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ACCC begins consultation on regulated access to wholesale telecommunications services
[May 23, 2014]

ACCC begins consultation on regulated access to wholesale telecommunications services


(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has today released a consultation paper seeking views on non-price terms of access for the regulated fixed line services supplied using Telstra's copper network, and the regulated transmission and mobile termination services.



The ACCC has decided to consult separately on setting non-price terms for the regulated services, given the number of complex pricing issues covered by the ACCC's current telecommunications access inquiries.

This consultation is part of the ACCC's inquiries into making final access determinations (FADs) that set a range of regulated terms for the seven regulated fixed line services, the domestic transmission capacity service (DTCS) and mobile terminating access service (MTAS). The three inquiries will determine regulated prices and other access terms that will apply when access providers and access seekers cannot reach agreement through commercial negotiations.


"The regulated services are used by telecommunications companies to provide retail voice and broadband services to many Australians," said ACCC Commissioner Cristina Cifuentes.

"In addition to paying reasonable access prices, it is important that access seekers can get efficient and timely access to the regulated services, as this will promote competition and benefit consumers." Given the range and complexity of issues covered by the three FAD inquiries, the ACCC has decided to consult separately on setting the primary prices for the regulated services (which include the monthly or annual access charges and usage charges) and on setting non-price terms and other charges incurred in using the regulated services (such as connection charges). The ACCC expects to release separate discussion papers on the primary price issues for the three FAD inquiries shortly.

In addition, the ACCC is now seeking further information on issues regarding access to telecommunication infrastructure facilities, which were raised in the ACCC's declaration inquiries for the fixed line services and DTCS. In its final decisions on these inquiries, the ACCC indicated that it would be more effective and timely to consider these issues in its FAD inquiries.

The ACCC is seeking submissions by 15 July 2014.

The ACCC has now formally commenced the FAD inquiries for the DTCS and MTAS.

More information on the consultation into non-price terms and other charges, including information on how to lodge a submission, is available on the Non-Price Terms and Conditions webpage .

Further information on the DTCS FAD inquiry is available on the DTCS webpage .

Further information on the MTAS FAD inquiry is available on the MTAS webpage .

Release number: 124/14 Media enquiries: Media team - 1300 138 917 .

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