Chariot Internet gets AU$10,000 wrist slap

Announcing the fine on Wednesday, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said Chariot "failed to lodge an eligible revenue return" document as required by the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999.

The fine was issued on 18 January of this year, ACMA said. But it was downplayed by Chariot's managing director Robert Horlin-Smith.

"Basically we were late lodging our return," he told ZDNet Australia . "It was just a mistake, and it was late, so it's basically been paid for and all settled."

ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman

ACMA said all licensed carriers are required to lodge the return each year, as part of the process for determining how much they contributed to the universal service obligation (USO).

The USO is a fund provided to Telstra to ensure all Australians have access to basic telephone services and payphones regardless of where they live.

The regulator's new chairman Chris Chapman -- who took up his role several weeks ago -- said the decision highlighted ACMA's willingness to take action against carriers who failed to meet their regulatory responsibilities.