The total number of mobile services in operation (voice and data services) in Australia increased by seven per cent during 2009–10 to reach 25.99 million services at June 2010, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s Communications Report 2009-10, tabled by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy in Parliament today.

The net growth in mobile services was fuelled by a very significant surge in the numbers of mobile wireless broadband services (datacard/dongle connected to a computer) which increased by 71 per cent over the period to reach 3.46 million at June 2010.

As DSL services only increased marginally (two per cent), this suggests that mobile broadband is very much developing as a complement to existing fixed broadband services.

‘New content and services are driving demand for broadband. Fixed line remains the dominant technology for broadband delivery. However, this is being complemented by the take-up of mobile broadband. Australians’ appetite for more broadband is clear, whether they are at home or on the move,’ said ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman.

During 2009–10, the number of fixed-line telephone services in operation, declined from 10.67 million to 10.59 million. At the same time, more consumers continued to access VoIP services from home, from 2.5 million at June 2009 to 2.9 million at June 2010.

‘Increasing investment in mobile and fixed communications infrastructure and innovation in handset and other wireless consumer technology is testimony to the evolution of digital communications in Australia. New technologies are increasingly able to support voice, data and content services, complementing existing fixed-networks. This will continue to enable Australians to more fully participate in the digital economy and benefit from new service innovation,’ Mr Chapman said.

During 2009–10 there has also been significant developments relating to the digital economy in the Australian broadcasting sector in terms of the contining transition to digital broadcasting and the growth of digital television and digital radio services. At June 2010, 74 per cent of Australian households had converted their main set to digital television (up from 53 per cent at 30 June 2009).

Source: Australian Communications and Media Authority

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has recently finalised radiocommunications licensing arrangements to facilitate mobile communication services on aircraft.

‘The arrangements reflect the ACMA’s commitment to facilitating new and innovative services that provide a benefit to the public and increase consumer choice,’ said ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman.

‘In developing these arrangements, the ACMA was conscious of the need for harmonisation with aviation safety regulations and the protection of terrestrial communications networks from interference. ‘

The ACMA has consulted closely with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which has raised no technical objections to the new arrangements.

In areas which are not spectrum licensed, the new regulatory arrangements will authorise and license mobile communication services on aircraft by apparatus and class licences. In spectrum licensed areas and as a consequence of the current legislative construct, mobile communication services on aircraft may be authorised by agreement with the spectrum licence holder.

‘The licensing arrangements will allow airlines to deploy mobile communication services on their aircraft through special on-board systems, should they choose to do so,’ said Mr Chapman.

The use of on-board systems must at all times be in accordance with airline safety and operational procedures. Calls connecting directly to terrestrial networks are not authorised under the licensing arrangements.

Should alternative, safe methods of mobile communication on aircraft be proposed for commercial operation in the future (including those that access Australia’s terrestrial networks), the ACMA would move to consider those methods.

V Australia has announced plans to offer on-board SMS and data services subject to the ACMA making appropriate regulatory arrangements (which the licensing arrangements now facilitate).

In establishing permanent licensing arrangements, the ACMA does not propose to restrict the types of mobile communication services on aircraft that can be offered in order to exclude any particular service, including voice calls.

The ACMA regards the deployment of any particular kind of service as entirely a commercial decision to be made by service providers and airlines.

Following feedback from industry, the ACMA has adopted a revised fee regime and the licence issue charge will now be consistent with the ACMA’s charging for other apparatus licences.

Source: ACMA

As a vital part of its Reconnecting the Customer inquiry, the Australian Communications and Media Authority is seeking the broadest possible input on the problems telecommunications customers are experiencing with customer service and complaints-handling.

In announcing the formal terms of reference for the inquiry today, ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman said, ‘We want to understand what the problems are – the way the telecommunications industry is dealing with its customers and the root causes of those problems. And critically, we want to identify enduring solutions that will improve customer service and complaints-handling, both now and into the foreseeable future.’

A consultation paper also released today with the terms of reference seeks input about these issues from everyday members of the Australian public, consumer groups, telecommunications companies and other regulatory agencies.

‘The inquiry is being undertaken with the intention to significantly improve outcomes for Australian telecommunications consumers,’ Mr Chapman said.

‘As an evidence-informed regulator, we intend to gather evidence that will shine a light on the real problems causing the high numbers of complaints being made to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, problems which are broadly corroborated by strong anecdotal feedback.

‘We will be looking also for solutions that will facilitate best practice customer service in an increasingly complex communications environment. We want consumers to regain confidence that they will receive the services they need in a way that meets their expectations.

‘It will also be vital that we work with industry players and other key stakeholders, including other regulators, to make this work—and we will do that through regular meetings and dialogue. We want to hear from consumers, who are the current and future users of telecommunications services—and we intend to do that through workshops and other forums.

‘Right now, I would encourage everyone with an interest in telecommunications services to engage with this paper, which has been constructed both to allow more general responses and, for those with relevant expertise or experiences at the coalface, more detailed, targeted responses.

‘The next nine months offer us collectively a vital opportunity to make a material difference to the way telecommunications services are delivered, so they become accepted as really meeting the needs of Australians. I look forward to working together so we can make this happen.’

The public inquiry was announced by Mr Chapman at the CommsDay Summit on 20 April 2010, which inquiry has received wide-ranging support from both industry and consumers.

Since that announcement, the ACMA has canvassed widely with key stakeholders (including the Chief Executives of Australia’s leading services providers and consumer and industry representatives) to craft terms of reference that will usefully allow the ACMA to get to the bottom of these issues and to develop an effective and meaningful analytical framework for future industry direction and policy-making.

The terms of reference, consultation paper and other information about the inquiry are available on the ACMA website, .

Source: ACMA