Survey finds consumers want regulatory change: CCC

Staff Writers
Wednesday, 28 October 2009 13:52

IT Policy - Government Tech Policy

Competitive carriers have turned up the pressure on Senators not to delay the passage of Government's telecommunications reforms, releasing survey results that they say demonstrate support for the measures among regional Australians.

An Auspoll survey of consumers in regional New South Wales and Queensland commissioned by Optus and the Competitive Carriers Coalition found consumers wanted Government to put their interests ahead of those of Telstra shareholders in the current debate.

Asked if government should give more consideration to telecommunications customers of Telstra shareholders, 95 per cent of the sample said consumers should come first.

And on the specific question of whether Telstra’s wholesale and retail businesses should be separated to create a level playing field, 61 per cent favoured the policy.

"Regional Australians are also well aware of the power of competition to lift the standards of services – 64 percent said they believed Telstra would improve its own performance if it faced more competition," CCC executive director David Forman said.
 
On whether proposed regulatory reforms should be delayed or not, the CCC said the survey found 49 per cent in favour of its passage now and 26 favouring a delay.

"This survey is a powerful message to Senators presently being asked to consider the Government's legislation to promote telecommunications competition," Optus corporate and government affairs director Maha Krishnapillai said.