This report is closely linked to the Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code C628:2012. Therefore, to minimise confusion, many of the key terms used in this report use the same definitions as in the ACMA Communications Report 2013-20148 and TCP Code 2012.9
2G - Second Generation mobile telecommunications
“Mobile telecommunications services that use digital techniques, providing voice communications and a relatively low transmission rate for data.”8 Typically means a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network in an Australian context.
3G - Third Generation mobile telecommunications
“Broadband mobile telecommunications services supporting both voice channels, and IP-based video and data services.” 8 Typically means an UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) network with some variant of HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) in an Australian context.
4G - Fourth Generation mobile telecommunications
“Enhanced broadband mobile telecommunications services supporting voice10, video and data services over an all IP network.”8 Typically means an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network in an Australian context.
ACCAN - Australian Communications Consumer Action Network
“Australia’s peak body for consumer representation in communications.” 11 They represent residential consumers and small businesses including not-for profit organisations in so far as they are consumers.
ACCC - Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
“Commonwealth regulatory body with responsibilities derived from the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (formerly the Trade Practices Act 1974).”8
ACMA - Australian Communications and Media Authority
“Commonwealth regulatory authority for broadcasting, online content, radiocommunications and telecommunications, with responsibilities under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, the Radiocommunications Act 1992, the Telecommunications Act 1997 and related Acts.” Established on 1 July 2005 following a merger of the Australian Communications Authority and the Australian Broadcasting Authority.”8
Act
“means the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth).” 9
ASIC - Australian Securities and Investments Commission
“Australia’s corporate, markets and financial services regulator.” Contributes to “Australia’s economic reputation and wellbeing by ensuring that Australia’s financial markets are fair and transparent, supported by confident and informed investors and consumers.” It is an independent Commonwealth Government body set up under, and to administer, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (ASIC Act). It carries out most of its work under the Corporations Act 2001 (Corporations Act).12
Broadband
“Typically defined as internet access with a download speed greater or equal to 256 kbit/s. Broadband is implemented through a range of technologies such as optical fibre, DSL13, HFC14 cable, mobile broadband, fixed wireless and satellite. Broadband is an ‘always-on’ technology that does not tie up a telephone line exclusively for data.” 8
Consumer
“An individual who acquires or may acquire a Telecommunications Product for the primary purpose of personal or domestic use and not for resale” 9, 15
Customer
“A Consumer who has entered into a Customer Contract with a Supplier” 9
Customer Contract
“Means an arrangement or agreement between a Supplier and a Consumer for the supply of a Telecommunications Product to that Consumer. For the avoidance of doubt, unless stated otherwise, the Standard Form Customer Contract is a Customer Contract.” 9
Discount
“A reduction in the Charge which is usually levied by a Supplier” 9
Fixed-line telephone service
“Covers the delivery of voice services over a copper pair-based PSTN access network or fixed-line broadband networks.” 8
GB - Gigabyte
“One billion bytes. Each byte is eight bits.” 8
Included Value Plan
“Means a mobile Post-Paid Service plan under which the Customer receives a larger amount of monthly included value than the minimum monthly Charge they pay (e.g. for $50 per month they may receive $500 included value), to use on a combination of eligible services across Standard National Mobile Calls, Standard National Mobile SMS and national data usage, and the use of any of these three eligible services is not unlimited.” 9
KB - Kilobyte
"A thousand bytes.” 8
LTE – Long Term Evolution
“A suite of radio and core network specifications for the enhancement of mobile networks beyond 3G capabilities. It is associated with 4G system builds providing higher data rates, higher quality of service and better resource utilisation.” 8
MB – Megabyte
“One million bytes.” 8
MMS - multimedia messaging service
“Mobile telecommunications data transmission service for sending messages with a combination of text, sound, image and video to MMS-capable handsets.” 8
MNO - Mobile Network Operator
A mobile service operator that has licensed spectrum and the infrastructure to provide services to its customers or to resell access to MVNOs for their customers.
MVNE - Mobile Virtual Network Enabler
“A company that provides services to mobile virtual network operators, such as billing, network element provisioning, administration, operations, support of base station subsystems and operations support systems, and provision of back end network elements, to enable provision of mobile network services like cellular phone connectivity.” 16
MVNO - Mobile Virtual Network Operator.
“A mobile service operator that does not have its own licensed spectrum and does not have the infrastructure to provide mobile service to its customers. Instead, MVNOs lease wireless capacity from pre-existing mobile service providers and establish a brand name different to that of the provider.” 17
NBN - National Broadband Network
“The national wholesale-only open access data network in Australia offering high-speed broadband to all Australian premises using a multi-technology mix.” 8
Offer
“Means a current, standard in-market plan containing pricing that is made by a Supplier for the provision of Telecommunications Products, which is available to any individual Consumer or Consumers as a class and includes, without limitation such offers made in Advertising.” 9
Post-paid
"Means a Telecommunications Product that can be used fully or in part prior to being paid for by the Consumer.” 9
Prepaid
“Means a Telecommunications Product that must be paid for by the Consumer before it is used.” 9
Smartphone
“A mobile phone built on a mobile operating system, with more advanced computing capability and connectivity.” 8
SMS - short message service
“A mobile telecommunications data transmission service that allows users to send short text messages to each other using a mobile handset.” 8
Standard National Mobile Call
“Means a mobile voice telephone call from a Supplier’s mobile service to another Supplier’s mobile service (off-net) during peak time where the calling and receiving parties are in Australia.” 9
Standard National Mobile SMS
“Means a mobile short message containing a maximum of 160 characters from a Supplier’s mobile service to another Supplier’s mobile service (off-net) during peak-time where the sending and receiving parties are in Australia.” 9
Subscribers
The term ‘subscriber’ is often used rather than the number of ‘users’ as counts of subscribers are not the same as counts of people/organisations with a mobile phone service. This is because some subscribers may have accounts with more than one service provider or multiple accounts with a single service provider.
“Means the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman is appointed under the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman scheme referred to in the Act.” 9
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