Archive | July, 2009

Optus toughens up mobile contract

By on 29 July 2009 in New laws, Trade Practices Act

optus-5a

Last December Optus incurred customer wrath, effectively torpedoing mobile access to cheap international VoIP services by charging them at international rates. 

At the time, Optus insisted that:

International calls within the meaning of your Optus Mobile Standard Form of Agreement for all Timeless and Cap plans includes calls that re-route or divert to international numbers.

CSP Central asked Optus to tell us where the SFoA said that.  We couldn’t be sure – because the document is a confused mish-mash – but as far as we could tell it said no such thing.

Apparently Optus didn’t feel too sure of its grounds, either.  So it has bolted on a powerful, unbalanced  new contract term that is sure to attract the interest of consumer regulators who have unfair contract terms legislation in their armory.  Today, that’s only Victoria.  On 1 January 2010, it will be every Australian State and Territory, and the ACCC.

Continue Reading →

Share
Comments { 3 }

ACCC hauls Optus into Federal Court

By on 29 July 2009 in advertising, Trade Practices Act

phone-cardIn the latest action in its war on trade practices non-compliance in the telco sector, ACCC has taken Federal Court action against a wholly owned subsidiary of Optus Mobile Pty Ltd.

Prepaid Services Pty Ltd supplies phone cards that are resold by an independent company Boost Tel Pty Ltd. 

ACCC alleges that Prepaid and Boost were involved in false advertising.

  Continue Reading →

Share
Comments { 1 }

Component pricing seminar notes available

By on 21 July 2009 in advertising, New laws, Trade Practices Act

funnytel-2-smallSeminar notes from today’s popular ‘Component Pricing Law’ seminar at Logie-Smith Lanyon Lawyers are now available for download.

Delivered in our trademark style … plain english guaranteed … the seminar offered practical and expert insights into living harmoniously with the new trade practices law.

We’ll offer a repeat session soon … keep watching.

Share
Comments { 2 }

FunnyTel introduces unit pricing in new mega-value FAT plans

By on 18 July 2009 in advertising, Funnytel, iiNet Case, Trade Practices Act

1180827_double_cheeseburgerComms industry leader FunnyTel today announced its ground-breaking FAT plans. 

No stranger to innovation – FunnyTel was Australia’s first ISP to introduce the random number billing that has since proved so popular with Telstra management – the FAT plans include Australia’s first internet unit pricing scheme.

‘We read about the Government’s idea for unit pricing with groceries,’ says FunnyTel spokesman Chad Blake.  ‘And we thought “This makes sense.”  Why should customers pay for an 80 gigs download allowance and not know exactly how many P2P movies they’ll get for their dough ?’

‘We’re actually thinking of applying to the ACCC for an award for this,’ said Blake.  ‘Our 2 New Hollywood Releases a Night’ plan is a revolution in truth-in-advertising.  ‘And that’s A-FACT !’ says Blake with a cheeky wink.

We asked Chad if he thought that other market leaders like iiNet would adopt the system. 
Continue Reading →

Share
Comments { 0 }