The members of the Fair Call Coalition, an alliance of 23 consumer organisations, is calling on the Minister for Communications, Anika Wells, to exercise her powers and direct the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to establish industry standards addressing critical consumer protections, following the ACMA’s rejection of the Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code.

Australia’s peak consumer body ACCAN has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Communications Anika Wells that public outage registers will be established in the wake of successive network failures.

Australia's peak communications consumer body ACCAN has today welcomed the decision of the telco regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), to refuse to register the draft Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code.

Telcos must not pocket windfall profits through reduced spectrum licence fees, and instead commit to reinvesting funds saved in reduced fees in ways which benefit consumers, peak communications consumer body ACCAN has urged in a position paper released today.

Peak communications consumer body ACCAN today has expressed concern about increasing financial hardship complaints (up 46%) and issues regarding poor mobile coverage (up 25%), revealed in the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman's 2024-25 Annual Report.

Consumers deserve to know where and when telco outages occur, and need to see a transparent, public register of outages, says peak communications consumer body ACCAN in a new position paper published today.

Peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, has welcomed draft legislation to establish a Triple Zero Custodian - a key recommendation of the 2024 Bean Review – but wants to see it strengthened to hold telcos to account.

Peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, has today expressed deep concern over reports of another outage restricting access to regular and emergency communications services to Optus customers in the Illawarra region, and is calling on the Communications Minister to introduce strong, independent oversight of Optus’ Triple Zero systems via the imposition of a new licence condition.

New national research from peak communications consumer body ACCAN has revealed that trust in Australia’s telecommunications sector continues to fall, with consumers continuing to report poor sales practices at alarmingly high levels.

Peak communications consumer body ACCAN has today identified urgent steps that must be taken in the aftermath of an Optus Triple Zero outage during which at least three people tragically died after failed attempts to contact Triple Zero (000), and around 600 emergency calls did not connect.

Peak communications consumer group ACCAN welcomes the Federal Government’s response to the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee (RTIRC) report, and the publication of draft legislation for the proposed Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO).

Peak national communications consumer body ACCAN has expressed its deep sympathy following confirmation that three Australians have died after being unable to reach Triple Zero during an Optus outage.

New evidence shows the communications regulator has delayed intervening in the telco industry’s self-regulatory Code process, despite in May 2023 holding concerns about progress on code revisions made by industry and signalling the need for direct regulation.

The Fair Call Coalition - an alliance of 20 consumer organisations - is calling on the ACMA to scrap the self-regulatory Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code and move to directly regulate essential telco consumer protections.

Peak communications consumer body ACCAN welcomes the reintroduction to Parliament today of the Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025.

Two new research projects funded through ACCAN's 2025 Independent Grants Program will explore the big issues affecting communications consumers — from competition in the digital economy to access in remote regional communities.

Peak communications consumer body ACCAN acknowledges the data breach impacting TPG Telecom sub-brand iiNet.

ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said that affected customers can take proactive steps to protect their information.

Australia’s peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, has today welcomed Federal Court proceedings against Google Asia Pacific for anti-competitive conduct involving Telstra and Optus.

Australia’s peak consumer communications body, ACCAN, has today welcomed the finding of the Federal Court that Google and Apple breached the Competition and Consumer Act by misusing their market power to reduce competition in app markets.

Peak communications consumer body ACCAN acknowledges the court proceedings initiated today by the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) against Optus for alleged breaches of the Privacy Act 1988.

We welcome the OAIC taking this action with the stated aim of taking “the action necessary to uphold the rights of the Australian community."

A new report from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) has confirmed that telcos are falling short of their legal obligations to help Australians in financial hardship, and in some cases, they’re making things worse.

ACCAN is calling on the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to conduct a transparent, public audit of telco compliance.

Peak communications consumer body ACCAN welcomes this morning’s announcement of a partnership between NBN Co and Amazon’s Project Kuiper to deliver Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite broadband to hard-to-serve communities across Australia, replacing the ageing Sky Muster satellites.

Peak communications consumer body ACCAN has strongly welcomed the Australian Government’s decision to extend the social media ban for children under 16 to include YouTube.

Peak communications consumer body ACCAN is calling on the 48th Parliament to act on long-awaited reforms to ensure accessible, affordable and reliable communications for all Australians.

In recent months, multiple reviews and inquiries have been completed and some await a government response. It’s time for many of those findings and recommendations to be realised in government policy.

Home internet and mobile connectivity are now considered essential by the vast majority of Australians. Price is the number one factor when choosing a plan, yet few people are actively checking the market for a better deal.

These are some of the key insights from the new Consumer Sentiment Tracker, commissioned by the peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, and which is now available.

