CTN Tip Sheet - Avoiding Excess Mobile Data Usage Changes

Using your mobile for accessing the internet and email has become more common. Exceeding your data allowance per month may lead to an unexpected high bill. Learn how to effectively use and monitor your download usage to protect yourself against high bills. Click on the link below to see our tips.

Go to: CTN Tip Sheet - Avoiding Excess Mobile Data Useage Charges (.pdf)

Go to: CTN Tip Sheet - Avoiding Excess Mobile Data Useage Charges (.doc)

Government Introduces Clarity in Pricing Bill

Today the Rudd Government introduced into Parliament the Trade Practices Amendment (Clarity in Pricing) Bill 2008 to tackle the problem of hidden fees and charges for consumer products.

Go to: Media Release

WebWatch launched amid moves to improve website accessibility

The Australian Human Rights Commission has, this week, added a publicly available WebWatch list on its website where government websites that post material that is inaccessible to people with disabilities will be named as they come to the Commission's attention.

Go to: Media Release

Schools program to promote cyber-smart behaviour

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator the Hon. Stephen Conroy, has welcomed the launch of an innovative online safety program to teach children how to be responsible cyber-citizens.

Go to: Minister's Media Release

Industry, business & Government drive digital economy future 

On the 12th September, Senator Conroy chaired the Digital Economy Forum in Melbourne, where he announced a Future Directions Paper to be produced in collaboration with industry, business and other stakeholders. The paper will be published early next year. The forum was preceded by three workshops, focused on capabilities, confidence and content, to consider likely developments and establish aspirations for Australia's digital economy over the next five years.

Go to: Media Release

ACCC and ACMA release Mobile Premium Services Guide

On the 22nd August, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Australian Communications and Media Authority published a guide titled "Your consumer rights: Mobile phone premium services". The two page guide explains in a simple and easy to understand language how to avoid the pitfalls of Mobile Premium Services.

Go to: Your consumer rights: Mobile phone premium services

Privacy Awareness Week 

Privacy Awareness Week is an annual promotion by the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) group. The week is an opportunity for governments, business and individuals to promote privacy awareness.

Go to: Privacy Awareness Week

Sarah Rides to Kenya

On Sunday 21 September, our policy advisor Sarah Wilson, will leave Cambridge for Kenya. She will be riding approximately 10,000km through Central Europe, the Balkans, Turkey and the Middle East before heading south down the Nile and eventually to Kenya. If you have anything you need to discuss with her before she goes, please give her a call or email her during the week (swilson@ctn.org.au).

Good luck Sarah and best wishes from the staff and Board of CTN! You can track her progress online at: Down Right Kenya

Your say: Premium Mobile Charges 

CHOICE is inviting consumers to share their experiences with Mobile Premium Services. Mobile premium services come in many different forms, such as ringtones and astrology services. They generally come from third party companies (rather than your mobile provider) and can be accessed through a phone number that begins with 19.

Go to: Mobile Premium Services Blog

New Telecommunications Voice For Australian Consumers

ACCAN, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, took its first steps today with the announcement of its new Constitution and Inaugural Board. ACCAN is a single peak body representing the diversity of views among telecommunications consumers.  

Go to: ACCAN Media Release

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today welcomed the selection of the founding board of a new peak telecommunications consumer body, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN).

Go to: Minister's Media Release

ACCC issues warnings for smartphone mobile data usage

The emergence of new smartphone technology, such as the recent release of the Apple iPhone 3G, has led the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to issue a note of warning to consumers. "As often happens with new technology, consumer protection issues follow," ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today. "The ACCC is particularly concerned that consumers may be misled if they are not made sufficiently aware that their data allocations can be exceeded - at significant cost.

Go to: ACCC Press Release