Key developments in the area of Technology, Media and
Telecommunications over the past two months are summarised
below.
JUDGMENT
Optus fined for misleading consumers
On 22 May 2018, the Federal Court of Australia imposed a
pecuniary penalty of $1.5m on Optus Internet Pty Ltd arising out of
misleading notifications provided to customers regarding their
switch to the National Broadband Network: Australian
Competition and Consumer Commission v Optus Internet Pty Ltd
[2018] FCA 777. Over a period of 18 months, Optus had advised
customers that their Optus Internet service would be disconnected
on a specific date or within a specific period and that it would be
necessary to acquire NBN based services from Optus Internet in
order to continue receiving home telephone and/or internet.
Following the commencement of proceedings by the Australian
Competition and Consumer Commission, Optus admitted that its
notifications contravened sections 18 and 29(1)(m) of the
Austral
