Reform of telecoms carrier powers

The federal government plans to implement reforms to Australia’s telecommunications carrier powers and immunities that promise to deliver benefits worth tens of millions of dollars per year.

After a consultation on the proposed reforms to the carrier powers and immunities, which allow telcos to install and maintain network infrastructure quickly and cost effectively without dealing with protracted approvals processes, the government will immediately implement 10 reforms.

These include increasing the length of a cable or conduit trench that can be open at any time from 100 to 200 metres and increasing the maximum size of solar panels that can be used to power telecoms facilities in rural areas from 7.5 to 12.5 square metres.

The reforms also include changes to definitions designed to provide further clarity for various items and updates to environmental clauses to reflect changes in environmental laws.

The government is also conducting further consultation on 11 additional proposed reforms.

In addition, the government plans to work with telcos and stakeholders to address feedback from the initial consultations covering existing processes for notifications and objections to works, dispute resolution arrangements, guidance for property owners on their rights and avenues for redress, and new post-installation arrangements.

“Industry analysis has estimated that reforms to carrier powers and immunities will deliver economic and productivity benefits to consumers worth tens of millions of dollars per year, as well as providing regulatory cost savings for industry and consumers,” Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield said.

Such reforms have the potential to improve phone and internet service quality and reduce the cost of services for end users, he said.

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