CTN WebNews Edition #251
CTN WebNews Edition #251
Wednesday June 17, 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. ACCC takes action to stop misleading SMS advertisements 3. Telco competition: Signs of life but yet to thrive 4. E-security high-priority for future digital economy 5. Regulatory reform submissions published 6. Update on industry comment on proposed new industry fees and payment methods for accessing the Do Not Call Register in 2009-10 7. CAV Research Paper: Warranties and Refunds 8. Tasmanian budget: The IT details 9. Australia 'risks digital divide' 10. Hutchison and Vodafone complete mobile merger 11. Kids targeted in net ad push 12. 3G mobile technology link to economic growth: study 13. iPhone 3G S pricing in Australia - surprise coming? 14. HP test mobile social network 15. The great firewall of China is rolled out 16. At a glance: Digital Britain 17. Mobile phone directory to launch 18. Online push in California schools 19. Conferences and Events
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1. Hot Topic on the CTN Website: CTN publications survey
CTN will soon be transitioning to the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN).
We are seeking your views on various CTN publications, including WebNews, which will cease next week. We look forward to getting your feedback before June 22.
Go to: www.ctn.org.au
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2. ACCC takes action to stop misleading SMS advertisements
"The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Australian consumers have had enough of advertisements for premium mobile services that are, in the ACCC's view, misleading," Acting ACCC Chairman, Mr Peter Kell, said today.
Go to: http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/876669
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3. Telco competition: Signs of life but yet to thrive
While consumers have been rewarded with greater competition and investment in telecommunications, the current structure of the industry is likely to limit future pay-offs, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has concluded in its annual reports on competition and pricing in the industry.
Go to: http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/877129
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4. E-security high-priority for future digital economy
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy today joined industry experts to help shape Australia's future approach to e-security threats.
Go to: http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/055
See also: Representatives from Australian Internet Service Providers (ISPs) met today in Sydney to begin developing an e-security Code of Practice. "Our growing reliance on broadband infrastructure and online services means we have a shared responsibility to ensure their security," the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, said today.
Go to: http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/053
And also: Executives from Australia's critical infrastructure businesses attended an E-security Executive Breakfast Briefing this morning in Sydney to discuss e-security issues and their impact on critical infrastructure.
Go to: http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/052
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5. Regulatory reform submissions published
Submissions to the National Broadband Network: Regulatory Reform for 21st Century Broadband discussion paper have been published.
Go to: http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/054
See also: With the benefit of 40 years in telecoms engineering, management and consulting Ross Kelso brings an informed and independent perspective to the debate around Australia's National Broadband Networks and his submission to the Government's review of the regulatory environment has some interesting ideas.
Go to: http://www.itwire.com/content/view/25514/127/
And also: Telstra has called for an "independent" part-Telstra-funded telecommunications adjudicator with the power to make binding price and access decisions.
Go to: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Telstra-calls-for-Telstra-funded-telco-judge/0,130061791,339296908,00.htm
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6. Update on industry comment on proposed new industry fees and payment methods for accessing the Do Not Call Register in 2009-10
On 24 March 2009, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) released a discussion paper inviting comment on the proposed new fees that telemarketers will be charged to access the Do Not Call Register (the Register) from 1 July 2009 and the manner in which these fees can be paid.
Go to: http://acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311668
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7. CAV Research Paper: Warranties and Refunds
Consumer Affairs Victoria has very recently published publicly on its website a research paper prepared last year: Warranties and Refunds in the electronic goods, white goods and mobile telephone industries.
Go to: http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/CA256EB5000644CE/page/Listing-Resource-Research+Reports+&+Discussion+Papers?OpenDocument&1=Home~&2=~&3=~&REFUNID=~
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8. Tasmanian budget: The IT details
The Tasmanian State Government has outlined a variety of technology-related initiatives in its budget today, including funding for e-health, policing and digital marketing projects.
