Archives › 2009
ACCAN Closed until January 5
23 December 2009
ACCAN's office is closing at 5pm on 23rd December, and will be open again on 5 January 2010.
Have a safe and happy break!
- The ACCAN team
Category: General | Author: Sarah Wilson
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Check out Sunrise at 7.15am on Tuesday
21 December 2009
ACCAN CEO Allan Asher will be doing an interview with Sunrise (Channel 7) at 7.15am on Tuesday 22 December on our 'pay-to-pay' fees campaign.
See our campaign page here: http://www.accan.org.au/campaign_full.php?id=10
Category: General | Author: Sarah Wilson
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Follow ACCAN at the Broadband Future Forum
10 December 2009
On 10 and 11 December, ACCAN staff will be attending the Realising Our Broadband Future forum being held in Sydney. You can follow our commentary on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/ACCAN_AU
Allan Asher is presenting at 4pm on Monday. Watch the live stream via the forum homepage: http://www.broadbandfuture.gov.au/
Category: General | Author: Sarah Wilson
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Realising Our Broadband Future forum
04 December 2009
On 10 and 11 December, the Government is hosting the Realising Our Broadband Future forum, which seeks to map the applications and business models that will be underpinned by the National Broadband Network. ACCAN’s CEO Allan Asher will also be presenting.
The forum provides many opportunities to participate remotely – you can watch the forum in real time, read and make comments via the forum website and follow developments on Twitter. ACCAN encourages interested parties, particularly our members, to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.
All the details are available here: http://www.broadbandfuture.gov.au
Category: General | Author: Sarah Wilson
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Telstra-TJA Christopher Newell Prize: Entries close 15 Jan 2010
30 November 2009
It’s only six weeks til entries close for the Telstra-TJA Christopher Newell Prize for Telecommunications and Disability.
The prize of $20 000 will be awarded to the author of the best original paper published by the Telecommunications Journal of Australia that demonstrates the tangible benefits that an innovative use of telecommunications technology can deliver in assisting individuals with disabilities.
The prize recognises and commemorates the ground-breaking work of the late Revd Canon Dr Christopher Newell AM within the telecommunications industry from 1990 to 2008 in representing the needs of people with disability.
ACCAN strongly encourages you to circulate this information through your networks.
More information about the prize can be found here
Category: General | Author: Sarah Wilson
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ACCAN Supports Default Barring of MPS
09 November 2009
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has called for new rules that require consumers to give their consent before receiving any kind of mobile premium service.
“Default barring of premium SMS/MMS services should work like international roaming”, said Mr Allan Asher, CEO of ACCAN. “If consumers agree that they want to purchase these types of services, they simply ask for the bar to be lifted and then purchase what they want”.
“Looking at complaint statistics from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, it is abundantly clear that default barring is a necessity. Last year, 68.4% of complaints about mobile premium services were about disputed charges - services that werent asked for, werent wanted, and werent stopped when this was requested”, he continued.
“Automatic barring of mobile premium services would involve little or no action to be taken on the part of consumers. Consumers who want to receive these services can simply opt in to receive them”.
“This straight-forward approach takes the burden from consumers and empowers those who wish to utilise such services to opt-in - which will no doubt be much more straightforward than stopping them has been” he added.
ACCANs full submission is available in the Resources section.
Category: General | Author: ACCAN ADMIN
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ACCAN Seminar: Responsive Regulation and Policy
20 October 2009
ACCAN is holding an afternoon seminar on 4 November, looking at responsive regulation and effective policy making.
Category: General | Author: Sarah Wilson
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Call for Nominations
02 October 2009
ACCAN is currently advertising for nominations on the Standing Advisory Committee on Disability Issues, the Standing Advisory Committee on Consumer Affairs and for ACCAN Board nominations.
For full details about these roles and how to apply, please click here to visit the Participate page on our website.
Category: General | Author: ACCAN ADMIN
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Online Security Survey 2009
09 September 2009
ACCAN is conducting a short survey gauging consumers’ awareness and experiences with online security. Click here
Category: General | Author: ACCAN ADMIN
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Future Consumer Research Report
03 September 2009
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network has today launched Future Consumer: Emerging Consumer Issues in Telecommunications and Convergent Communications and Media.
Click here to read more
Category: General | Author: ACCAN ADMIN
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Want to work at ACCAN?
13 August 2009
We currently have 3 positions available:
* Director of Policy and Campaigns
* Media Officer
* Finance Officer
Click here for details.
Category: General | Author: ACCAN ADMIN
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Telstra fees a ’bad deal’ for consumers
21 July 2009
Telstra’s decision to charge consumers a fee of $2.20 for paying their bills is ill timed and a bad deal for consumers, according to the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), Australia’s new watchdog for communications consumers.
Allan Asher, chief executive of ACCAN said "Tens of thousands of consumers have been affected by poor levels of service and the failure of Telstra to take their complaints seriously. Rather than charging consumers to pay their bills, Telstra should be providing rebates for consumers who have suffered service failure".
