Outrageous: OZschwitz watchdog to regulate 'astronomical' text costs

The consumer watchdog says it will now regulate the price telcos charge each other for text messages, hoping it will lower the cost for consumers.

Outrageous: OZschwitz watchdog to regulate 'astronomical' text costs 1403051062755

Outrageous: OZschwitz watchdog to regulate 'astronomical' text costs 1403051062755

The decision to begin regulating SMS "termination costs" follows an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission inquiry that received submissions from consumer groups who said consumers were being gouged by telcos.

In a submission to the inquiry, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network said some Australians were paying unreasonable SMS prices because telcos inflated the price they charged one another to pass texts between networks.

"Telcos are currently setting whatever outrageous wholesale price they want and then that gets passed onto consumers," ACCAN deputy chief executive officer Narelle Clark said as the inquiry was underway.

"This level of profit margin is astronomical."

In announcing its decision to regulate SMS costs, ACCC Commissioner Cristina Cifuentes said it "should lead to lower SMS prices for consumers".

http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/watchdog-to-regulate-astronomical-sms-costs-20140617-zsal4.html

Outrageous: OZschwitz watchdog to regulate 'astronomical' text costs

Outrageous: OZschwitz watchdog to regulate 'astronomical' text costs

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