Peak communications body, ACCAN, today raised significant concerns that the Federal government could forgo billions of dollars if the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) goes forward with its proposed approach to the renewal of spectrum licenses. 

Australia’s peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, has welcomed news that Optus will pay one of the largest consumer law penalties in Australian history - a $100 million fine, subject to court approval, for unconscionable conduct.

ACCAN has today welcomed the announcement from Minister for Communications Anika Wells that the Telecommunications (Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Consumer Protections) Industry Standard 2025 has been finalised and will come into effect on 1 July 2025 as a crucial milestone for Australians experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence.

Peak communications consumer body ACCAN has expressed concern following today’s news that Telstra has been fined for failing to maintain access for more than 12 hours to the 106 emergency call service used by Australians with hearing and speech impairments.

Too many Australians are being pressured into phone and internet deals that don’t meet their needs. The industry-drafted rules that are in place to protect consumers from harmful sales practices simply aren’t working, and must be replaced with direct regulation, says the Fair Call Coalition – 23 peak consumer bodies with an interest in a fair deal for telco consumers.

Peak communications consumer body, ACCAN is deeply concerned about the impact of Telstra’s announcement of imminent price increases on mobile and internet plans on consumers struggling with the cost of living.

ACCAN, the national peak body representing communications consumers, is deeply concerned about allegations levelled at Telstra today by rival telco TPG Telecom.

ACCAN, the national peak body representing communications consumers, congratulates the Albanese Labor Government on its re-election and a clear mandate from the Australian community for reforms and policies that ensure Australia leads as a nation that supports growth, productivity and wellbeing of its citizens.

Australia’s peak communications consumer body, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network – ACCAN, is calling on the major parties to commit to a concessional internet product delivered by NBN Co to provide a cost-of-living boost to low-income Australians this Federal election.

This follows a new ACCAN report undertaken by Essential Research which shows significant popular support for a concessional internet product, and strong demand for cheaper broadband services for people doing it tough in a cost-of-living crisis.

Preliminary research commissioned by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) raises alarm bells for policymakers and regulators. Findings point to widespread consumer harm and deep mistrust in the telecommunications industry.

The polling, conducted as part of the first tranche of ACCAN’s consumer sentiment research, highlights troubling experiences of telco behaviour and unmet expectations.

Australia’s peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, has today called for the weak and ineffective industry-drafted Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code to be scrapped in favour of robust and enforceable industry standards that better protect Australian consumers.

With the recovery from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred underway—and many parts of Australia's east coast still experiencing significant rain and flooding—attention must soon turn to how new communications technology that can support those in emergency situations due to natural disasters, says peak communications consumer body ACCAN.

Australia’s peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, welcomes the government’s announcement that requirements will be placed upon major mobile carriers to significantly expand mobile coverage across the country.

Australia’s peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, has expressed deep concern over new Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) data, which reveals a sharp increase in consumer complaints and a troubling rise in unresolved cases late in late 2024.

The Government has today put new legislation before parliament to boost protections for Australian telco consumers.

ACCAN - Australia’s peak national communications consumer body – welcomes the legislation as a vital step forward for consumers who have too often been left in the lurch by failures of a regulatory framework that has been largely voluntary, too weak, and poorly enforced.

Australia’s peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, is calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the conduct and culture of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) following troubling revelations about its close collaboration with major telcos.

ACCAN - Australia’s peak national communications consumer body – has hailed the Federal Government’s strengthening of enforcement powers a major win for telecommunications consumers.

Australians stand to benefit from a $3 billion equity investment from the Federal Government in the National Broadband Network to upgrade Fibre to the Node (FTTN) technology. This commitment will be boosted by an $800m NBN Co commitment.

Peak communications consumer body ACCAN has welcomed the findings of the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee (RTIRC) 2024 report, particularly the call for action on stronger consumer protections under the Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code and universal service reform in 2025.

Peak communications consumer body ACCAN has welcomed regulatory action against Telstra for significant Triple Zero failings earlier this year, and urged a modernisation of Triple Zero services.

Consumers will now have a voice at the table to determine how the NBN can better serve the needs of communities around Australia thanks to a $2.56 million funding grant from the Australian Government to the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN).

National communications consumer body ACCAN is encouraging consumers to Stop, Check, and Protect to remain scam safe this Black Friday and Christmas sales season.

In a significant win for Australians fed up with the onslaught of fake, deceptive and damaging text message scams, the SMS Sender ID Register will be made mandatory.

ACCAN has today welcomed the decisive action by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in holding Optus to account and issuing a $12 million fine for risking the welfare of hundreds of consumers during the widespread outage of November 2023. This latest fine signals the need for the company and its new CEO, Steven Rue, to put consumers first in its business practices.

Better public information on regulator enforcement is required, according to a new report published by the Centre for Media Transition.