Southern Phone’s response to the bushfire emergency that devastated communities across the South East of Australia has been recognised at this year's ACOMM Awards, with the regionally based company winning the Community Contribution Award for 2020.
Southern Phone’s innovative and ‘’hands-on’’ approach to the crisis which included: crediting usage fees for over 7,000 customers, firefighters and SES volunteers; providing internet access with battery backup capability at local emergency evacuation centres; and in partnership with AGL, a $100,000 donation to assist communities and animal welfare organisations; placed them ahead of other finalists including Optus and NBN Co Limited, to take out the top award which recognises a company that goes above and beyond to help a community in a time of need.
CEO of Southern Phone, David Joss, said the award recognised the hard work and unity of his team and their ongoing commitment to regional Australia.
’We are immensely proud to have won the ACOMM award for Community Contribution based on our response to the bushfires this year,” Mr Joss said.
The bushfires were a horrific time in so many ways, but the way we stood up as a team and united is something that I’ll never forget and always be proud of.”
Mr Joss went on to say, “Supporting regional Australian communities is at the core of everything we do at Southern Phone.”
“The bushfires placed us in the centre of this crisis, and we are proud to be recognised for our initiatives on the frontline and the tangible difference it has made to the community in their time of need."
The ACOMM Awards is the premier telecoms awards event in Australia. This year's awards took place in a Virtual Showcase event on 10 September, featuring keynote addresses from the Federal Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, The Hon. Paul Fletcher MP and the Shadow Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland MP.
At the event, Communications Alliance CEO John Stanton said, “The ACOMM Awards represent the pinnacle of achievement for the Australian communications industry and I congratulate all the winners and finalists in the 2020 ACOMMS."
It is not the first time Southern Phone has been recognised by ACOMM. In 2019 Southern Phone’s unique phone-only solution for seniors, Next Home Phone was awarded top place in the Innovation-SME category. The company also won the prestigious “Commitment to Customer Service” award in 2016.
About Southern Phone
Now a subsidiary of AGL, Southern Phone is a leading regional provider of fixed line, mobile and internet services to around 100,000 customers around the nation. The company is based in Moruya (NSW) and employs more than 135 staff.