Hutchinson 3G, trading as 3 mobile, has become the first company to sign a new Communications Alliance agreement intended to protect telecommunications consumers.
The Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code was developed by Communications Alliance to protect users of residential and small business telecoms services.
“We welcome 3’s public commitment to the spirit of quality customer service embodied by the protections this new code offers to Australian telecommunications consumers,” said Communications Alliance CEO Anne Hurley.
The code covers several areas including advertising, point-of-sale information, fair consumer contracts, billing, credit management, customer transfer and complaints handling.
By consolidating these protections within a single code, the Communications Alliance hopes to simplify code interpretation and compliance, with the ultimate result of protecting consumers.
Hurley said signing the agreement will benefit service providers as well as their customers.
“Consumer protection is an important element of customer satisfaction and loyalty. So it is an excellent way to achieve a mutual benefit for service providers and their customers,” she said.
Michael Young, director of technology and customer services at 3, echoed Hurley’s sentiment.
“With the establishment of this single code, it makes it easier for 3’s customers to know their rights and ensures that 3’s business practices, procedures and staff training are in line with the requirements of this and other industry codes,” Young said.
