CTN WebNews Edition #250
Tuesday June 9, 2009 _________
CTN advocates on behalf of residential consumers of telecommunications in the development of national telecommunications policy.
Our website is www.ctn.org.au _________
CONTENTS
1. Hot Topic on the CTN Website - CTN Publications Survey 2. National E-security Awareness Week 3. The National Unfair Contract Terms Law 4. NSW Telecommunications Facilities Code, including Broadband 5. ACMA issues remedial direction to Green Tree Frog for contravening the TIO Scheme 6. ACMA signs MOU with New Zealand to help fight spam 7. ACMA obtains interlocutory orders in SMS spam case 8. ACCC proposes a five year extension for key telecommunications declarations 9. ACCC issues MTAS declaration final report 10. Bushfire help calls stranded in the system 11. Government collects regulatory reform papers 12. Internet filter: $44.5m and no goal in sight 13. Worries mount on ABC web ambition 14. Parents could 'spy' on kids' mobile phones 15. CommBank cyber scam hits phone and SMS 16. Dealers still fuming at 'clumsy' Telstra system 17. Mobile, VoIP and geographic phone numbers 18. Who really uses Twitter? And why? 19. CR Matters Newsletter 20. Sony Ericsson unveils 'green' handsets that cut carbon footprint by 15% 21. BT accused of download throttling 22. Conferences and Events _________
1. Hot Topic on the CTN Website: CTN Publications Survey
CTN is running a very brief online survey to gauge your views on CTN publications. The survey will help inform our planning for ACCAN publications. The survey will take about 5 minutes, and you can remain anonymous or provide contact details in case we need clarification (or would like to hear more about your great ideas!).
The survey will be live until on 22 June 2009. If you would like to complete the survey over the phone, please call the CTN office on 02 9572 6007.
Go to: http://www.ctn.org.au/content.cfm
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2. National E-security Awareness Week
National E-security Awareness Week 2009 will be held from 5-12 June to help raise awareness about e-security for home and small business users.
Go to: http://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/awareness-week
See also: Australians are being encouraged to take some simple steps to improve their online security as part of National E-security Awareness Week. "Being more secure online can be as simple as getting a better, stronger password and updating it twice a year," the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy said.
Go to: http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/051
And also: Australian schools are being offered free e-security resources to help students to stay smart online.
Go to: http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/050
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3. The National Unfair Contract Terms Law
The Consumer Affairs Minister, Chris Bowen MP, today outlined the details of the unfair contract terms law. "Last year, COAG agreed that Australia should have a national unfair contract terms law and the Government is committed to ensuring that consumers and small businesses can access protection from unfair contract terms," Mr Bowen said. "This new unfair contract terms law will give all Australian consumers access to protection from unfair contract terms in standard-form contracts.
Go to: http://assistant.treasurer.gov.au/DisplayDocs.aspx?doc=pressreleases/2009/060.htm&pageID=003&min=ceb&Year=&DocType
See also: Changes to the Ministry
Go to: http://www.pm.gov.au/media/Release/2009/media_release_1056.cfm
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4. NSW Telecommunications Facilities Code, including Broadband
To help facilitate the roll-out of a National Broadband Network, the NSW Department of Planning is proposing to amend State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 to streamline the delivery of broadband internet to homes and businesses across the State. A draft Telecommunications Facilities and Broadband Code has been prepared, which lists the telecommunication facilities that are proposed to be exempt or complying development and therefore do not require a development application. It incorporates the facilities covered by the Commonwealth Government's Telecommunications (Low Impact Facilities) Determination 1997. The draft code provides best practice principles for the site selection, design, construction and operation of telecommunication facilities in order to minimise visual, safety and health impacts.
Go to: http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/drafts.asp
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5. ACMA issues remedial direction to Green Tree Frog for contravening the TIO Scheme
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has issued a remedial direction to Green Tree Frog Pty Ltd (Green Tree Frog) for contravening the service provider rule under the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) Scheme.
Go to: http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311740
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6. ACMA signs MOU with New Zealand to help fight spam
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has joined forces with the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs in the fight against spam by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish channels of communication that will allow both agencies to move quickly in response to the challenges and demands of the ever-changing spam environment.
Go to: http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311742
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7. ACMA obtains interlocutory orders in SMS spam case
The Federal Court of Australia has granted interlocutory orders in relation to ACMA's proceedings against Mobilegate Ltd, Winning Bid Pty Ltd, Jobspy Pty Ltd and individuals associated with those companies for allegedly breaching the Spam Act 2003 by sending unsolicited SMS.
Go to: http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311737
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8. ACCC proposes a five year extension for key telecommunications declarations
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today announced it intends to extend the declarations that enable Telstra's competitors to provide fixed voice and broadband services over Telstra's copper network for a further five years.
