AMTA has welcomed the opportunity to work co-operatively and constructively with the new peak consumer body for telecommunications issues, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN).

AMTA this week responded to ACCAN’s consultation paper, Campaigning for Consumers in Communications, which called for views on telecommunications-related consumer policy and regulation.

AMTA policy manager Peppi Wilson said the industry was keen to work with ACCAN in addressing identified gaps in consumer information and suggested that such an approach be guided by recent recommendations of the Productivity Commission, which stated:

“The Australian Communications and Media Authority and the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy should conduct a comprehensive joint review of all the customer information requirements imposed on telecommunications businesses, and the processes used in developing new requirements. Specifically they should:

- review all of the current customer information requirements in consultation with industry and consumer organisations, with the aim of streamlining the requirements to remove duplication, reduce the burden on business, and improve the comprehensibility and clarity of information provided to customers.”

Ms Wilson said AMTA recognised that an efficient and competitive mobile telecommunications industry would ultimately be beneficial to both consumes and the industry itself and acknowledged concerns about the current regime.

“For example, AMTA has raised concerns there is some overlap and inconsistency between jurisdictional and agency responsibilities. There are numerous bodies developing policy without adequate reference to, or knowledge of, initiatives or regulatory responses developed by other bodies or agencies,” she said.

“Such duplication and complexity can result in sub-optimal policy processes and outcomes. Even when a good outcome is eventually achieved, poor process increases the cost of development and compliance. These costs are inevitably passed on to consumers.”