The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a record keeping rule requiring 22 specified carriers to report on the locations of their core network and Customer Access Network infrastructure.
Recent ACCC reviews have indicated that a consistent and coherent infrastructure database is needed to further inform the effectiveness and timeliness of future regulatory processes. This includes the assessment of a number of exemptions applications recently lodged by Telstra in relation to existing declared services.
"The ACCC welcomes the significant level of support it has received from carriers regarding the required reporting," ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said.
A number of carriers have indicated that they expect no burden in complying with the rule, as its required reporting format matches their internal record-keeping procedures. The ACCC has also indicated to a further nine carriers that their proposals for alternative reporting formats can be accommodated through the flexibility in reporting provided by the Infrastructure record keeping rule.
The ACCC has also published Telstra's latest exemption application, lodged with the ACCC on 18 December 2007. This is the eighth exemption application in relation to fixed network services lodged by Telstra in the last 6 months.
The latest application relates to exemption from the standard access obligations* for the supply of regulated fixed line services to Optus within Optus' currently deployed HFC cable network footprint in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Telstra's application and supporting materials can be accessed at www.accc.gov.au. The ACCC intends to issue a discussion paper to commence its consultation process on the exemption application.