Fay Holthuyzen named ACOMM Ambassador 2019

Two-time Independent Chair of the Telecommunications Consumer Protection (TCP) Code review Fay Holthuyzen has been named Australian Communications Ambassador 2019 at the Communications Alliance Awards.

The former Deputy Secretary of the Federal Department of Communications won the award for her contribution to Australian telecommunications policy, industry co-regulation and the protection of Australian communications consumers.

“It is a daunting assignment, trying to pull together the views of consumer representatives, regulators, industry and the general public and create a consensus on how best to protect the interests of consumers, while retaining a workable commercial environment that promotes innovation, improved customer outcomes and ethical business practices,” Communications Alliance CEO John Stanton said of the review process.

“The task demands skillful navigation across a landscape that takes account of technical and business process issues as well as a vast array of vital human considerations, including the needs of vulnerable customers and less advantaged individuals throughout Australian society.

“During the two major revisions of the Code since 2011, Fay has shown masterful analytical and diplomatic skills — along with huge amounts of patience and perseverance — and has produced outstanding outcomes on both occasions,” Stanton concluded.

Telstra won the “Innovation – Large Company” award for its Track and Monitor solution that can help businesses track moving assets, reduce costs and improve customer experience, while Meshed IoT received the “Internet of Things Start Up” award for its 100% private and Australian owned company that provides IoT networks and operations and maintenance services for Australia and New Zealand’s government, water, research and building and construction sectors.

Speedcast’s SIGMA Gateway — which can manage global VSAT, L-band, Fleet Xpress, 4G/LTE, Wi-Fi and MSS services and provide automated and efficient management of multiple secured WAN links — earned the company the “Vendor Innovation Award”.

Other award winners include:

• Southern Phone — “Innovation – SME” – for its Next Home Phone product that aims to eliminate stress, pressure and confusion experienced by senior Australians during the copper disconnection as part of the nbn rollout.
• Aussie Broadband — “Commitment to Customer Service” – for its “Making it easy” initiative.
• Vodafone Hutchison Australia — “Best Mobile Solution” – for its market-first handset plans.
• Telstra Foundation — “Community Contribution” – for its IDX Flint Program, which, in conjunction with the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island youth, community leaders and Elders opportunities to explore digital technology.
• NBN Co — “Community Contribution” – for going above and beyond to keep the Townsville community connected during the floods and providing a lifeline at a time when lives were at extreme risk.
• Pivotel Satellite and Farmbot Australia — “Satellite Provider of the Year Award” – for Farmbot water monitoring solutions’ incorporation of Pivotel’s satellite technology.
• Cisco — “Best Marketing Initiative” – for its 2019 Cisco Live annual customer and partner conference, held in Melbourne in March 2019.
• King and Wood Mallesons — “Services to the Industry, Professional Services” – for providing “commercially astute and technically excellent” telecommunications legal advice.
   

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