Project overview

Industry

Status

In December 2005 the ACCC initiated an inquiry to examine the future regulation of certain key fixed network and wholesale services.

On 15 July 2009 the ACCC issued a final decision in relation to a combined public declaration inquiry under section 152AL of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) (now the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (the Act) for the six fixed-line services expiring on July 31 2009.

The ACCC’s final decision was to extend the declaration of each of the six fixed-line services for a period of five years until 31 July 2014.

Timeline

In making its decision, the ACCC considered there was a need for as much regulatory certainty as possible regarding the access arrangements that apply to the fixed-line services. The ACCC extended each of the six fixed-line declarations for the full statutory period available. The ACCC was 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 National Broadband Network services becoming available.

At the commencement of the public inquiry the ACCC also determined to combine the declaration review with the inquiry into the variation of the ULLS service description, which was suspended in April 2008. The ACCC’s final decision was that it was not satisfied that varying the ULLS service description at that time would promote the long-term interests of end users.

Any questions about the declaration inquiry should be directed to Simon Haslock at simon.haslock@accc.gov.au or 03 9290 6919 in the first instance.

Related projects

Local services review 2005

Fixed network & local services pricing principles & indicative prices 2006-2007

LSS declaration inquiry 2007

ULLS pricing principles 2007