Ministerial exemptions from Parts 7 and 8 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 granted to date

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Level playing field arrangements and exemptions

The Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network—Access Arrangements) Act 2011 provides, among other things, for new level playing field arrangements. This means end users have access to the same kinds of service outcomes available on the NBN, regardless of the network provider.

The Act also provides for the minister to give exemptions (conditional or unconditional) from the level playing field arrangements. This provides the minister with flexibility to deal with circumstances where the application of the level playing obligations would lead to unforeseen and disproportionate consequences. Exemptions may relate to specified networks, specified local access lines or network owners.

The granting of exemptions is a matter for the minister's discretion and any request for an exemption is considered on its merits.

To date, the minister has granted the following exemptions from the level playing field arrangements: