CPRC submission to the Australian Communication and Media authority consultation on the Statement of expectations

CPRC welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to the Australian Communication and Media Authority’s (ACMA) consultation on the draft Consumer Vulnerability: Expectations for the Telecommunications Industry. Telecommunications devices and services are essential services. Now is the time for the ACMA and industry to whole-heartedly embrace this fact and the elevated responsibility that comes with telecommunications services underpinning our communities and economy. These services connect people to their families, friends, employment and are a gateway for engaging with banking, shopping, and entertainment. This reliance across the community on these services is only more pronounced for people experiencing disadvantage or vulnerability, making affordability and accessibility paramount. CPRC makes a number of recommendations to ensure a market stewardship approach is taken to create a fair telecommunications sector for consumers experiencing vulnerability.