Telstra CDMA switch-off approval closer as 'rectification plan' made public

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Monday, 25 February 2008 12:32

Opinion and Analysis

Telstra’s plans to switch off the nationwide CDMA network still depend on the Australian Federal Minister for Communications “receiving a report that comprehensively addresses [his] concerns”, with Telstra’s rectification plan bringing them a step closer to closure.

The Australian Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has released details of measures that Telstra will take to allow the closure of its CDMA mobile network.

Telstra's proposed rectification plan, available at the Minister's Departmental website, along with an independent audit by a major audit firm, independent verification of the availability of Next G modems and modules, and verification of Telstra’s engineering data by ACMA, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, are all aspects that the Minister will consider prior to approving any CDMA shutdown on the proposed April 28, 2008 date.

Senator Conroy made several statements regarding the release of the new rectification plan, saying that: “Telstra is working towards the deadline of 28 April to turn off the CDMA network and consumers should act on the basis that it will be switched off. This is subject to me a receiving a report that comprehensively addresses my concerns.”

Conroy continued that: “It has been agreed that Telstra will undertake a number of actions to ensure equivalence of coverage and retail service and enable the closure of the CDMA network. Telstra agreed to a number of these actions being independently verified”.

Back on the 18th of January, 10 days before the original CDMA closure date of the 28th of January, 2008, Senator Conroy notified Telstra that “he was not in a position to declare equivalence between the Next G and CDMA networks”.

The Minister identified a number of issues that Telstra was asked to address, including:

- taking all reasonable steps to ensure Next G customers have appropriate handsets for their coverage needs
-providing appropriate advice to customers purchasing Next G handsets and accessories,
- ensuring telemetry and CDMA Wireless Local Loop customers have access to necessary Next G equipment and are given an appropriate time to migrate and
- ensuring there is sufficient equipment available to enable all CDMA customers to migrate to the Next G network.

“I want to congratulate Telstra for the work it has done to date, to ensure these issues are addressed,” Senator Conroy said.

What else did the Minister, Senator Conroy, have to say about Telstra’s compliance and the steps it, and independent verifiers, still need to take before any CDMA closure is authorised? Please read onto page 2.