Go to: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/business/soa/Tasmanian-budget-The-IT-details/0,139023166,339296889,00.htm?ocid=nl_TNB_12062009_fea_l3
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9. Australia 'risks digital divide'
Australia should focus its broadband investment outside the main cities to avoid creating a city-country divide in information technology, a regional boss of global computer firm IBM says.
Go to: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25616047-29277,00.html
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10. Hutchison and Vodafone complete mobile merger
Hutchison and Vodafone merged their subsidiaries, Hutchison 3G Australia and Vodafone Australia, to create a joint venture called Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA), in which they have equal shares.
Go to: http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25614470-5013040,00.html
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11. Kids targeted in net ad push
Marketers are joining children in turning off the television and shifting their advertising attention to the unregulated world of the internet.
Go to: http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25602991-15318,00.html
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12. 3G mobile technology link to economic growth: study
Research is starting to find links between the adoption of 3G mobile technologies and economic growth, and a new multi-million dollar study intends to delve deeper into the connection. According to Curtin Business School in Western Australia, theres indications of a direct link between the timely adoption of 3G mobile technologies and economic growth, and the schools Professor Gary Madden says that Thailand has lagged in the adoption of 3G technology, Sweden has adopted some 3G, while Japan's take up of 3G has been comprehensive.
Go to: http://www.itwire.com/content/view/25586/53/
See also: Telstra's Justin Milne reckons video ringtones could soon be as popular as regular ringtones. Really?
Go to: http://www.itwire.com/content/view/25605/1151/
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13. iPhone 3G S pricing in Australia - surprise coming?
Although the iPhone 3G S launched with US dollar pricing known before the keynote was over, Australian telcos are making us wait on finding out exactly what an iPhone 3G S will cost to buy outright, upgrade to or have to pay per month on a 24 month contract - should we expect any surprises?
Go to: http://www.itwire.com/content/view/25584/1103/
See also: Australia's big three mobile carriers - Telstra, Optus and the newly merged Vodafone-Hutchison - have some big questions to answer when they launch Apple's new iPhone locally on Friday week.
Go to: http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25640828-39525,00.html
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14. HP test mobile social network
An intelligent, mobile-phone-based social network is being tested by researchers at Hewlett Packard. Friendlee analyses calls and messages to build up a picture of a person's closest correspondents.
Go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8090427.stm
And also: Standby mode is often accused of being the scourge of the planet, insidiously draining resources while offering little benefit other than a small red light and extra convenience for couch potatoes. But now Nokia reckons a mobile phone that is always left in standby mode could be just what the environment needs.
Go to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jun/10/nokia-mobile-phone
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15. The great firewall of China is rolled out
Millions of school children may be first in line to try China's newest innovation in censorship technology: compulsory filtering software installed on every computer.
Go to: http://www.theage.com.au/news/home/technology/the-great-firewall-of-china-is-rolled-out/2009/06/10/1244313166138.html
See also: On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen killings, social networking sites such as Twitter and the photo-sharing site Flickr were blocked in China in an attempt by the government to prevent online discussion on the subject. But Chinese twitterers proved that there are ways to get round the great firewall of China.
Go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8091411.stm
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16. At a glance: Digital Britain
On 17 October 2008, Lord Carter, minister for communications, technology and broadcasting, began work on a report dubbed Digital Britain. With it the government wanted to draw up an action plan to help Britain make the most of new media. The final version was released on 16 June and the wide-ranging report tackles everything from broadband speeds to internet regulation and public service broadcasting.
Go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8103351.stm
See also: Some 43% of adults who currently do not have internet access would remain disconnected even if they were given a free PC and broadband connection. The statistic, part of research conducted by regulator Ofcom will make depressing reading for some.
Go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8091398.stm
_________ 17. Mobile phone directory to launch
A company will begin offering a directory service from next week that allows people to find the mobile phone numbers of people they don't know. Run by 118800, it will cost 1 British pound and use databases of numbers it said are freely available for purchase and in the public domain.
Go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/working_lunch/8091621.stm
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18. Online push in California schools
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has unveiled a plan to save money by phasing out school textbooks in favour of internet aids.
Go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8090450.stm
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19. Conferences and Events
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
________ 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.
