Sloppy call data gets Telstra an ACMA wrist-slap

Telstra is on notice that its data roaming billing isn't up to scratch, courtesy the Australian Communications and Media Authority. At fault : billing systems with a persistent penchant for plugging multiple flagfall fees on a single data session. This, the ACMA says, put the incumbent in breach of the Telecommunications …

[Winkypop]

Telstra billing

What could go wrong?

So quick to err, so slow to correct.

[John Tserkezis]

However, because the carrier got in touch with the affected customers and provided refunds, the ACMA has issued a notice, but not imposed any other penalty.

Notice it doesn't say they actually *fixed* it yet...

From the same company that sends credit collectors to your place for an outstanding sub-dollar bill.

[leeCh]

Never surprised

This quote from a very senior executive of a national Telco (many years ago):

"Telephone companies only have to do two things. Connect two people, and bill them for it - and they usually get at least one of those wrong".

Considering the many thousands of Telcos there are around the planet there's an extraordinarily small number of them that treat their Call Data Records (including those for data) with any respect. For prepaid, CDRs are your primary audit trail, for Postpaid, they are your actual revenue. The great majority of Telcos just don't want to know. And obviously that includes Telstra.