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.This represents a critical failure in Telstra’s duty as the nation’s designated emergency service call provider and falls well short of the standard the public expects from Australia’s largest telecommunications company.ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said that the incident must be treated as a warning sign—and a call to action to modernise Australia’s emergency call infrastructure.“People with hearing impairments rely on the 106 service as their lifeline to emergency assistance. When this fails, their safety is at risk,” Ms Bennett said.“We are fortunate that no one was harmed during this outage—but relying on luck is not a public safety strategy. This should be treated as a near-miss and a wake-up call.”“We thank&nbsp;Telstra for committing to an independent review of what went wrong and look forward to hearing how systems and processes will be strengthened to prevent a recurrence.”“This incident underscores the urgent need to modernise Australia’s emergency services. Text-to-Triple-Zero is already in place in many countries. Australia must not fall further behind."“With new technologies such as&nbsp;SMS via low-earth orbit satellite becoming available, the time to implement accessible, resilient emergency communication is now,” Ms Bennett said.ACCAN continues to call on the Federal Government to prioritise investment in a ‘Next Generation Triple Zero’ system to ensure all Australians—regardless of location or accessibility needs—can reach emergency services reliably, at any time.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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.This represents a critical failure in Telstra’s duty as the nation’s designated emergency service call provider and falls well short of the standard the public expects from Australia’s largest telecommunications company.ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said that the incident must be treated as a warning sign—and a call to action to modernise Australia’s emergency call infrastructure.“People with hearing impairments rely on the 106 service as their lifeline to emergency assistance. When this fails, their safety is at risk,” Ms Bennett said.“We are fortunate that no one was harmed during this outage—but relying on luck is not a public safety strategy. This should be treated as a near-miss and a wake-up call.”“We thank&nbsp;Telstra for committing to an independent review of what went wrong and look forward to hearing how systems and processes will be strengthened to prevent a recurrence.”“This incident underscores the urgent need to modernise Australia’s emergency services. Text-to-Triple-Zero is already in place in many countries. Australia must not fall further behind."“With new technologies such as&nbsp;SMS via low-earth orbit satellite becoming available, the time to implement accessible, resilient emergency communication is now,” Ms Bennett said.ACCAN continues to call on the Federal Government to prioritise investment in a ‘Next Generation Triple Zero’ system to ensure all Australians—regardless of location or accessibility needs—can reach emergency services reliably, at any time.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Telecommunications / VoIP

Telstra emergency service outage ‘a near-miss’ – with lessons to be learnt

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

The Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO), announced today, is an important response from the Minister for Communications to the review of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) – which ACCAN, consumers and many in the telco industry regard as outdated and not reflective of modern consumer needs.

ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said, “we welcome this announcement by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland to significantly expand Australian’s access to the mobile services they rely on for their health, wellbeing, work and safety.

“ACCAN has been calling for an expanded and modern USO that takes into account new technology and the increasingly volatile climate that is impacting connectivity in times of extreme weather events. Challenging times call for workable and accessible solutions. This initiative will improve access, choice and reliability to essential telco connectivity,” Ms Bennett said.

The development of Low Earth Orbit satellite (LEOSat) connectivity has made a major difference to many Australian consumers, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas. This technology has provided access to internet speed and low latency that was not possible through previous technologies. Until now, LEOSat connectivity has been limited to the internet. With trials of Direct-to-Handset connectivity well underway and a commercial rollout pending – now is the time to act on all of the reviews and consultations on telco services.

“While this initiative recognises next generation technology, it hasn't ignored the importance of continued investment in existing terrestrial networks to underpin continued certainty especially in our regional, rural and remote regions where it is needed to guarantee continued productivity and safety,” Ms Bennett concluded.

