Issue No 3: 10 February 2020

ACOMMS 2020 Nominations Open!

Nominations have opened for the Australian communications industry’s premier awards - the ACOMMS - with 12 categories celebrating performance excellence in innovation, customer service, artificial intelligence, sustainability, the space sector, diversity and inclusion and product solutions across the breadth of the telecommunications sector.

New Categories for 2020

• Diversity and Inclusion
• Sustainability
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Australian Space Industry Award
  

Australia’s leading national newspaper, The Australian is once again the official Media Partner of the ACOMMS in 2020.

The ACOMM awards will be presented at the 14th Annual ACOMMS Dinner on 26 August, 2020 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, attended by more than 400 senior players from industry, the media, regulators and the Parliamentary sphere.

Media Release

Visit the 2019 ACOMMS photo gallery here and highlights video here. Media Release here.

2020 KEY DATES
Launch: Monday 10 February
Nominations Close: Monday 18 May
Early Bird Registrations Close: Thursday 18 June
Shortlist Announced: Thursday 9 July
ACOMM Awards Presentation Dinner: Wednesday 26 August  

ACOMMS 2020 - Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsoring the ACOMMS provides a unique opportunity for brand positioning. As a sponsor, you will have your organisation highlighted in front of a sell-out audience of more than 450 - including some of the most influential professionals and decision-makers in the Telco industry, Government and the regulatory sphere.  Please contact Carolyn Todd on +61 3 9663 3093 or email info@acomms.com.au to discuss sponsorship opportunities at the 2020 ACOMM Awards.

www.acomms.com.au

Communications Alliance Submission to ACMA Revisions of NBN Consumer Experience Rules and Complaints Handling Standard

Communications Alliance has called on the ACMA to ensure that any changes made to the NBN Consumer Experience Rules and Complaints Handling Standard follow the Australian Government Guide to Regulation, first identifying and defining what problems these proposed revisions are intended to solve. Industry expended significant resources to implement these rules when they were made, and have also been working to improve customer experience in migration and complaints. In the past year we have seen declines in complaints both directly to providers and to the TIO, showing that these efforts have had a positive impact. However, continual and unnecessary regulatory changes would incur high costs for providers and create uncertainty that makes it difficult to invest in long term solutions to improve customer experience. In this context, it is important to ensure any additional changes are necessary and proportionate.

The full submission can be found here.

Improved Spectrum Access and Pricing For Satellite Services

In its submission, to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) the Communications Alliance Satellite Services Working Group (SSWG) has supported the approaches outlined in the latest ACMA consultation, which proposes changes to the licencing conditions in the Radiocommunications (Communication with Space Object) Class Licence 2015 (CSO class licence), to existing and new spectrum bands, including the 11, 18 and 28 GHz (Ku and Ka) bands.

The outcomes from these changes to the Australian regulatory framework will represent a welcome step forward in accommodating new and diverse satellite services and will enhance Australia’s move into an increasingly broadband and ubiquitous satellite-based era.

Proposed reductions in licence taxes and changes to Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) licence conditions in the 11 and 18 GHz bands have been welcomed. One concern though, that has been raised by the SSWG, is the proposed restriction of the CSO Class Licence in the Ka band to 28.3 GHz, essentially creating a 200 MHz guard band, which in the view of the SSWG is not required. This will lead to the inefficient use of spectrum and will constrict the capacity available for the introduction of new FSS applications such as with Earth Satellites in Motion (ESIM).

We’ve Started the Countdown to Safer Internet Day!

On Tuesday 11 February 2020, Communications Alliance is pleased to be supporting the work of Australia’s eSafety Commissioner by spreading online safety messages and promoting the positive use of digital technology.

Celebrated in over 150 countries, the Safer Internet Day theme is: ‘Together for a better internet’. We are encouraging all Australians to start the chat to help improve online safety within their communities, and make every day a Safer Internet Day.

This year we are supporting Safer Internet Day by promoting online safety messages on social media using #SID2020 #SIDesafety and we encourage you to join in!

Help spread the word and raise awareness. The first step to a better internet is to talk about the potential risks and ways to avoid them. You can host a Safer Internet Day activity or simply start a conversation in your community about coming ‘together for a better internet’.
To find out how to get involved and stay safe online visit esafety.gov.au/safer-internet-day