Issue No 5: 4 March 2021

ACOMM 2021 Awards - Nominate Now!

Nominations are now open for the ACOMM 2021 Awards. Do you know a Communication or a Digital Platform company (with 200+ employees in Australia) offering an innovative service or product that drives industry growth? Nominate them in the Innovation (large) category at www.acomms.com.au by May 21. See all 12 nomination categories here

Reminder on changes to Complaints Handling and Consumer Information Standards

Retail Service Providers (RSPs) are reminded that the ACMA’s remaining revisions to the Consumer Complaints Handling Industry Standard and the NBN Consumer Information Industry Standard come into effect on 1 April 2021. Both instruments also underwent a change to the definition of Consumer on 14 December 2020.

Revisions to the Complaints Handling Standard were made in a variation instrument. Changes include new requirements for internal processes and some additional or altered timeframes.

Revisions to the Consumer Information Standard were also made by a variation instrument. Those changes include a requirement for the Key Facts Sheet for some services to set out remedies to be made available.

Members are welcome to contact Communications Alliance with any questions.

ACMA Review of Spectrum Pricing

The Communications Alliance Satellite Services Working Group (SSWG) supports the ACMA’s proposal to significantly reduce many of the apparatus licence taxes applicable to satellite services – an initiative that will improve the global competitiveness of Australian services. In its submission to the ACMA’s Discussion Paper, the SSWG has also highlighted areas where price reductions are not proposed, but where the SSWG believes such reductions would benefit Australian satellite service users and promote further investment. In addition, the SSWG has proposed some further innovation and flexibility in a number of aspects of the antenna licence design, such as for multiple co-located, co-frequency antennas and also changes to the application of apparatus tax licences for technology trials.

Supporting the Outcomes of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019

In a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties’ reporting of the Partial Revision of the 2015 Radio Regulations, Communications Alliance has provided its support to the action of Parliament to consent for Australia to be bound by the Partial Revision of the Radio Regulations, recognising the benefits in aligning Australia with the international community on the use of radiofrequency spectrum and orbital resources and strengthen international cooperation.

Submission to Productivity Commission inquiry on Right to Repair

Communications Alliance has made a submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry on the Right to Repair, pointing to the existing robust protections in the Australian Consumer Law, supporting the submission by the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) and raising concerns about possible security impacts of any changes.