The Australian Communications and Media Authority has issued a formal warning to Bytecard Pty Ltd (Bytecard).

ACMA has formed the view that Bytecard has contravened the service provider rule which requires compliance with the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) Scheme.

The TIO referred this matter to ACMA because Bytecard had failed to cooperate with the TIO in relation to two continuing matters. Both the TIO and ACMA have made attempts to encourage Bytecard to voluntarily comply with the TIO Scheme, without success.

‘It is the obligation of all members of the TIO Scheme to comply with the obligations established under the scheme as well as the legislation that governs the industry,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

‘ACMA will pursue the appropriate enforcement options open to it in order to prevent Bytecard from continuing to contravene its regulatory obligations.’

All carriers and eligible carriage service providers, including internet service providers, which are TIO members, are required to comply with the Ombudsman’s Scheme.

The TIO Scheme was established as part of the co-regulatory regime in the telecommunications industry, specifically to deal with complaints by residential and small business customers of carriage services.