Escalating complaints from telecommunications customers has prompted industry bodies to raise public awareness of service providers' compliance obligations.
The initiative is aimed at protecting telephone, mobile and Internet subscribers from unscrupulous business practices.
The Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF), Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) and Australian Communications Authority (ACA) have collaboratively designed an information brochure that outlines consumers' rights when dealing with telcos and Internet Services Providers (ISPs).
The publication sets out minimum standards for matters such as billing, information on prices, privacy, credit management, complaint handling and customer transfer.
"The ACIF Consumer Codes Brochure has been developed by the telecommunications industry to assist consumers understand the obligations telephone companies and Internet Service Providers have to their customers and to the public at large" ACIF CEO Johanna Plante said in a statement.
"This brochure is a positive, empowering tool providing information to consumers on the suite of Consumer Codes developed by industry over the past three years."
All Codes described in the brochure have the backing of the TIO and are registered with the ACA, thereby making industry compliance enforceable.
The TIO claims it deals with about 3000 complaints against telecommunications companies each week.
"I hope that over the next 12 months we will see positive results from this industry initiative," according to TIO Ombudsman John Pinnock.
More information is available at www.acif.org.au.
