Displaying items by tag: Competition regulator

Electricity, gas and Internet provider Sumo Power is facing court action by Australia’s competition watchdog the ACCC over allegations it made false or misleading representations to Victorian consumers in relation to its electricity plans.

Steps taken by NBN Co and service providers meant that broadband speeds and connectivity held up well during May 2020 despite a big increase in the use of video conferencing and streaming services due to COVID-19, according to the ACCC.

NBN speeds and performance declined as Australians followed social distancing instructions to stay home due to COVID-19, but picked up following measures by NBN Co and streaming providers, according to the competition regulator, the ACCC.

New Zealand’s competition regulator The Commerce Commission has fined holiday rental management and accommodation company Bachcare $117,000 for misleading consumers by altering and withholding publication of online reviews posted by users of its accommodation services.

Competition law expert and former Australian Government Solicitor Stephen Ridgeway has been appointed to the ACCC as a Commissioner.

The competition regulator, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Optus Internet and Optus Mobile, alleging the company misled consumers about the need to move to the NBN or risk being disconnected.

New Zealand’s largest telco Spark has been hit with a fine of NZ$675,000 for making false or misleading representations in its customer invoicing, and when making a NZ$100 credit offer to new customers.

Telecommunications services provider TPG Telecom is facing allegations in the Federal Court by Australia’s competition watchdog, the ACCC, that it engaged in misleading conduct about a $20 "pre-payment" made by consumers, and including unfair pre-payment contract terms in some of the its plans.

An Auckland motor vehicle trader has been hit with a NZ$75,000 fine by New Zealand’s competition regulator for misrepresenting consumers’ rights when selling used vehicles online.

The competition regulator, the ACCC, is toughing its stance on internet service providers (ISPs), calling for them to provide far better information to consumers about the performance of their services – in particular, the speed of their Internet connections.