Go to: http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/875472
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9. ACCC issues MTAS declaration final report
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has released the final report on its public inquiry into the declaration of the domestic mobile terminating access service (MTAS).
Go to: http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/874710
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10. Bushfire help calls stranded in the system
Of more than 10,000 calls made to the bushfire information line on Black Saturday, 82 per cent went unanswered, the royal commission heard yesterday.
Go to: http://www.theage.com.au/national/bushfire-help-calls-stranded-in-the-system-20090602-bubw.html
See also: The head of Victoria Police's emergency response unit says it's not his department's responsibility to warn the public of impending bushfire danger, despite an official manual which explicitly states that it is.
Go to: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25580944-29277,00.html
See also: The federal government will spend more than $1 million to develop highly accurate location technology to broadcast warnings of imminent natural disasters to mobile phones in the area.
Go to: http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25606830-15306,00.html
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11. Government collects regulatory reform papers
Australia's telecommunications sector will soon face its biggest shake-up in more than a decade after submissions for the Government's regulatory reform paper closed yesterday.
Go to: http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25585278-15306,00.html
See also: Federal Auditor-General Ian McPhee will ditch a proposed preliminary inquiry in favour of a full performance audit into the first $4.7 billion National Broadband Network Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
Go to: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/ANAO-to-probe-NBN-4-7bn-RFP-/0,130061791,339296802,00.htm
And also: Shadow Communications Minister Nick Minchin this week said the opposition would not support calls from Telstra's rivals for the telco to be broken up into chunks.
Go to: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Libs-won-t-push-for-Telstra-break-up/0,130061791,339296786,00.htm
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12. Internet filter: $44.5m and no goal in sight
The Rudd Government's internet censorship policy will cost about $90,000 per blocked web address to implement and the Government has admitted it has not developed any criteria to determine whether trials of the scheme are a success.
Go to: http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/web/2009/06/03/1243708489312.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
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13. Worries mount on ABC web ambition
The ABC has defended its plan to set up more than 50 regional community broadband hubs, using $15.3 million in taxpayer funds, as commercial rival Prime describes the government funding as an unfair advantage.
Go to: http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25567472-15319,00.html
See also: Internet users will be able to access SBS's online audio and video programming without exhausting their download allowances by the end of the year.
Go to: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,25565328-7582,00.html
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14. Parents could 'spy' on kids' mobile phones
Parents may soon be able to read their children's text messages as part of a plan to give them more control over rapidly developing technologies.
Go to: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/02/2586587.htm
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15. CommBank cyber scam hits phone and SMS
The relentless barrage of scam attempts aimed at Commonwealth Bank customers has transcended email, with the sophisticated Eastern European cyber criminals now targeting people via telephone and SMS.
Go to: http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/biztech/2009/06/05/1243708605803.html
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16. Dealers still fuming at 'clumsy' Telstra system
Customer service may be the mantra of new Telstra chief David Thodey, but dealers at the coalface of the telco's retail chain are still saying the clumsy customer and billing platform at the heart of the company's multi-billion IT transformation is costing them business.
Go to: http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25571447-15306,00.html
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17. Mobile, VoIP and geographic phone numbers
Will we see mass adoption of VoIP calling on our mobile phones? Does VoIP over 3G provide the quality of voice call that we've grown to expect? Given the threat to their traditional voice revenues can we expect the mobile carriers to fight its adoption and control access on their networks?
Go to: http://www.zdnet.com.au/blogs/twisted-wire/soa/Mobile-VoIP-and-geographic-phone-numbers/0,2001103929,339296677,00.htm?ocid=nl_TCO_02062009_fea_l6
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18. Who really uses Twitter? And why?
New research into Twitter usage uncovers some surprising facts about who's on the much-hyped social network and how they're using it.
Go to: http://www.itwire.com/content/view/25465/53/
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19. CR Matters Newsletter
Telstra is producing a 'Corporate Responsibility Matters' newsletter each month focussing on Telstra's contribution to the Australian community. The latest edition is attached. If you would like to subscribe to the monthly newsletter, please send an email to csr@team.telstra.com with the word Subscribe in the heading.
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20. Sony Ericsson unveils green handsets that cut carbon footprint by 15%
Mobile phone company Sony Ericsson will unveil two green handsets tomorrow with a carbon footprint 15% lower than current models. By cutting packaging, using recycled plastics and reducing the use of solvents in the paints, the electronics company claims to have made the handsets more environmentally friendly.
Go to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jun/04/mobile-phones-sony-ericsson
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21. BT accused of download throttling
Britain's biggest broadband supplier has been accused of limiting download speeds on its cheapest package without giving users a clear warning.
