Australian Telecom Regulation and Compliance with Industry Codes

Australian telecom operators play a crucial role in providing communication services to Australians. To ensure the provision of reliable and safe services, these operators must comply with relevant industry codes, Australian standards, and laws. This compliance is essential to safeguarding consumers against fraudulent and malicious activities, such as scam calls.

One such industry code that Australian telecom operators must comply with is the CA C661:2020 Reducing Scam Calls Industry Code. This code, registered by the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA), aims to reduce the number of scam calls received by Australians. The code requires telecom operators to detect and block certain call types that may be associated with scam activity.

In particular, the Reducing Scam Calls Industry Code mandates that telecom operators must block calls that display Australian Geographic, Freephone, Local Rate, Premium Rate Numbers, and Universal Toll-Free numbers as the A-Party Calling Line Identifier (CLI) information on internationally originated phone calls received by the operators. Additionally, calls displaying Australian Freephone and Local Rates, Premium Rate Numbers, and Universal Toll-Free numbers as the A-Party CLI information on phone calls received by the operators must also be blocked.

Australian telecom operators are responsible for providing phone numbers to users for making and receiving calls within Australia. These numbers are regulated by the ACMA, and any use of these numbers must comply with the Reducing Scam Calls Industry Code. If a user attempts to make or receive a call using a number that is not supported by the code, the call may be blocked.

Compliance with the Reducing Scam Calls Industry Code is crucial in protecting consumers against fraudulent and malicious activities. Australian telecom operators must work diligently to detect and block scam calls, as they can cause significant harm to individuals and businesses. Blocking these calls helps to prevent financial loss and personal information theft, ultimately ensuring that Australians can use telecom services with confidence.

In conclusion, compliance with industry codes, such as the Reducing Scam Calls Industry Code, is essential for Australian telecom operators to provide safe and reliable communication services to Australians. Telecom operators must comply with these codes to detect and block scam calls, ultimately protecting consumers against fraudulent and malicious activities. The cooperation of all stakeholders, including telecom operators, regulatory bodies, and consumers, is crucial in creating a secure and trustworthy telecom environment in Australia.