Government foreshadows major telecoms regulation reform

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 07 April 2009 06:50

IT Industry - Strategy

Despite these rules carriers have frequently been frustrated by the needs for consultation, especially when trying to install cellular network base stations, and it is anticipated that similar problems could arise especially if attempts are made to string fibre from power poles However the discussion paper gives no details as to how a new regime might operate.

(In the mid 1990s when Optus and Telstra were racing each other down the same suburban streets with their HFC rollouts the opposition from councils was at times ferocious.)

The Government is also proposing that it be mandatory for all greenfield developments approved after 1 July 2010 to be equipped with FTTH rather than copper telecoms networks.

As part of its NBN RFP process the Government consulted on the regulatory arrangements that should apply and received 82 submissions from a wide range of stakeholders.

In his introduction to this week's discussion paper, communications minister, Stephen Conroy said: "The overwhelming message from almost every submitter was that the current regime does not work effectively to achieve its goals, and that it is failing businesses and consumers."

He says the key options for reform include:

- streamlining access regulation processes, by allowing the ACCC to set up-front access terms for companies wanting access to Telstra and other networks;
- strengthening the powers of the ACCC to tackle anti-competitive conduct by allowing it to impose binding rules of conduct when issuing competition notices;
- promoting greater competition across the industry, including measures to better address Telstra's vertical integration, such as functional separation;
- addressing competition and investment issues arising from horizontal integration of fixed-line and cable networks, and telecommunications and media assets;
-improving universal access arrangements for telephony and payphones, and
- introducing more effective rules requiring telephone companies to make connections and repairs within set time-frames.

The Government is seeking comments by 9 June.