COMPLAINTS IN CONTEXT REPORT SHOWS CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT
Sydney, 23 July 2019 – Consumer complaints to the telecommunications ombudsman fell by 12% in the most recent quarter among participating service providers in the Communications Alliance Complaints in Context report, released today.The latest figures show a decline in complaint ratios over the last quarter and continuing year-on-year reductions.
Complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) as a proportion of services in operation (SIO) for service providers who participate in the report decreased to 6.6 complaints per 10,000 services for the period April - June 2019, and is the lowest rate for the April – June quarter since 2016.
The last 3 quarters reported have been the lowest rate since their equivalent 2016 quarter (except October – December, which was the lowest rate since 2015), showing ongoing progress in improving customer service over the last three years.
The full report, including participant ratios, can be found here.
John Stanton, CEO Communications Alliance, said “we are pleased to see the continuing decrease in the rate of TIO complaints, reflecting improvements in experience for customers of participating providers.
“This ongoing progress will be enhanced with the commencement of Communications Alliance’s revised Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code on 1 August, which includes increased protections for consumers.
“In addition to stronger selling practices, stricter credit assessment, and increased financial hardship provisions, the revised TCP Code will expand our quarterly Complaints in Context report to the top 10 providers who received the most TIO complaints last year, in addition to any volunteers.
“To this date, all participants have been volunteers, and we appreciate their ongoing participation in this valuable report.
“We look forward to publishing the first expanded Complaints in Context report in October, reporting on the July – September quarter. This contextualised data will be helpful for consumers.”
ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS ALLIANCE Communications Alliance is the primary communications industry body in Australia. Its membership is drawn from a wide cross-section of the communications industry, including carriers, carriage and internet service providers, content providers, platform providers, equipment vendors, IT companies, consultants and business groups.
Its vision is to be the most influential association in Australian communications, co-operatively initiating programs that promote sustainable industry development, innovation and growth, while generating positive outcomes for customers and society.
The prime mission of Communications Alliance is to create a co-operative stakeholder environment that allows the industry to take the lead on initiatives which grow the Australian communications industry, enhance the connectivity of all Australians and foster the highest standards of business behaviour. For more details about Communications Alliance, see www.commsalliance.com.au.
Media information contact:
info@commsalliance.com.au