The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has received a Statement of Expectations from the Government in relation to its work to protect broadband and mobile consumers.
Minister for Communications, Paul Fletcher said the ACCC played a critical role in protecting consumers and encouraging infrastructure investment in the telecommunications industry.
“Our telecommunications regulatory framework aims to deliver outcomes for consumers while supporting industry innovation,” Mr Fletcher said.
“The ACCC has a central role in this framework,” he said.
“The framework includes the use of a Statement of Expectations so that the Government can clearly set out its priorities and perspectives for the independent regulator to take account of as it goes about its work.”
Mr Fletcher said the Statement dealt with issues such as NBN Co’s wholesale prices, business market competition, and spectrum.
He said it communicated the Government’s preference for work to begin on changes to NBN Co’s Special Access Undertaking, with a regard to a pricing model that reflected the costs of building the network and delivering the broadband service.
“The Statement also emphasises the importance of sustainable investment, domestic and international competitiveness, national security, access to services and the efficient deployment of new networks and technologies,” the Minister said.
He said the ACCC was expected to provide a Statement of Intent in response to the Statement of Expectations within three months.
Mr Fletcher’s four-page Statement of Expectations can be accessed at this PS News link.
