Proposed disconnection process for FSAM32+30 Jan 2015
On 30 January 2015, the ACCC consented to Telstra’s proposed disconnection arrangements for premises in the Fibre Serving Area Modules number 32 and beyond (FSAM32+).
In making its decision, the ACCC took into account that these arrangements provide a greater level of service continuity to consumers than what is currently set out in the Migration Plan, and that Telstra will shortly submit a variation to the Migration Plan reflecting these arrangements, which will reflect the requirements set out in the Migration Plan Principles. Further, the ACCC did not receive any concerns from industry regarding the arrangements.
Telstra will convey this information to the relevant retail service providers so that they can put in place the necessary arrangements ahead of the first disconnections on 20 February 2015.
Revised approach to managed disconnections
Telstra has developed with NBN Co (and in consultation with government) a revised approach to managed disconnections for premises in FSAM32+.
The arrangements relate to the disconnection process for fixed line services from Telstra’s copper and HFC networks for premises in FSAM32+, which are due to be disconnected from 20 February 2015.
The revised approach has been informed by NBN Co, Telstra and industry’s experience in migrating and disconnecting premises for the first 31 FSAM, which has been occurring since May 2014. Telstra and NBN Co believe the revised approach will provide greater assurance on service continuity for end-users in the migration process—NBN Co will have more time to connect its services to premises before Telstra disconnects them from its networks.
Telstra has advised the ACCC that it intends to shortly submit a formal variation to its Migration Plan reflecting these arrangements. However, as the next disconnection date is imminent, the ACCC has consented to Telstra implementing the new arrangements before a formal variation is submitted to the ACCC and approved.
While the ACCC strongly supports measures that improve service continuity to end-users, the ACCC sought feedback from industry on Telstra’s proposed approach—in particular, whether there would be any unintended consequences from implementing the proposal. The consultation period closed on 16 January 2015 and the ACCC did not receive any concerns from industry.