Watch out carriers or we'll fight you on TV: ACCAN head

Stan Beer
Wednesday, 26 August 2009 13:46

IT Policy - Government Tech Policy

In a colourful speech today, Allan Asher, the new CEO of the Australian Communications Consumers Action Network (ACCAN) has given telco service providers a tongue lashing. He warned that they risk having their reputations publicly questioned in the media by the new telecoms consumer peak body if they don't pick up their game.

In a stark demonstration that ACCAN means business, the former deputy chairman of the ACCC and current board member of the UK Office of Fair Trading opened his speech by publicly outing his first victim to representatives of the telecoms industry at the inaugural Customer Service Summit held by the Communications Alliance in Melbourne.

"Last weekend I took my 84 year old mother in law to buy a new mobile phone," said Mr Asher.

"Of course she became used to the phone number that she had, so I said 'that won't be a problem we'll easily be able to get the old number ported to this one.'

"Indeed before we even bought it, I phoned the company Virgin to arrange for that to be done and was told that it would all be done in two hours.

"I've just confirmed now that four days later it is still not ported.

"Just in that one incident it captures pretty well everything that I want to say.

"This industry which is so essential to the welfare and well being of all residents of Australia has made incredible promises. Promises of connection; promises of business efficiency; promises of social engagement. Yet its performance just so consistently and persistently disappoints.

"From the point of view of ACCAN, we're not going to any longer be satisfied with simply making a point where the problems are but simply instead we're going to follow those up with positive actions that we hope will lead to reform."

Mr Asher sounded an ominous warning for the telecoms service providers in the audience, also singling out Telstra, saying that ACCAN plans to be a "strong voice of communications consumers."

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