ACCC to review backhaul declaration
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has begun an inquiry into whether the declaration of Domestic Transmission Capacity Service (DTCS) is still needed beyond its expiration on March 31, 2019.
The use of non-regulated backhaul, industry consolidation, and NBN plans for business customers were raised by the watchdog as areas it will look at.
"It is important to review the scope of our regulation to determine whether the way in which we describe the regulated service adequately reflects the manner in which transmission services are currently being sold and purchased," ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said on Monday.
"If the market has changed to a significant extent, we will examine whether other service features should be included in the service description."
When last declared in March 2014, the ACCC said at least three independent backhaul providers needed to be present at an exchange for it to be considered competitive.
Sims said the new inquiry would look at competition at NBN points of interconnect (POI), and whether backhaul for mobile service in regional and rural areas should be considered separately.
According to a discussion paper also released on Monday, of the 121 NBN POIs, 46 are in exchanges currently regulated.
"While the market dynamics are constantly evolving it remains likely that there will be a need to maintain some DTCS regulation in areas where competition is less developed," the paper said.
Interested parties have until April 13, 2018 to make a submission to the inquiry.
Related Coverage
Video streaming drives new Telstra investment in ADSL backhaul
The NBN could be arriving any time in the next four years for customers, but Telstra is set to upgrade its ADSL backhaul.
MWC 2018: T-Mobile announces 5G for 30 cities
T-Mobile's multi-spectrum strategy puts it in a better position to deliver 5G than its competitors, the company has claimed, with Ericsson and Nokia delivering its solutions.
Is 5G the missing link for autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and a brave new world?
We may have hit peak 5G hype before 5G is actually available. But is 5G really a game changer?
5G will complement NBN, not replace it: Nokia
5G will not replace Australia's NBN, according to Nokia's head of Fixed Networks, as fixed-line technology upgrade paths will enable faster speeds sooner than wireless, and with greater download allowances.
5G mobile networks: A cheat sheet (TechRepublic)
As LTE networks become increasingly saturated, mobile network operators are planning for the 5G future. Here is what business professionals and mobile users need to know about 5G.