Telecommunications service provider Crunch Tel has been formally warned by the Australian Communications Media Authority (ACMA) over the transfer of customers to its service without their consent.
Crunch Tel has been reminded by the ACMA that the Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code (TCP) contains the rules that providers must follow when transferring customers—including when those transfers happen as a result of one service provider selling its business to another.
The ACMA says that in October 2016, 408 customers were transferred from Crunch Networks Pty Ltd to Crunch Tel as part of the sale of the supplier’s business assets.
“However, neither Crunch Networks (now under external administration) nor Crunch Tel contacted customers to obtain their consent, let them know what was happening or inform them of their termination rights,” the ACMA notes.
{loadpositiion peter}“Customers have the right to know that they are being transferred between service providers and must consent to that transfer prior to it taking place,” said Australian and Communications Media Authority Chair, Nerida O’Loughlin.
“It is unacceptable for a telco to notify its consumers that their services have been transferred after the event.
“While this investigation focussed on Crunch Tel’s failures, its findings serve as a reminder to all telcos of their obligations under the Code regarding transfers and other important consumer protections.”