Optus Internet Pty Limited and TPG Internet Pty Ltd have issued refunds of more than $4.4 million and $2.1 million, respectively, for failing to suitably notify tens of thousands of consumers that the maximum speeds advertised in their internet plan were not attainable on the NBN infrastructure available to them.
In July 2021, Optus self-reported that over a two-year period, it had failed to inform more than 34,000 customers that they were not receiving the level of service they had purchased.
In October 2021, TPG advised the ACMA that it had failed to provide more than 4,400 customers with the notifications required.
Under ACMA rules, telcos must verify maximum internet speeds when migrating customers to the NBN and notify them when speeds cannot meet those that were originally advertised to them.
As a result of these breaches the ACMA has issued with a remedial direction. TPG offered a court-enforceable undertaking to the ACMA, which it has accepted.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said when telcos cannot deliver the internet speeds advertised in a plan, customers are entitled to move to a cheaper, lower-speed plan or exit the contract at no cost.
“Optus and TPG were charging these people for internet speeds they could not get,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
“These customers were left in the dark and denied the option to move to a cheaper contract or walk away.”
Under its , Optus is required to commission an independent audit of its relevant compliance systems and implement effective systems and governance processes to ensure future compliance.
Under its , TPG is required to commission an independent audit of its relevant compliance systems as well as implement effective systems and governance processes to ensure future compliance.
In June 2021, the ACMA issued Telstra with a for similar issues.
“The scale of service failure by these companies is significant. Our actions will ensure the top three telcos are more vigilant delivering the internet service their customers expect and have paid for,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
The ACMA can commence proceedings in the Federal Court if Optus fails to meet the requirements of its remedial direction or TPG does not comply with its enforceable undertaking.
Optus has advised that it has contacted customers covered by the Telecommunications Service Provider (NBN Service Migration) Determination 2018, and offered them the applicable remedies, including the total of over $4.4 million in refunds. As of early December 2021, TPG had refunded more than $2.1 million to customers as part of its remediation program.