Australia’s peak communications consumer body,&nbsp;ACCAN, welcomes the government’s announcement that requirements will be placed upon major mobile carriers to significantly expand mobile coverage across the country.The Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO), announced today, is an important response from the Minister for Communications to the review of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) – which ACCAN, consumers and many in the telco industry regard as outdated and not reflective of modern consumer needs.ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said, “we welcome this announcement by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland to significantly expand Australian’s access to the mobile services they rely on for their health, wellbeing, work and safety.“ACCAN has been calling for an expanded and modern USO that takes into account new technology and the increasingly volatile climate that is impacting connectivity in times of extreme weather events. Challenging times call for workable and accessible solutions. This initiative will improve access, choice and reliability to essential telco connectivity,” Ms Bennett said.The development of Low Earth Orbit satellite (LEOSat) connectivity has made a major difference to many Australian consumers, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas. This technology has provided access to internet speed and low latency that was not possible through previous technologies. Until now, LEOSat connectivity has been limited to the internet. With trials of Direct-to-Handset connectivity well underway and a commercial rollout pending – now is the time to act on all of the reviews and consultations on telco services.“While this initiative recognises next generation technology, it hasn't ignored the importance of continued investment in existing terrestrial networks to underpin continued certainty especially in our regional, rural and remote regions where it is needed to guarantee continued productivity and safety,” Ms Bennett concluded.

Internet Service Provider / Line connection

Media Release – At last, a boost to consumer telco connectivity, choice and safety

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

ACCAN’s CEO, Carol Bennett, said the reforms will promote increased accountability, transparency and compliance within the telecommunications industry, and contribute towards improving trust in telcos which has been eroding.

“This announcement by the Australian Government addresses longstanding calls from consumer advocates to improve accountability in the telecommunications sector and we applaud these critical reforms,” she said.

“The government’s announcement to boost the enforcement powers of the ACMA will ensure telcos face real and meaningful penalties if they breach their obligations to Australians. This is a critical step towards ensuring that the telco sector works in the interests of consumers.”

“Granting the ACMA greater and more timely enforcement powers goes a long way towards addressing the persistent limitations of the ACMA’s regulatory toolkit”.

The changes will be part of expanded consumer protections under a suite of reforms to the&nbsp;Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth).

The changes will mean the regulator, ACMA, will now be able to take direct enforcement action against breaches of industry codes rather than first having to issue a formal direction to comply.

The reforms also provide for significant increases to maximum penalties for breaches of industry codes and standards, from $250,000 to $10 million, bringing the telco sector in line with other essential service sectors.

The Australian Government also announced that it will establish a Carriage Service Provider (CSP) registration scheme to increase the visibility of providers in the telecommunications market. A CSP registration scheme will support a telecommunications market that works efficiently for all participants and provide much needed oversight of the market by the ACMA.

ACCAN - Australia’s peak national communications consumer body – has hailed the Federal Government’s strengthening of enforcement powers a major win for telecommunications consumers.ACCAN’s CEO, Carol Bennett, said the reforms will promote increased accountability, transparency and compliance within the telecommunications industry, and contribute towards improving trust in telcos which has been eroding.“This announcement by the Australian Government addresses longstanding calls from consumer advocates to improve accountability in the telecommunications sector and we applaud these critical reforms,” she said.“The government’s announcement to boost the enforcement powers of the ACMA will ensure telcos face real and meaningful penalties if they breach their obligations to Australians. This is a critical step towards ensuring that the telco sector works in the interests of consumers.”“Granting the ACMA greater and more timely enforcement powers goes a long way towards addressing the persistent limitations of the ACMA’s regulatory toolkit”.The changes will be part of expanded consumer protections under a suite of reforms to the&nbsp;Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth).The changes will mean the regulator, ACMA, will now be able to take direct enforcement action against breaches of industry codes rather than first having to issue a formal direction to comply.The reforms also provide for significant increases to maximum penalties for breaches of industry codes and standards, from $250,000 to $10 million, bringing the telco sector in line with other essential service sectors.The Australian Government also announced that it will establish a Carriage Service Provider (CSP) registration scheme to increase the visibility of providers in the telecommunications market. A CSP registration scheme will support a telecommunications market that works efficiently for all participants and provide much needed oversight of the market by the ACMA.

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Media Release – New enforcement powers a major win for telco consumers

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Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN)