ACCC confirms five year extension for key telco declarations

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today announced it will extend the declarations that enable Telstra's competitors to provide fixed voice and broadband services over Telstra's copper network for a further five years.

The ACCC's decision to extend the declarations will ensure consumers continue to reap the benefits of price and service competition in the sector.

"The ACCC considers there is a need for as much regulatory certainty as possible regarding the access arrangements that apply to the fixed network services for all industry participants," ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today.

The ACCC considers the Government's National Broadband Network, announced in April 2009, will have a major effect on the future telecommunications regulatory environment, particularly in relation to the regulation of the fixed services subject to this declaration review.  A lack of certainty regarding ongoing access in a period of transition could have a significant negative impact on competition and investment by both access providers and access seekers, to the detriment of end users.

With this in mind, the ACCC's has extended each of the six declarations for the full statutory period available. The ACCC is satisfied that sufficient statutory mechanisms exist to review regulation if required at any time, given a change in market conditions or other developments, such as NBN services becoming available.

The final decision will be available on the ACCC website.