Latest news with #StephenRue
ABC News
30-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Optus Sport customers to receive discounts after transfer of Premier League broadcast rights to Stan
Existing Optus Sport customers are set to receive discounted pricing to watch the English Premier League after the transfer of broadcast rights to Stan. Nine's Stan Sport streaming service will begin airing the football content from August 1, the date when Optus Sport shuts down, ending a nine-year run. The new Premier League season kicks off on August 16. It is yet to be determined whether any football content will be broadcast on Nine's free to air channels at this stage. Stan is paying Optus Sport an up-front fee of $20 million and making a contribution toward the first payment for the next Premier League rights cycles. The agreement also includes the rights to FA Cup games, Japan's and the US National Women's Soccer League. "The Premier League is the most-watched football league on the planet, and alongside the FA Cup, this acquisition reinforces Nine's position as the home of sport in Australia," Nine CEO Matt Stanton said in a statement. "We are proud to deliver these iconic competitions to Australian audiences through Stan Sport." Under the agreement, Optus Sport customers who remain Optus telecommunications customers will be provided discounted pricing from Stan. Existing customers will receive detailed information and special offers in coming days to ensure the transition to Stan is as simple as possible. Optus CEO Stephen Rue said the decision to transfer the Premier League broadcast rights comes as the company shifts its focus to Optus's core operations in telecommunications, its commitment to customers, and unlocking further value for the business in its future. "Optus Sport has delivered outstanding sports broadcasting to Australian football lovers for almost a decade," Rue said in a statement. "One of our key priorities was to find a home for Optus Sport content which would take the game forward and enable all Optus Sport subscribers to continue to receive uninterrupted access to all their favourite football action. "Optus Sport customers and the game of football will be in great hands at Stan, and we know the game will receive the broadcasting priority it deserves from an organisation whose speciality is delivering quality sports programming to its customers." Existing Optus Sport customers will still be able access the broadcast of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 tournament, which commences on July 3. ABC/AAP
SBS Australia
18-06-2025
- Business
- SBS Australia
Optus faces $100 millon fine over unlawful sales to vulnerable First Nations customers
Optus has agreed to a $100 million penalty, subject to court approval, over conduct that saw many First Nations people from remote communities sold services they did not want or need. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said many of the affected consumers were vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage, such as living with a mental disability, or English not being a first language. Many of the consumers were First Nations Australians from regional, remote and very remote parts of Australia. The consumer watchdog sued the telco in October last year over the practices, which affected hundreds of vulnerable customers. In one instance outlined by the ACCC, a First Nations consumer who speaks English as a second language and lives in a remote community with no Optus coverage, was sold a phone. "The customer was approached by Optus staff outside an Optus store and pressured to enter," ACCC said in a statement. "They thought staff were offering them a free phone and other free products and felt pressured by staff to accept," the statement read. Optus has admitted that its sales staff acted unconscionably when selling products and services to more than 400 consumers at 16 different stores across Australia between August 2019 and July 2023. Optus CEO Stephen Rue said the misconduct was inexcusable and unacceptable. 'I would like to sincerely apologise to all customers affected by the misconduct in some of our stores,' Mr Rue said in a statement. 'Optus failed these customers, and the company should have acted more quickly when the misconduct was first reported. "I am leading the implementation of extensive changes across the company with active responses to the issues raised well underway," Mr Rue said. Optus has also signed an undertaking, accepted by the ACCC, that it will compensate impacted consumers and improve its internal systems, the commencement of which is subject to the Court making relevant orders. 'The conduct, which included selling inappropriate, unwanted or unaffordable mobiles and phone plans to people who are vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage is simply unacceptable,' ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said. 'During our investigation into this case, the ACCC heard many stories of the impact of this conduct on affected consumers.' 'Many of these consumers who were vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage also experienced significant financial harm. They accrued thousands of dollars of unexpected debt and some were pursued by debt collectors, in some instances for years,' Ms Lowe said.
