Communications Sector Market Study Report Welcomed
Sydney, 30 October 2017 – Australian Telecommunications Alliance today welcomed the pro-competitive stance of the ACCC’s draft Communications Sector Market Study report, released today by the regulator.
The report and its 29 ‘Proposed Actions’ and ‘Proposed Recommendations’ traverse a broad landscape across the current and near future state of telecommunications service provision in Australia.
“We welcome the comprehensive nature of the report and its willingness to explore pro-competitive options in many areas of market structure, service delivery and performance,” Australian Telecommunications Alliance CEO, John Stanton said today.
“Industry will digest the contents of the draft report and provide further feedback to the ACCC, in line with stated process.”
Mr Stanton noted that the proposed recommendation that the Federal Government consider whether NBN Co should continue to be obliged to recover its full cost of investment through its prices was reflective of an active current debate within industry and the broader community.
“Without commenting on the respective merits of potential actions to achieve this, the objective of providing NBN Co with ‘greater flexibility regarding its cost recovery’ is certainly an issue worth exploring,” Mr Stanton said.
He noted the ACCC’s belief that the Australian Telecommunications Alliance Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code could be augmented to address “a wide range of consumer issues in light of the increasing prevalence of NBN telecommunications offers.”
“The TCP Code is under revision at present and is the subject of wide-ranging consultation with stakeholders, including the ACCC.”
“The Code already specifies how service providers must act and behave when they offer services to consumers – including services offered on NBN-based networks. Nonetheless, the Working Committee undertaking the revision remains open to additional ideas and is already considering provisions that may warrant inclusion in a revised Code, as well as provisions that might no longer be relevant,” Mr Stanton concluded.
ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS ALLIANCE
Australian Telecommunications Alliance is the primary communications industry body in Australia. Its membership is drawn from a wide cross-section of the communications industry, including carriers, carriage and internet service providers, content providers, platform providers, equipment vendors, IT companies, consultants and business groups.
Its vision is to be the most influential association in Australian communications, co-operatively initiating programs that promote sustainable industry development, innovation and growth, while generating positive outcomes for customers and society.
The prime mission of Australian Telecommunications Alliance is to create a co-operative stakeholder environment that allows the industry to take the lead on initiatives which grow the Australian communications industry, enhance the connectivity of all Australians and foster the highest standards of business behaviour.
Media information contact:
info@austelco.org.au
