Introduction The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is holding a public inquiry about the declaration of the fixed line services. This declaration inquiry is part of the overall review of the fixed line services (fixed services review). The fixed services review will involve: the declaration inquiry to which this discussion paper relates, and an inquiry into the final access determinations (FADs) for those services. Background The current declarations for six fixed line services (listed in section 1.1 of this discussion paper) will expire on 31 July 2014. During the 18 month period preceding this expiry date, the ACCC is required to conduct a public inquiry to determine whether the existing declarations should be extended, revoked, varied, allowed to expire or re-made. The ACCC has commenced a public inquiry into the declarations for these services pursuant to section 152ALA(7)(a) of the (CCA). Competition and Consumer Act 2010 The ACCC will also consider whether it should commence a declaration inquiry in relation to any fixed line services not presently declared. The ACCC can combine two or more public inquiries about proposals to declare services under section 152AN of the CCA. The ACCC has decided to combine the public inquiries for the six declared fixed line services listed in section 1.2 of this discussion paper. This discussion paper identifies issues relevant to the six declared fixed line services. Scope of this declaration inquiry In its final decision on the 2009 declaration review, the ACCC declared the following services: unconditioned local loop service (ULLS) line sharing service (LSS) local carriage service (LCS) wholesale line rental (WLR) service public switched telephone network originating access (PSTN OA) service, and public switched telephone network terminating access (PSTN TA) service. In February 2012, the ACCC declared the wholesale asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) service. While the wholesale ADSL service is a fixed line service, the declaration of this service does not expire until February 2017. Since the 2009 declaration of the fixed line services, significant changes have taken place in the communications sector as a result of technological developments, changes in consumer demand, policy settings, and industry consolidation. The ACCC will undertake a comprehensive review of the implications of these industry changes for regulation of fixed line services. The regulation of certain other fixed line services is being addressed through separate regulatory process and do not, therefore, fall within the scope of this declaration inquiry.
Introduction The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is holding a public inquiry about the declaration of the fixed line services. This declaration inquiry is part of the overall review of the fixed line services (fixed services review). The fixed services review will involve: the declaration inquiry to which this discussion paper relates, and an inquiry into the final access determinations (FADs) for those services. Background The current declarations for six fixed line services (listed in section 1.1 of this discussion paper) will expire on 31 July 2014. During the 18 month period preceding this expiry date, the ACCC is required to conduct a public inquiry to determine whether the existing declarations should be extended, revoked, varied, allowed to expire or re-made. The ACCC has commenced a public inquiry into the declarations for these services pursuant to section 152ALA(7)(a) of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (CCA). The ACCC will also consider whether it should commence a declaration inquiry in relation to any fixed line services not presently declared. The ACCC can combine two or more public inquiries about proposals to declare services under section 152AN of the CCA. The ACCC has decided to combine the public inquiries for the six declared fixed line services listed in section 1.2 of this discussion paper. This discussion paper identifies issues relevant to the six declared fixed line services. Scope of this declaration inquiry In its final decision on the 2009 declaration review, the ACCC declared the following services: unconditioned local loop service (ULLS) line sharing service (LSS) local carriage service (LCS) wholesale line rental (WLR) service public switched telephone network originating access (PSTN OA) service, and public switched telephone network terminating access (PSTN TA) service. In February 2012, the ACCC declared the wholesale asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) service. While the wholesale ADSL service is a fixed line service, the declaration of this service does not expire until February 2017. Since the 2009 declaration of the fixed line services, significant changes have taken place in the communications sector as a result of technological developments, changes in consumer demand, policy settings, and industry consolidation. The ACCC will undertake a comprehensive review of the implications of these industry changes for regulation of fixed line services. The regulation of certain other fixed line services is being addressed through separate regulatory process and do not, therefore, fall within the scope of this declaration inquiry.
Fixed%20Services%20Review%20-%20Declaration%20Inquiry%20-%20Discussion%20Paper%20-%20July%202013.DOCX