ACCAN has made a submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Fixed Services Review (FSR) 2013. The review asked whether access should continue to be 'declared' to Telstra's copper wire services. 'Declaring' a service allows competitors to Telstra, like iiNet, to access the Telstra copper network at the wholesale level and sell those services at retail.
The declaration covers a range of services like access to fixed local and international calls and internet. The aim of the declaration is to limit Telstra from operating a monopoly over telecommunications services by promoting competition at the retail level. It is hoped the declaration will lead to better quality and prices for consumers.
Summary:
ACCAN made the following key recommendations:
- Each of the Fixed Services should be re-declared
- The ACCC should investigate the way providers bundle strategic assets such as IPTV services with their telecommunications products
- The ACCC to consider whether a declaration of Telstra Exchange Building Access (TEBA) or some other associated facilities access service could compel Telstra to take positive steps to ensure a wholesale customer is able to access space in an exchange.
Download: ACCAN Fixed services review submission810.3 KB
Download: ACCAN Fixed services review submission191.03 KB