Fletcher issues statement of expectations to ACCC

Communications Minister Paul Fletcher has published a statement laying his expectations for the ACCC during its work to protect broadband and mobile consumers and encourage infrastructure investment in the telecommunications industry.

The statement of expectations covers areas including NBN Co’s wholesale prices, business market competition and spectrum.

As part of the statement, Fletcher spelled out the government’s request that the ACCC work on changes to NBN Co’s special access undertaking for the nbn to allow for the introduction of a pricing model that reflects the costs of building the network.

The statement also urges the ACCC to facilitate sustainable investment, domestic and international competitiveness, national security, access to services and the efficient deployment of new networks and technologies.

“My policies and priorities for the telecommunications sector [also] include facilitating consumer access to affordable and reliable communications services, irrespective of where consumers live or work,” the statement adds.

It expresses a preference that “the ACCC keep regulation and intervention to a minimum except where a clear market failure has developed”.

The ACCC has also been instructed to inform the Minister prior to any significant regulation or intervention in the telecommunications markets.

The ACCC will now be expected to provide a statement of intent in response to Fletcher’s own statement within three months.

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