Go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8077839.stm
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22. Conferences and Events
E-Security week Calendar of events -June 5 - 12, Australia wide A range of events and activities are being held around Australia in metropolitan, remote and regional areas to help Australians understand e-security risks. If you are interested in attending an event, please contact the organiser to secure a place.
Go to: http://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/awareness-week/event-calendar
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Contribute to the ISP eSecurity Code - June 10, Sydney
In association with the Australian Government's National E-security awareness Week, the Internet Industry Association is pleased to invite you to an industry workshop to help shape our thinking in this important area of internet security - and contribute to a safer internet in Australia.
Date: Wednesday 10th June 2009 Venue: The Hilton Hotel, 488 George Street , Sydney, NSW 2000 Time: 9:00am -12:00pm RSVP: emelia@iia.net.au or (02) 6232 6900
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Telecommunications Consumer Group SA Seminar - June 17, Adelaide
The Telecommunications Consumer Group SA Inc and CTN are pleased to present a free Seminar in Adelaide 'Mobile Mayhem'. Issues for discussion include: Mobile Premium Services Unexpected charges from downloads Where to next with Mobile Telephony Where: 'Pilgrim Centre' behind Pilgrim Church 12 Flinders Street, City When: Wednesday 17th June 2009 Time: 5:30 pm. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be provided. Invite your family, friends and work colleagues. An hour's time could save you heaps of time and money. Please register with Ian Butterworth on 8387 9554 or ian67@bigpond.net.au
Go to: www.tcg.asn.au
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2009 AFCCRA Conference
The 2009 AFCCRA Conference will be held in Melbourne at Rydges Hotel, 186 Exhibition Street. AFCCRA's annual conference is held in conjunction with the External Disputes Resolution Schemes' annual forum for consumer representatives. The External Disputes Resolution Forum will be held on Tuesday 28 July 2009, followed by the AFCCRA Conference on Wednesday 29 July and the AFCCRA Financial Literacy and Inclusion Forum on Thursday 30 July. Programs for the three days are being drafted and will be available soon.
Go to: http://www.afccra.org/conferences.htm
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ACCC Regulatory Conference - 30 - 31 July 2009
The tenth ACCC Regulatory Conference will be held on Thursday 30th and Friday 31st July 2009 at the Holiday Inn, Gold Coast, Queensland Australia. The theme for the conference is the Regulation of Infrastructure in a Time of Transition.
Go to: http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/861204
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Hearing Awareness Week 2009 Sunday 23 August - Saturday 29 August 2009
Theme: At home At work At play - One in Six. One in six Australians suffer from some form of hearing loss. Where: Events such as hearing screening and information days held around the country. Check website for calendar of events in your area. Free posters for the week will be available from the national secretariat in late May. To place your order for posters please contact Deafness Forum at info@deafnessforum.org.au Deafness Forum is the National coordinating body for Hearing Awareness Week
Go to: www.hearingawarenessweek.org.au _________
Communications Policy & Research Forum 2009 - 19 - 20 November 2009
Interest areas include ICT, digital media, telecommunications broadcasting, communications culture, Internet and e-commerce. It is a research-oriented forum open to all viewpoints; a co-operative effort by policy and research centres. It is also a national meeting-place for researchers in all sectors. The deadline for submitting proposals and abstracts is Friday 26 June 2009.
Go to: http://www.networkinsight.org/events/cprf09.html/group/6 _________ CTN Consumer Advocacy Calendar
The events above are just some of the events included in the CTN Consumer Advocacy Calendar. The CTN Consumer Advocacy Calendar is designed to help interested parties keep track of events hosted by consumer groups, community organisations, government departments, telecommunications companies and CTN Members.
To view the CTN Consumer Advocacy Calendar go to: http://www.ctn.org.au/content.cfm?ContentType=Content&ContentID=397
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We hope that this edition of WebNews has been of interest. Although we take care to direct subscribers to sites with accurate and reliable content, we advise that CTN is not responsible for the content within external sites and has no control over the views, services or information contained in these sites.
Information contained on external sites may not necessarily reflect the policy, standards or beliefs of CTN.
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Warm regards and best of luck with the week ahead. The Consumers' Telecommunications Network Unit 2, 524-532 Parramatta Road Petersham NSW 2049 Tel: (02) 9572 6007 Fax: (02) 9572-6014 TTY: (02) 9572-6047 www.ctn.org.au
The Consumers' Telecommunications Network representation of residential and other consumers' interests in relation to telecommunications issues is supported by the Commonwealth through the Grants to fund Telecommunications Consumer Representations' program of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
