The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has received notification of three access disputes concerning the charges associated with Telstra's supply of the Line Sharing Service.
The disputes have been notified by Adam Internet Pty Limited, Agile Pty Limited and Amcom Pty Limited respectively under Part XIC of the Trade Practices Act 1974.
The Line Sharing Service involves the transmission of voice telephony services and broadband internet services over the same copper line spectrum. The access provider uses the low frequency part of the spectrum to provide voice telephony services to end-users whilst access seekers may simultaneously use the high frequency part of the spectrum to supply broadband internet services to end-users.
The ACCC has commenced the arbitration process for these access disputes. Given that the legislation contemplates that arbitrations be conducted in private, the ACCC will not be making any public comment at this stage.