JavaScript is off. Please enable to view full site.

Smartphones drive complaints spike in Australia

Smartphones drive complaints spike in Australia

Monday, October 29, 2012, 14:02 GMT+7

Complaints about mobile phones to Australia's telecoms watchdog jumped nine percent in a year, accounting for two-thirds of all gripes received due to growing smartphone use, a study said on Monday.

Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Simon Cohen said there were 122,834 mobile phone complaints in the year to June 30 – an increase of nine percent on the previous year – despite overall grievances dropping two percent.

Two out of three complaints related to mobile phones, reflecting what Cohen said was the "rising use of smartphones".

Some 89 percent of Australians were estimated to own a mobile phone in 2011 – rising to 97-98 percent in the 18-44 age bracket – with the market dominated by Internet-enabled handsets made popular by Apple and Samsung.

Only Japan and South Korea are believed to have a greater level of 3G handset penetration, according to the government's Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Sketchy coverage, over-charging and other bill disputes were the most common issues, with complaints about Internet usage charges rocketing 150 percent.

Cohen said the number of complaints over credit blacklisting due to unresolved telecoms debts had also increased, which he described as concerning.

"Credit listings can have very significant impacts on people, affecting applications for credit, including for housing and personal loans," the ombudsman said.

He also called for an improved system of notifying consumers when they are approaching a data or call limit, which will be required under a new telecoms consumer protection code to come into effect from 2013.

"Complaints about unexpectedly high bills and unnecessary financial over-commitment point to the urgent need for strong spend management rules, including those that are included in the new code," Cohen said.

AFP

More

Read more

;

Photos

VIDEOS

‘Taste of Australia’ gala dinner held in Ho Chi Minh City after 2-year hiatus

Taste of Australia Gala Reception has returned to the Park Hyatt Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Vietnamese woman gives unconditional love to hundreds of adopted children

Despite her own immense hardship, she has taken in and cared for hundreds of orphans over the past three decades.

Vietnam’s Mekong Delta celebrates spring with ‘hat boi’ performances

The art form is so popular that it attracts people from all ages in the Mekong Delta

Vietnamese youngster travels back in time with clay miniatures

Each work is a scene caught by Dung and kept in his memories through his journeys across Vietnam

Latest news