27 November 2012
Two telco providers join the TIO scheme after ACMA direction
Nodus Internet Pty Ltd and Timothy Russell Atcheson (trading as Funnel Web Internet Service Provider) have both joined the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) scheme in line with ACMA directions requiring them to do so.
The ACMA gave the directions in September this year following separate investigations that found both internet service providers were providing services to residential and/or small business customers and neither was a member of the TIO scheme.
‘The ACMA is pleased that both providers joined the TIO scheme shortly after being directed,’ said ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman.
‘The TIO is an important safeguard for consumers and there is no excuse for providers not joining the scheme. The ACMA will take swift and decisive action against providers who are required to join the TIO scheme but fail to do so,’ Mr Chapman added.
Telecommunications providers that supply voice, internet or mobile services to small business or residential customers are in most cases required by law to be members of the TIO scheme. The TIO is a fast, free and fair dispute resolution service for those customers who have a complaint about their telephone or internet service.
If an eligible provider fails to join the TIO scheme, the ACMA can take Federal Court action to seek pecuniary penalties.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Emma Rossi, Media Manager, (02) 9334 7719 and 0434 652 063 or media@acma.gov.au.
