Carriers again unleash ACCC against Telstra over ULL access

User Rating: / 2
PoorBest 

by Stephen Withers

Wednesday, 09 July 2008

Page 1 of 2 ! Macquarie Telecom and Optus Networks have each notified the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) of access disputes with Telstra concerning the unconditioned local loop service (ULLS). Even though the ACCC recently made final determinations in 18 access disputes, an astounding 35 are still being arbitrated. Related stories Telstra's UK 'expert' all "false assumptions and bias" says T4 Optus: Telstra “threatened” by our rapid network expansion Should you fly the capped mobile broadband skies with iPrimus? Telstra challenges “ludicrous” Optus to get “independent audit” 'Pay by phone' gets new meaning with Visa trial ULLS is an arrangement that allows a carrier to gain use of the line between an exchange and the customer's premises without the inclusion of any carriage services. This allows carriers other than Telstra to provide voice and data services to customers, using the carrier's equipment at the exchange instead of wholesaling Telstra services. For example, such an arrangement can be used to offer 'naked DSL' (DSL service without a normal voice service also being delivered on the same line) to customers, typically in association with a VoIP service. Essentially, the other carrier rents the copper pair from Telstra. The Macquarie dispute relates to monthly rental and connection charges, while the Optus matter concerns the terms and conditions for interconnection at exchanges that Telstra classifies as 'racks capped', 'rack and MDF capped' and 'potential'. The arbitration process for these disputes has begun, but according to ACCC officials "Given that the legislation contemplates that arbitrations be conducted in private, the ACCC will not be making any public comment at this stage concerning these particular arbitrations." These two new disputes were notified to the ACCC less than a week after the commission revealed six others between Telstra and Primus, Optus, XYZed, Request, PowerTel and Chime, all concerning ULLS rental, connection and other charges. CONTINUED << First page <   1 2 Next page > Last page - Post your comment >>

 

< Next story in category		Previous story in the category >