The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has found TPG, Optus, Dodo and Telstra in breach of consumer protection rules after more than 1500 of their customers were left without telco services while trying to migrate to the NBN.

Rules put in place by ACMA stipulate that a telco must supply a replacement service after three working days of a customer being left without a service during a failed attempt to connect to the NBN.

ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin said four related ACMA investigations found 1586 breaches by these telcos due to their failure to supply any replacement services.

“Many Australians rely on phone and internet services for their work and home lives, and significant disruptions can have a heavy impact on their livelihoods and wellbeing,” Ms O’Loughlin said.

“TPG, Optus, Dodo and Telstra have all let down these customers and effectively left them high and dry during the NBN migration.”

Additional rules require that, if after 20 working days the NBN connection is still not working, the telco must develop a remedial plan to address the issue.

If the service is still not working after 40 working days, it must conduct a technical audit to identify the necessary steps to complete the migration.

ACMA’s investigation found that these steps were also not being taken by these telcos, with 5158 breaches of the rules due to remedial plans and technical audits not being undertaken by the providers.

All four companies have provided court-enforceable undertakings to introduce measures to improve compliance with the service continuity rules. They must report back to the ACMA each quarter for 12 months.

If these telcos do not comply with the enforceable undertakings, the ACMA can start proceedings against them in the Federal Court.

Have you had problems migrating to the NBN since it was installed in your area? Did your telco provide a remedy?