On July 1st the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) handheld satellite phones to access the Triple Zero emergency call service.
‘These regulatory changes mean that all handheld satellite phone users will know that, in the event of a life-threatening or time-critical emergency, they can dial Triple Zero,’ said ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman commented.
Mr. Chapman added ‘The ACMA however cautions that access to Triple Zero from handheld satellite phones is only one component of improving public safety. Being well prepared when travelling to remote areas of Australia, and telling someone of your plans, is equally important.’
Mr. Chapman explained that ACMA works closely with government, industry and emergency service organisations, in regulating and monitoring the provision of the Emergency Call Service and that in 2012-13, 8.8 million calls were made to the Emergency Call Service. Telstra (as the Emergency Call Person) continues to perform above the regulatory requirement for emergency call answering, with 99.1 per cent of calls answered within 10 seconds in 2012-13, against a target of 95 per cent.