From TechWeek Europe and the Daily Telegraph: The European Commission has voted to end the practice of imposing mobile roaming charges when travelling to different countries in Europe, beginning in July next year. Europe’s 27 commissioners followed a recommendation from vice president Neelie Kroes, and voted last week to abolish roaming charges in Europe. The […] Read more »
Communications Law & NBN eNews Items
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Utel Networks pays infringement notices for misleading consumers
From the ACCC: Utel Networks Pty Ltd has paid three infringement notices, totalling $19,800, and provided a court enforceable undertaking to the Australian Competition and Conmsumer Commission (ACCC) for misrepresentations made by them to customers through their telemarketing activities. Utel Networks provides a number of telecommunications services, and markets these services through a Phillipines-based subsidiary. […] Read more »
TIO Complaint Statistics for January to March 2013
From the TIO: The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) has released complaints statistics for the first three months of 2013. The TIO’s summary of the statistics is as follows: The TIO received 40,021 new complaints between January and March 2013, an increase of 4.5 per cent when compared to the previous quarter, and a 23.3 per […] Read more »
IACCM publishes 20 critical information security controls
From the IACCM: The International Association for Contract & Commercial Management (IACCM) has published a useful checklist for businesses seeking a guide to information security controls. Based on the SANS Institute’s ‘Top 20 Critical Controls’ document, the guidance is useful for businesses to prioritise and fund information security initiatives. The top 20 tips are Inventory […] Read more »
Vodafone warned by ACMA over advertising
From the ACMA: The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued a formal warning to Vodafone Pty Ltd for a breach of the Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code (TCP Code). The warning relates to a failure by Vodafone to prominently display its standard charges for a mobile phone offer, as required by clause 4.2.6 of […] Read more »
ACCC finalises wholesale prices for broadband services on Telstra’s copper network
From the ACCC: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced that it has completed its inquiry to set terms and conditions for the wholesale ADSL service and published a Final Access Determination (FAD). Retailers utilise Telstra’s copper network to provide ADSL broadband internet to customers. The FAD lays out the price and non-price […] Read more »
ACCC announces inquiry into access to mobile networks
From the ACCC: The ACCC has announced a public inquiry into whether it would be preferable to extend, vary or revoke the domestic mobile terminating access service (MTAS) declaration, or whether to make a new declaration. The MTAS is a service offered between competitors so that calls on different mobile networks can be connected. Mobile […] Read more »
ACMA warns AAPT about privacy
From the ACMA: The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has formally warned AAPT Limited (AAPT) regarding its to protect the privacy of its customers’ personal information as required by the Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code (TCP Code). The ACMA initiated an investigation into AAPT following media reports that some of AAPT’s customer data had been […] Read more »
OAIC investigating Telstra data breach
From the OAIC: The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has opened an investigation into a data breach that resulted in the publication of Telstra customer’s private information online. Australian Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim issued the following statement: “Telstra has briefed our office about this incident and advised that the documents are no longer […] Read more »
OAIC: Australian Privacy Principles guidance
From the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner: The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has released a pair of guidances comparing the proposed new Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) with Australia’s current National Privacy Principles (NPPs) and the Information Privacy Principles (IPPs). The APPs are found in the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act […] Read more »
ACCC Chairman Rod Sims: ACCC well placed to deal with communications revolution
From the ACCC: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Chairman Rod Sims, speaking at the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce in Brisbane, has said that the ACCC is is well placed to deal with the many issues flowing from the continuing communications industry revolution. Mr Sims spoke of the benefits of a combined competition, consumer […] Read more »
ACMA Contemporary community safeguards inquiry
From the ACMA: The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced the commencement of the ‘Contemporary community safeguards inquiry’. The inquiry will focus on the need for broadcasting standards to remain in line with changing community expectations. The ACMA is seeking to to explore and establish the core principles that should guide the content […] Read more »
ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman: Telco and media reforms continue
From the ACMA: Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Chairman Chris Chapman has delivered a speech outlining the current work and priorities of the ACMA at the Communications Day Summit. Among the ACMA initiatives and priorities highlighted were the following: A spectrum plan which portended a $30 smart phone handset and potential economic benefits to […] Read more »
ACCC draft decision on NBN Co Special Access Undertaking
From the ACCC, the DBCDE and the Australian Financial Review: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued its draft decision on the the revised Special Access Undertaking (SAU) lodged by NBN Co. The SAU is to form a key part of the framework to determine the cost and other terms under which NBN […] Read more »
Key EU nations take legal action against Google
From TechNewsWorld: 6 key EU nations have joined forces to take legal action against Google over the privacy protections of its user data. France, Spain, Italy, the UK, the Netherlands and Germany have announced that they will take joint legal action against Google over its privacy policies. The action will include investigations, and possible fines. […] Read more »