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09/03/2007 - Australian Consumer body slams proposed directory assistance changes
The Consumers' Telecommunications Network (CTN) has come out strongly against a decision by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to allow extra, charged, services to be provided on the directory assistance number 1223.
CTN CEO, Teresa Corbin, said: "There's a real risk that allowing extra directory services onto 1223 will confuse callers and result in consumers paying for services they are actually entitled to access for free... We're very concerned that callers may not be able to differentiate between the free directory service and other services they must pay to use. Not only will consumers seeking free directory services need to know the only free number, which is 1223, but they will also need to choose the correct option when they call to get the service for free."
The ACMA has amended the Telecommunications Numbering Plan to allow additional services on the directory assistance number 12 23, including national and international operator-connected calls and other operator services.
ACMA chairman, Chris Chapman, justified the move by saying: "These changes give phone companies the opportunity to develop innovative value-added services for their customers, while continuing to provide safeguards around the traditional free directory assistance service for fixed phone customers."
Currently the 1223 number is specified for use as a shared number for directory assistance services - which means that different operators can route calls to this number from their customers to their own directory service. Telstra uses the number to enable its customer base to receive directory assistance services, which are subject to price control arrangements set by government.
Telstra be required to provide, for ACMA approval, an Implementation Operation Plan to ensure that free directory assistance will remain accessible to its customers when additional, optional services are offered on 1223. Other providers will be required to notify their customers of additional charges before optional services are offered.
http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/10280/127/
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