Issue No 16: 20 June 2022
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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/ |
TCP Code Updates – New Variation Registered
A new version of the Communications Alliance Telecommunications Consumer Protection (TCP) Code was registered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) on 17 June 2022. Replacing the previous version of the Code, C628:2019 Incorporating Variation no. 1/2022 includes minor variations to reflect updated ACCC guidance material referenced in Chapter 3, Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Consumers, and updated ASIC-ACCC guidance referenced in Chapter 6, Debt Collection.Background
The (TCP) Code is an enforceable industry Code of Conduct, designed to ensure good service and fair outcomes for all consumers of telecommunications services in Australia. Developed under the auspices of Communications Alliance, after extensive consultation and input from government regulators and consumer groups, the Code sets out clear rules for telecommunications providers servicing residential and small business customers, providing community safeguards in the areas of sales, service and contracts, billing, credit and debt management, and changing providers. All Carriage Service Providers who supply telecommunications products to Consumers (defined in the Code) must comply.
The Code is registered and enforced by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). In addition, it is actively monitored by the independent body Communications Compliance, which manages a rigorous, compulsory annual compliance process.
Further information on the TCP Code and related consumer protection laws, regulations, codes, guidelines and facts sheets, is available on the Communications Alliance website.
Reviewing Spectrum for Wireless Broadband and Mobile-Satellite Services
The Communications Alliance Satellite Services Working Group (SSWG) provided a submission in response to the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s review of the 1.5 GHz band, noting that there has been growing interest in in this band to provide support for new wireless broadband (WBB) and mobile-satellite services (MSS).The SSWG observed that this review is at a very early stage in the possible future re-planning of the band and that a decision is still to be made by the ACMA on whether to proceed to the preliminary replanning stage. For the past seven years international sharing and compatibility studies on how to optimally share radiofrequency spectrum around 1518 MHz, between existing MSS and future terrestrial (IMT) services, have been proceeding in the ITU-R. It is expected that, once the sharing Recommendation is published, there may need be consequential changes to the 1.5 GHz frequency arrangements for terrestrial IMT.
Our submission proposes that the ACMA may want to consider delaying the start of the domestic replanning of the matter below 1518 MHz until these matters are settled.
Current Consultations
Below is a list of currently open telecommunications-relatedconsultations being conducted by Government and other organisations thatprovide an opportunity for you to have your say.
Communications Alliance members interested in contributing to anindustry submission (if one is being developed in response to a specificconsultation) should contactus.
| Consultation | Organisation | ClosingDate |
| Incorporating QR codes into the telecommunications labelling arrangements and repealing technical standards | ACMA | 19/08/2022 |
Feedback | Contact Tel: (61) 2 9959 9111 |