Australian Telecommunications Alliance Assumes Responsibility for Internet Industry Association (IIA) Codes and Operations
Sydney, 24 March 2014 – Australian Telecommunications Alliance will take responsibility for the industry Codes and core responsibilities of the Internet Industry Association (IIA) under an agreement signed today. The move follows a decision by the Board of the IIA to seek to transfer its operations to Australian Telecommunications Alliance and, in due course, cease trading as a separate association.
The Boards of Australian Telecommunications Alliance and the IIA have agreed a set of arrangements designed to ensure a smooth transition within which:
- the co-regulatory responsibilities of the IIA continue to be managed and progressed; and
- former IIA members can continue to be represented and assisted by Australian Telecommunications Alliance
Australian Telecommunications Alliance CEO, John Stanton, said the arrangements, developed during recent discussions with the IIA, were aimed at the best interests of all stakeholders.
Under the agreement the IIA will assign to Australian Telecommunications Alliance the copyright in and ownership of the IIA’s industry Codes, including the iCode, Content Codes, Content Services Code and Interactive Gambling Code. Australian Telecommunications Alliance will also take over responsibility for the family friendly internet filter scheme.
Australian Telecommunications Alliance will offer existing financial IIA members membership of Australian Telecommunications Alliance at no charge for the duration of their existing paid IIA membership period.
Australian Telecommunications Alliance will also create a working group focused on online security, cyber safety and related issues and to continue the work of the recently created National Online Security Council (NOSC).
Mr Stanton paid tribute to the valuable work of the IIA over the past several decades.
“The IIA has been a strong advocate for the ISP and online security sector and put in place important platforms to help ensure that ISPs are well prepared to deal with cyber threats and that families can be confident about protecting their children from undesirable content.”
“Australian Telecommunications Alliance welcomes all former IIA members who transition to our ‘family’ and looks forward to working with them to strongly represent their interests and to build on the achievements to date,” Mr Stanton said.
ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS ALLIANCE
Australian Telecommunications Alliance is the primary communications industry body in Australia. Its membership is drawn from a wide cross-section of the communications industry, including carriers, carriage and internet service providers, content providers, platform providers, equipment vendors, IT companies, consultants and business groups.
Its vision is to be the most influential association in Australian communications, co-operatively initiating programs that promote sustainable industry development, innovation and growth, while generating positive outcomes for customers and society.
The prime mission of Australian Telecommunications Alliance is to create a co-operative stakeholder environment that allows the industry to take the lead on initiatives which grow the Australian communications industry, enhance the connectivity of all Australians and foster the highest standards of business behaviour.
Media information contact:
info@austelco.org.au
