28 June 2012: The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) will have strengthened powers to help more consumers with telecommunications complaints.
From 1 July 2012, there will be a significant increase in the monetary value of the complaints the TIO can help with, and a change to the way it classifies a small business.
“An increase in powers is always a good thing for consumers who cannot resolve the issues they are having with their service providers,” Ombudsman Simon Cohen said.
The changes mean the TIO will have the power to give legally binding directions to service providers of up to $50,000 in value, and to make recommendations up to $100,000. This is an increase from direction powers of $30,000 and recommendation powers of $85,000.
“The adjustment to our monetary limits means that consumers who previously had disputes too large for us to deal with will now have access to our fast, free and independent service,” Ombudsman Simon Cohen said.
Full story here.