Fair Calls For All
1800, 1300 and 13 calls should be priced at the same rate from mobile phones and landlines. Find out more at http://www.accan.org.au/numberwoman and @Number_Woman
“ One recent call I made to my medical benefits provider cost me $26 as they kept me waiting so long and it took a long time to process the changes I wanted to make to my cover. This was after they assured me that there was no cost for the call on a mobile phone!
- Pat. ”
Fisherpeople need Fair Calls
Over the last two weeks 600 people have written to the communications regulator, the ACMA, saying that they want fair rates for mobile calls to 1800, 1300 and 13 numbers.
People have been telling the ACMA that fair call rates will make a difference to their lives for a variety of reasons. One person has to call road side assistance frequently from a mobile, another works as a sole trader and could see how these changes will make a difference on a tight budget.
Anne from Queensland wrote this in her submission:
Our professional fishing business is obliged to make calls to government agencies to conduct my seafood business from remote areas or from out at sea using a mobile phone. The cost of these calls would be easier to absorb if your proposed changes were implemented.
There are many reasons why Australians need a fair call. Tell the ACMA why this matters to you at http://faircalls.good.do/action
“ I live out of town and I only have a mobile phone and no landline. I can’t get a landline due to the cost involved in installation because of my long driveway and the distance I am from the nearest phone connection point. I rely on my mobile for all phone calls I have to make. The only other option is to drive to town to make phone calls from a public phone in town. ”
Tell the ACMA why you want Fair Calls For All at http://faircalls.good.do/action
“ I often have to ring Centrelink who have a 1300 number from my mobile phone. Recently, because I was put on hold a number of times, a single call cost me $15. ”
Do you think 1800, 1300 and 13 numbers should be charged at free or low cost rates from your mobile? Add your voice here http://faircalls.good.do/action
“ I live in a rural area and find I have to travel home to make most of my business calls as there is quite often lengthy delays just getting to the talking to a real person stage. Half the time we are then placed on hold etc. and as a pensioner I can not afford this. ”
Do you think a 1800 ‘freecall’ should be free from your mobile? Add your voice here http://faircalls.good.do/action
“ Our children live in a world where mobile phones are a norm. They struggle to make ends meet whilst at university, sometimes living many of 100s miles from home and their mobile phone is their only way to communicate with agencies such as centrelink and banks. Quite often they are put on hold and they end up hanging up as they can’t afford the phone call and this results in them not accessing financial assistance that they might be entitled to. ”
Do you think a 1800 ‘freecall’ should be free from your mobile? Add your voice here http://faircalls.good.do/action
“ Having moved house many times in the past ten years I have stopped paying the exorbitant connection and contract fees and stuck with using a mobile phone but find myself avoiding making calls that really shouldn’t be put off but when they will cost me several dollars each time I just can’t afford it. Since these calls are normally to government offices it seems unreasonable that I have to pay so much to get information that should be free. ”
Anonymous consumer submission to the ACMA about the cost of calling 1800, 1300 and 13 numbers from a mobile phone.
Do you think a 1800 ‘freecall’ should be free from your mobile? Add your voice here http://faircalls.good.do/action
Two numbers you don't want to call on a mobile phone
@pctechauthority covers the Fair Calls For All campaign
Take action at: http://faircalls.good.do/action
Take action: tell the ACMA you want a fair call from your mobile phone
After a year of community calls for action, the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA) is now proposing to regulate so that 1800 numbers will be free and 13/1300 numbers will cost about 30 cents to call from a mobile phone.
We know that parts of the telco industry are strongly resisting these reforms.
It is important to explain why these changes will benefit Australian consumers, charities and businesses.
Use this website to make a submission to the ACMA encouraging them to stick to their guns.
