Industry Welcomes Government Move to Facilitate an Industry-Based Scheme to Manage Telephone Numbering
Sydney, 2 December 2015 – Australian Telecommunications Alliance today welcomed the introduction to Federal Parliament of legislation that paves the way for a transition to an industry-managed telephone numbering management framework in Australia.
The Communications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation and Other Measures) Bill 2015 and consequent legislation would create a ‘heads of power’ that – subject to conditions being met – can be used to move the management of numbering away from the regulator and into the hands of industry.
“This is a sensible deregulatory reform, toward which industry has been working with Government for some time,” Australian Telecommunications Alliance CEO, John Stanton, said today.
“Similar arrangements have worked well in other countries, generating more agile, cost-effective and dynamic systems for managing numbering – to the benefit of consumers and industry alike.”
“Australian Telecommunications Alliance and its members are working on the detail of how an industry-managed scheme should best be structured and operated.
“When this work is completed in the near future we will release a detailed proposal and undertake consultation with all interested stakeholders, to help finalise the proposition.”
Mr Stanton commended the Minister for Communications & the Arts, Senator the Hon. Mitch Fifield and his Department for bringing forward the platform for the reform. He particularly acknowledged the valuable collaborative work undertaken with industry by the former Parliamentary Secretary for Communications, (and now Minister for Major Projects, Territories and Local Government) the Hon. Paul Fletcher MP, to formulate the original proposal.
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