Asher went on to say "It is adding insult to injury that Telstra claims the new fee is aimed in part to recover the costs of dealing with consumer complaints. It would be better for everyone -- including Telstra shareholders -- if it improved the quality of service in the first place so consumers aren’t forced to spend frustrating hours trying to resolve service problems".
ACCAN is also critical of the lack of notice -- just seven weeks -- provided to consumers about the new charges. Consumers will not have the opportunity to shop around and get a better deal or to reorganise their bill paying to take advantage of free options.
ACCAN acknowledges that Telstra has included exemptions for some consumers with disabilities and pensioners. However, short notice and lack of clarity about the arrangements will add to consumer anxiety and frustration.
What can consumers do?
• Call your telephone company and ask about the cost of different payment options.
• Switch your billing arrangement to direct debit or B Pay.
• Don’t rush to combine all of your accounts into one bill before checking that it provides value for money. Bundling of services can be very expensive and track consumers in long-term contracts.
• If you have a disability or receive a pension, ask your telephone company about rebates or special arrangements.
• If you have a complaint against the company which they haven’t fixed, contact the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman on 1800 062 058.
Category: General | Author: ACCAN ADMIN
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Optus Supports Website to Help Parents to Talk to their Kids
17 July 2009
Optus and Kids Helpline have created a web site "Talk to your kids" to help parents communicate with their children. The site addresses a range of issues including sexting, cyber bullying and technology. Its emphasis is on creating better communication and awareness of the issues that children are facing and their interaction with contemporary technology.
Click the link above or visit http://talktoyourkids.com.au to access this resource.
Category: General | Author: ACCAN ADMIN
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Mobile Premium Services - Information for Consumers
15 July 2009
A new fact sheet "Mobile premium services - Information for consumers" has been developed jointly by the Australian Communications and Media Authority and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
The fact sheet can be found via ACMA’s information portal here: www.acma.gov.au/premiumsms
Another industry-run information portal can be found here: www.19sms.com.au
Category: General | Author: ACCAN ADMIN
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Privacy and Social Networking
06 July 2009
ACCANs Campaigns and Community Liaison Officer Sarah Wilson spoke with ABC radio today about privacy and social networking.
The predecessor of ACCAN, the Consumers Telecommunications Network, developed a useful tip sheet that explains the basics of social networking sites and what safety precautions you can and should take when signing up. Click here to view the tip sheet.
Other recommended sources of information are:
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner - FAQ on privacy and social networking.
Cybersmart, hosted by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, which provides activities, resources and practical advice to help young kids, kids, teens and parents safely enjoy the online world.
Social networking sites also have their own privacy policies and tips - check at the bottom of the homepage for each individual site.
Category: General | Author: ACCAN ADMIN
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auDA Announce Best Practice Awards
02 July 2009
auDA announces the launch of the 2009 Australia and New Zealand Internet Best Practice Awards
The .au Domain Administration (auDA) is proud to announce the launch of the 2009 Australia and New Zealand Internet Best Practice Awards.
Nominations close on 31 August 2009. Award winners will be announced in October and promoted at the next meeting of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt in November.
How to Enter
Choose a category (below) and submit a 1,000 word document describing how you, or your organisation, have improved the online experience in that category and in what ways you believe your example constitutes best practice.
Make sure to include a completed Entry Form and a separate short statement describing you or your organisation, your logo and photographs of your initiative in practice by the closing date of 31 August 2009. additional information about the Awards is available at www.bestpracticeawards.org.au
The categories for the 2009 Awards are:
- Security – initiatives that are at the forefront of developing solutions to security threats and building trust and confidence in the online environment.
- Openness – initiatives that enable Internet users to benefit from increased access to online materials, knowledge or information.
- Access – initiatives that aim to combat the digital divide, facilitating access for groups such as the elderly, disabled or socially disadvantaged.
- Diversity – initiatives that encourage expressions of cultural diversity and identity, including the promotion of multilingualism and indigenous cultures online.
- A fifth award will be presented recognising the achievements of young Australians or New Zealanders. Applicants for the Youth Award can be eligible under any one of the four main themes.
The Award launch was held on Sat 21st June, in conjunction with the 35th meeting of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in Sydney, speakers will included:
- The Rt Hon Alun Michael MP, former UK Minister of State for Industry and Chair of the UK’s Internet Best Practice Awards
- Senator Kate Lundy
- The Hon Tony Staley, auDA Board Chair
- Chris Disspain – auDA CEO
- Keith Davidson - InternetNZ
Category: General | Author: ACCAN ADMIN
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New Office Opens Doors
02 July 2009
ACCAN has opened its office at Suite 4.02, 55 Mountain Street Ultimo NSW 2007. We have a small staff team and we are gradually getting all our services installed and on line. We are really looking forward to engaging with consumers, industry, regulators and the government so stay tune for more updates very soon.
Category: General | Author: ACCAN ADMIN
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Feedback on Website
02 July 2009
Welcome to ACCAN’s new website - we are very interested in your feedback about this site so please send us comments on how we could improve the useability of the site and the relevance of information provided.
Category: General | Author: ACCAN ADMIN
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