Industry issues, policies and legislation

Fixed telephone industry information

Here you can find information about a range of matters of particular interest to industry and consumer stakeholders in relation to the supply and regulation of fixed telephone services. In particular, information on issues such as the Universal Service Obligation (USO), the Customer Service Guarantee (CSG), the Network Reliability Framework (NRF) and the quality of service monitoring and reporting for telephone services.

Note that these issues are addressed from an industry perspective. Extensive consumer information is also available on this site.

Legislative framework

The Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Services Standards) Act 1999 provides the regulatory framework for the USO and CSG. USO levies are collected under the Telecommunications (Universal Service Levy) Act 1997. Quality of service monitoring and reporting come under the general provisions of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Act 2005 and the Telecommunications Act 1997.

For flexibility, Australia's telecommunications regulatory regime makes extensive use of subordinate legislation. Relevant primary and subordinate legislation is available here.

Click here for the following information on the Universal Service Obligation.

Relevant industry topics include:

• USO subsidy setting
• USO levy and funding
• 'Eligible Revenue'
• USO Levy Default Mechanism
• Carriage service provider (CSP) funding of the USO
• Customer Service Guarantee (CSG)
• The Network Reliability Framework (NRF)
• Priority assistance for customers with a life-threatening medical condition
• Quality of service monitoring and reporting

On 29 June 2005 the Minister set the USO Subsidies for 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08. The Minister’s announcement can be viewed here.

In June 2004, the Australian Government completed a review of the USO and the CSG,as part of its comprehensive response to the Regional Telecommunications Inquiry (RTI).

For more information on the review and to download a copy of the report please click here.

The Telecommunications Division encourages industry and consumer stakeholders to raise any concerns or issues with the USO, CSG, NRF and quality of service monitoring and reporting arrangements.

• Document ID: 3972 |
• Last modified: 6 February 2008, 12:28pm