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland MP outlined ambitious plans to make Australia 'the most connected continent on earth'. Of particular interest was data on the astonishing take-up of Starlink by Australians. Approximately 250,000 Australians use the service, a significant slice of global users. Pictured below is ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett asking a question about the Universal Service Obligation on the floor of the conference. [ACMA]
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Happy 10th birthday to BIRRR!
ACCAN would like to wish BIRRR - Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia – a heartfelt congratulations on their 10th birthday. BIRRR does vital work to advocate for improved communications services in the regions. They do this in their own stead, and through the Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition, in which ACCAN and BIRRR work together. Thanks for all your excellent work over the years. You can find out more about BIRRR and their work at the link above [BIRRR]
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ACCAN attended the 2024 Audio Description Symposium on Friday last week. The symposium brought together audio describers, academics, advocates, and members of the broader Audio Description (AD) community to discuss the policies and standards for AD in Australia. The event highlighted the ongoing urgent need for legislation that would improve access to audio description in Australia. Thank you to the team from the Centre for Culture & Technology for putting together this event. Pictured is Dr Kathryn Locke, Professor Katie Ellis, Professor Tama Leaver and Professor Mike Kent from Curtin University with David Swayn from ACCAN next to a screen displaying text “2024 Audio Description Symposium, Friday 18 October 2024”. [Curtin University]
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WebNews #680
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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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