On 3 June 2015, the ACCC issued two requests for further information regarding some matters raised in the fixed line services FAD inquiry and seeking updated information to assist it in its assessment for its final decision. The ACCC wrote to access seekers requesting information in relation to fibre-based DTCS tails, mobile EFTPOS and Wholesale ADSL. This request was issued to:
- Macquarie Telecom
- MyNetFone Group
- M2 Telecommunications Group
- Optus
- Thomson Geer (on behalf of iiNet)
- TPG Telecom Group
- Vodafone.
The ACCC requested that this information be provided by 19 June 2015.
The ACCC also wrote to Telstra requesting updated data on the services in operation for a number of wholesale and retail fixed line services in CBD areas.
The ACCC requested that this information be provided by 7 August 2015.
ACCC request for further information
Responses from access seekers
| Document title | Published date |
|---|---|
| Optus’ response to request for further information - 22 June 2015 ( PDF 87.39 KB ) | 24 June 2015 |
| iiNet response to request for further information - 23 June 2015 ( PDF 123.64 KB ) | 24 June 2015 |
| M2 response to request for further information - 23 June 2015 ( PDF 88.86 KB ) | 24 June 2015 |
Confidential information
The ACCC received confidential responses from iiNet, Optus and M2. An overview of the responses received is shown below by stakeholder, along with a designated contact person.
iiNet
iiNet response to request for further information - 19 June 2015 – confidential version.pdf
David Ohri
Senior Associate, Thomson Geer
03 9641 8925
dohri@tglaw.com.au
Optus
Optus’ response to request for further information - 22 June 2015 – confidential version.pdf
Luke Van Hooft
Manager, Economic Regulation
Corporate and Regulatory Affairs
02 8082 6454
Luke.vanHooft@optus.com.au
M2
M2 response to request for further information - 23 June 2015 – confidential version.pdf
Jeremy Zwaigoft
Legal Counsel
03 9674 6442
Jeremy.Zwaigoft@m2.com.au
The ACCC has also received confidential responses from AAPT and Vodafone, however, they have not provided the ACCC with public versions of their responses. A description of the responses received is shown below by stakeholder, along with a designated contact person.
AAPT
AAPT’s response to request for further information – 30 June 2015 – confidential version.pdf
Danet Khuth
Corporate Counsel
02 9009 9928
Danet.Khuth@tpgtelecom.com.au
Vodafone
Vodafone’s response to request for further information – 24 June 2015 – confidential version.pdf
Sean Alexander
Head of Industry Strategy
0406 428 023
sean.alexander@vodafone.com.au
Response from Telstra
| Document title | Published date |
|---|---|
| Telstra’s response to request for further information – 11 August 2015 ( PDF 408.99 KB ) | 14 August 2015 |
Additional inquiries regarding EFTPOS services
Due to the limited information stakeholders were able to provide in relation to the use of mobile and IP-based EFTPOS, the ACCC has contacted a number of financial institutions to obtain information as to what they offer in terms of fixed, mobile and IP-based EFTPOS, and the EFTPOS needs of their business customers. (The ACCC notes that Telstra also suggested, in its submission of 11 August 2015 (above), that the ACCC contact financial institutions to obtain information in relation to these matters).
Based on the ACCC’s inquiries, it appears most banks offer all three types of EFTPOS and some banks are encouraging new customers to transition from WLR-based or ‘dial-up’ EFTPOS to mobile EFTPOS using 3G, with little or no price differential between fixed and mobile EFTPOS solutions supplied by those banks.
Information provided to the ACCC also indicates that mobile EFTPOS might not be a practical option for some customers, especially retail outlets. For these customers, a WLR-based fixed EFTPOS solution would appear to be a practical choice as their customers come to a fixed point of sale to make purchases. One financial institution also offered a lower terminal rental price for its WLR-based EFTPOS solution compared to its rental price for mobile EFTPOS terminals. The ACCC understands from information from this institution that IP-based EFTPOS would only be suitable for some businesses such as supermarkets and fast food restaurants, which have high foot traffic, and that they may not be a close substitute due to switching costs associated with buying the systems and software to support IP-based EFTPOS.
If parties wish to make additional submissions on these matters, submissions should be provided by no later than 5:00pm Friday 21 August 2015.
Submissions
| Document title | Published date |
|---|---|
| Telstra's response to additional inquiry - 21 August 2015 ( PDF 222.69 KB ) | 25 August 2015 |