ACCC extends fixed service review deadline

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 25 February 2009 02:27

IT Industry - Market

Telstra has written to the ACCC requesting an extension until 10 April of the ACCC's deadline of 13 March for submissions to its Fixed Services Review discussion paper.

Telstra argues that it needs time to assess a decision of the full Federal Court on its appeal against an Australian Competition Tribunal ruling that rejected Telstra's WLR and LCS exemption applications and overturned the ACCC's exemption orders granted in August 2008. The Court has indicated that it will hand down its decision by 12 March, with the hearing scheduled for late February.

Telstra argues that: Clearly, the substance and timing of this decision are important to the current declaration inquiries...In particular, the decision may have implications for how one should approach the consideration of regulating and deregulating under Part XIC of the TPA."

Tony Warren, Telstra's executive director regulatory affairs public policy and communications, said Telstra was aware that the current declarations expire on 31 July 2009 and that the ACCC had to publish its final report prior to that date. "However, the extension that we seek is necessary to allow all parties to properly analyse and absorb the Court's decision, and to respond to the matters raised by the Commission in its discussion paper in that light."

Michael Cosgrave, the ACCC's general manager telecommunications,  replied saying he was "not completely convinced of the rationale," but granted an extension until 27 March.