Issue No 15: 8 June 2022

ACOMM 2022 Awards - Final Call for Nominations!

Nominations for the 2022 ACOMMS Awards close this Friday 27 May. Nominate today for this nationally recognised and unmissable occasion on the telco events calendar. To make a nomination, visit: https://acomms.com.au/2022/nominate-now/

Telecommunications Service Provider (Customer Identity Authentication) Determination 2022

Communications Alliance would like to remind all Carriage Service Providers (CSPs) of the Telecommunications Service Provider (Customer Identity Authentication) Determination 2022 (Determination) made by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and its new enforceable rules which come into effect on 30 June 2022.  The Determination is available at: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2022L00548

The new rules require all CSPs to take steps to protect their customers, including by:

• using multi-factor identity authentication to confirm that a person requesting a high-risk customer transaction in relation to an existing customer’s telecommunications service, is the customer or their authorised representative.
• having systems in place to identify customers at risk of fraud and provide them with additional fraud mitigation protections.
• publishing customer awareness information on their website, including that identity authentication processes will be used and what customers can do if they suspect their telecommunications service or account has been subject to fraud.

The rules are designed to protect customers from the serious harms (including identity theft) that can result from unauthorised access to accounts and information, such as via fraudulent SIM-swap requests. Given this is a new instrument, the ACMA’s early focus will be on awareness raising and education around the new obligations. The ACMA also expects that industry will pursue concerted efforts to implement without delay, building on existing processes and/or efforts that have already commenced.

The ACMA has published information on their website about compliance with the Determination. CSPs may also consider obtaining independent legal advice to establish compliant systems and processes if needed.

Please direct any enquiries about the Determination to numbering@acma.gov.au. Alternatively, you can contact Juliet.Stuart-Smith@acma.gov.au or Jo.Steele@acma.gov.au.

25 Years

On the 6th June 1997 Communications Alliance, (formerly ACIF) was incorporated. ACIF was formed to coincide with the Telecommunications Act 1997 that came into effect 1 July 1997.

For 25 years Communications Alliance, has provided a unified voice for the Australian communications industry and helped lead it into the next generation of converging networks, technologies and services.

A big thank you to our members for their continued support over the past 25 years. 

Current Consultations

Below is a list of currently open telecommunications-related consultations being conducted by Government and other organisations that provide an opportunity for you to have your say.

Communications Alliance members interested in contributing to an industry submission (if one is being developed in response to a specific consultation) should contact us.