Tougher rules to help reduce phone bill shock

The communications regulator says it hopes a new consumer protection code will help reduce complaints about misleading mobile phone plans and bill shock.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is introducing tough new rules for advertising and billing by the telcos amid soaring levels of complaints from customers

The code, developed by the telcos themselves, will require them to include more information on their advertisements, including the cost of a two-minute call and an SMS.

It also moves to make mobile plans easier to compare, reduce what is known as bill shock or unexpectedly high bills, and improve how complaints are dealt with — via redwolf.newsvine.com