7NEWS
18-06-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Optus says ‘yes' to $100m fine over dodgy sales tactics
Optus is on the hook for a $100 million fine after it pressured Aboriginal customers in remote regions into buying phone products they did not need or want. The nation's second-biggest mobile operator has admitted to engaging in 'unconscionable conduct' after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission launched court action. 'In many instances, the consumers did not want or need, could not use or could not afford what they were sold, and in some cases consumers were pursued for debts resulting from these sales,' the ACCC said on Wednesday. It said many vulnerable customers were among the 400-plus victims across 16 stores between August 2019 and July 2023 pressured into buying phones. The consumer watchdog specifically pointed the finger at Optus for deceiving Indigenous Australians in regional, remote and very remote areas. Other customers who purchased unwanted products included people with diminished cognitive capacity, unemployed, having limited financial literacy or English not being a first language. The watchdog and Optus will jointly ask the Federal Court to impose a total penalty of $100 million for breaching consumer law, but it is up to the court to decide the final fine. The national peak communications consumer body said the fine would represent one of the largest consumer law penalties in Australian history. 'Unconscionable conduct is a high bar and one that Optus has spectacularly surpassed in its behaviour preying on some of our most vulnerable communities and consumers, including Indigenous communities,' Australian Communications Consumer Action Network chief executive Carol Bennett said. Optus CEO Stephen Rue said the company's misconduct was inexcusable and unacceptable. 'I would like to sincerely apologise to all customers affected by the misconduct in some of our stores,' Rue said. 'Optus failed these customers, and the company should have acted more quickly when the misconduct was first reported.' Examples of the misconduct also included sales staff failing to point out whether Optus even had coverage in remote areas where customers lived, failing to explain the financial obligations involved in contracts and misleading users into believing certain goods were free. 'The conduct, which included selling inappropriate, unwanted or unaffordable mobiles and phone plans to people who are vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage, is simply unacceptable,' commission deputy chair Catriona Lowe said. 'Many of these consumers who were vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage also experienced significant financial harm.' Lowe said the commission was particularly concerned Optus used debt collectors to pursue some customers after it had launched internal investigations into the sales conduct. She noted the telco's actions caused 'significant emotional distress and fear'. Financial counsellors said the case was further proof the telco sector needed stronger, enforceable regulation. 'Fines are important, but what we really need is structural reform and genuine cultural safety built into how businesses engage with First Nations communities,' Financial Counselling Australia's First Nations policy director Lynda Edwards said.
The Advertiser
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Optus faces $100 million fine over unlawful sales to vulnerable people
Optus will ask a court for a $100 million penalty after admitting to breaching Australian Consumer Law over sales to vulnerable people. More than 400 Optus customers were sold products they did not want or need, could not use or could not afford and many were pursued by debt collectors and accrued massive debts. Many of the sales were to vulnerable people, including First Nations, people living with disability and people with limited financial and English literacy. The ACCC and Optus will jointly ask the Federal Court to impose the penalty after reaching an agreement, announced on June 18. Optus admitted to engaging in unconscionable conduct after the consumer watchdog launched court action in October 2024. The announcement said Optus admitted that its sales staff "acted unconscionably" when selling phones and contracts between 2019 and 2023. Optus CEO Stephen Rue said the misconduct was inexcusable and unacceptable and apologised to affected customers. "Optus failed these customers, and the company should have acted more quickly when the misconduct was first reported," Mr Rue said. He said he was leading the implementation of extensive changes across the company. "There is much more to do as we work to regain our customers' trust and improve support and protections for them, especially for those who are vulnerable." READ MORE: Optus regrets 'unacceptable' conduct alleged by ACCC Optus has signed an undertaking to compensate the affected consumers and improve its internal systems. The timing of this will be subject to court orders. ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said the telco's behaviour was "simply unacceptable". "During our investigation into this case, the ACCC heard many stories of the impact of this conduct on affected consumers." "Many of these consumers who were vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage also experienced significant financial harm. They accrued thousands of dollars of unexpected debt and some were pursued by debt collectors, in some instances for years," Ms Lowe said. Ms Lowe thanked advocates, financial counsellors and carers who helped the affected customers. Communication consumer organisation Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) said it welcomed the news that Optus could pay one of the largest consumer law penalties. ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said Optus had "spectacularly surpassed" the high bar of unconscionable conduct in its actions. "Phone and internet products are not a luxury - they are fundamental and essential services. To manipulate, abuse and exert control over people reliant on the product or service being sold represents a cruel and uncaring approach," Ms Bennett said. "It beggars' belief that Optus or any telco could feel this behaviour is acceptable." "We thank the ACCC for acting on behalf of those who were exploited by this appalling behaviour." Optus will ask a court for a $100 million penalty after admitting to breaching Australian Consumer Law over sales to vulnerable people. More than 400 Optus customers were sold products they did not want or need, could not use or could not afford and many were pursued by debt collectors and accrued massive debts. Many of the sales were to vulnerable people, including First Nations, people living with disability and people with limited financial and English literacy. The ACCC and Optus will jointly ask the Federal Court to impose the penalty after reaching an agreement, announced on June 18. Optus admitted to engaging in unconscionable conduct after the consumer watchdog launched court action in October 2024. The announcement said Optus admitted that its sales staff "acted unconscionably" when selling phones and contracts between 2019 and 2023. Optus CEO Stephen Rue said the misconduct was inexcusable and unacceptable and apologised to affected customers. "Optus failed these customers, and the company should have acted more quickly when the misconduct was first reported," Mr Rue said. He said he was leading the implementation of extensive changes across the company. "There is much more to do as we work to regain our customers' trust and improve support and protections for them, especially for those who are vulnerable." READ MORE: Optus regrets 'unacceptable' conduct alleged by ACCC Optus has signed an undertaking to compensate the affected consumers and improve its internal systems. The timing of this will be subject to court orders. ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said the telco's behaviour was "simply unacceptable". "During our investigation into this case, the ACCC heard many stories of the impact of this conduct on affected consumers." "Many of these consumers who were vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage also experienced significant financial harm. They accrued thousands of dollars of unexpected debt and some were pursued by debt collectors, in some instances for years," Ms Lowe said. Ms Lowe thanked advocates, financial counsellors and carers who helped the affected customers. Communication consumer organisation Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) said it welcomed the news that Optus could pay one of the largest consumer law penalties. ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said Optus had "spectacularly surpassed" the high bar of unconscionable conduct in its actions. "Phone and internet products are not a luxury - they are fundamental and essential services. To manipulate, abuse and exert control over people reliant on the product or service being sold represents a cruel and uncaring approach," Ms Bennett said. "It beggars' belief that Optus or any telco could feel this behaviour is acceptable." "We thank the ACCC for acting on behalf of those who were exploited by this appalling behaviour." Optus will ask a court for a $100 million penalty after admitting to breaching Australian Consumer Law over sales to vulnerable people. More than 400 Optus customers were sold products they did not want or need, could not use or could not afford and many were pursued by debt collectors and accrued massive debts. Many of the sales were to vulnerable people, including First Nations, people living with disability and people with limited financial and English literacy. The ACCC and Optus will jointly ask the Federal Court to impose the penalty after reaching an agreement, announced on June 18. Optus admitted to engaging in unconscionable conduct after the consumer watchdog launched court action in October 2024. The announcement said Optus admitted that its sales staff "acted unconscionably" when selling phones and contracts between 2019 and 2023. Optus CEO Stephen Rue said the misconduct was inexcusable and unacceptable and apologised to affected customers. "Optus failed these customers, and the company should have acted more quickly when the misconduct was first reported," Mr Rue said. He said he was leading the implementation of extensive changes across the company. "There is much more to do as we work to regain our customers' trust and improve support and protections for them, especially for those who are vulnerable." READ MORE: Optus regrets 'unacceptable' conduct alleged by ACCC Optus has signed an undertaking to compensate the affected consumers and improve its internal systems. The timing of this will be subject to court orders. ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said the telco's behaviour was "simply unacceptable". "During our investigation into this case, the ACCC heard many stories of the impact of this conduct on affected consumers." "Many of these consumers who were vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage also experienced significant financial harm. They accrued thousands of dollars of unexpected debt and some were pursued by debt collectors, in some instances for years," Ms Lowe said. Ms Lowe thanked advocates, financial counsellors and carers who helped the affected customers. Communication consumer organisation Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) said it welcomed the news that Optus could pay one of the largest consumer law penalties. ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said Optus had "spectacularly surpassed" the high bar of unconscionable conduct in its actions. "Phone and internet products are not a luxury - they are fundamental and essential services. To manipulate, abuse and exert control over people reliant on the product or service being sold represents a cruel and uncaring approach," Ms Bennett said. "It beggars' belief that Optus or any telco could feel this behaviour is acceptable." "We thank the ACCC for acting on behalf of those who were exploited by this appalling behaviour." Optus will ask a court for a $100 million penalty after admitting to breaching Australian Consumer Law over sales to vulnerable people. More than 400 Optus customers were sold products they did not want or need, could not use or could not afford and many were pursued by debt collectors and accrued massive debts. Many of the sales were to vulnerable people, including First Nations, people living with disability and people with limited financial and English literacy. The ACCC and Optus will jointly ask the Federal Court to impose the penalty after reaching an agreement, announced on June 18. Optus admitted to engaging in unconscionable conduct after the consumer watchdog launched court action in October 2024. The announcement said Optus admitted that its sales staff "acted unconscionably" when selling phones and contracts between 2019 and 2023. Optus CEO Stephen Rue said the misconduct was inexcusable and unacceptable and apologised to affected customers. "Optus failed these customers, and the company should have acted more quickly when the misconduct was first reported," Mr Rue said. He said he was leading the implementation of extensive changes across the company. "There is much more to do as we work to regain our customers' trust and improve support and protections for them, especially for those who are vulnerable." READ MORE: Optus regrets 'unacceptable' conduct alleged by ACCC Optus has signed an undertaking to compensate the affected consumers and improve its internal systems. The timing of this will be subject to court orders. ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said the telco's behaviour was "simply unacceptable". "During our investigation into this case, the ACCC heard many stories of the impact of this conduct on affected consumers." "Many of these consumers who were vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage also experienced significant financial harm. They accrued thousands of dollars of unexpected debt and some were pursued by debt collectors, in some instances for years," Ms Lowe said. Ms Lowe thanked advocates, financial counsellors and carers who helped the affected customers. Communication consumer organisation Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) said it welcomed the news that Optus could pay one of the largest consumer law penalties. ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said Optus had "spectacularly surpassed" the high bar of unconscionable conduct in its actions. "Phone and internet products are not a luxury - they are fundamental and essential services. To manipulate, abuse and exert control over people reliant on the product or service being sold represents a cruel and uncaring approach," Ms Bennett said. "It beggars' belief that Optus or any telco could feel this behaviour is acceptable." "We thank the ACCC for acting on behalf of those who were exploited by this appalling behaviour."
The Guardian
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Optus agrees to $100m penalty for selling phones to customers who couldn't afford them or were out of range
Optus has agreed to pay a $100m penalty after conceding it engaged in unconscionable conduct when selling phones and contracts to hundreds of customers that could not afford them, did not want them, or didn't even have coverage to use them. The negotiated penalty, if approved by a federal court judge, came after court action taken against Optus by the consumer regulator. If imposed, it would be the largest ever for the telco sector. The Optus chief executive, Stephen Rue, said the misconduct was inexcusable. 'I would like to sincerely apologise to all customers affected by the misconduct in some of our stores,' Rue said. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 'Optus failed these customers and the company should have acted more quickly when the misconduct was first reported.' The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said many of the affected consumers were vulnerable, and were living with a mental disability or diminished cognitive capacity. Some were unemployed, or had language barriers. In one example provided by the ACCC, an Indigenous Australian, who speaks English as a second language and lives in a remote community with no Optus coverage, was approached by the telco's staff outside a store and pressured to enter. The person thought Optus was offering them a free phone and felt pressured to accept. They ended up being contracted to two high-end phones, three phone plans, and various services and accessories with a total minimum cost of $3,808 over 24 months. Shortly after, they were signed up to a second phone plan with a further $540 minimum spend. Unable to pay, the person had their debt referred to debt collectors. The ACCC said unconscionable conduct at Optus affected more than 400 consumers at 16 stores across Australia between 2019 and 2023, and involved: putting pressure on consumers to buy a large number of products they did not want or need, could not use or could not afford; failing to explain relevant conditions to vulnerable consumers, resulting in them not understanding ongoing payment obligations; ignoring whether customers had Optus coverage where they lived. The ACCC deputy chair, Catriona Lowe, said that some vulnerable customers were pursued by debt collectors for years. 'It is not surprising, and indeed could and should have been anticipated, that this conduct caused many of these people significant emotional distress and fear,' Lowe said. As part of the agreement reached with the regulator, Optus has signed an undertaking to compensate impacted consumers and improve its internal systems. The telco has said internal disciplinary action had been taken and that the sales staff responsible had lost their jobs. The industry body, Financial Counselling Australia, said sales commissions at Optus stores drove 'predatory practices', which continued unchecked because of the telco's lack of compliance controls. 'This misconduct was the result of corporate arrogance, a lack of oversight, and business models that failed to prioritise the protection of vulnerable customers,' the FCA said. 'More broadly, this case is yet another example of why the telco sector needs stronger, enforceable regulation.'
