ATUG had a great discussion this week in Canberra on regional communications. Weighing heavy on all our minds was the RFP for the NBN and what this means for regional users. Some thoughts which were developed from the conference are below.
Competing Networks
There was overwhelming support for the concept of infrastructure competition as a means to ensure effective service competition and end user choice. The current focus on the need for multiple competitors in the Supermarket sector and also in the Banking industry are compelling examples of what is considered to be necessary to bring about effective competition and end user choice. End users will expect the Government to spell out a competitive policy for telecommunications in the Fibre Future.
Facilitating Deployment
The cost of an FTTP network can be significantly reduced using low input overhead cable – from $3000 to $500. ATUG supports the development of this idea as it goes to Affordability, a key requirement of the Fibre Future especially if that future is foist upon end users. The approach, if feasible, may need new Carrier Immunities and Powers rules. Skills issues and quality of work also need to addressed to meet the five year timeframe laid down by Government. The use of existing Government infrastructure will also need to be factored into planning to ensure affordability and timely deployment. Continuing cross jurisdictional efforts – at National Online and Communications Council and beyond at COAG – will be necessary to achieve real outcomes here. The conference discussed an “outside in” approach to the Fibre deployment to secure the benefits early for regional users and to minimize the risk of stranded assets.
Australian Broadband Guarantee
The new scheme as outlined was welcomed by Conference participants. DBCDE was very open to discussions with industry players and end users about the DRAFT Guidelines and the registration processes over coming weeks. ATUG is pleased to see a technology neutral approach and will be making a submission by the deadline of 28th May.
Wholesale Markets
In cases where competing networks are not economically efficient, an 'effective' wholesale market must be created where all service providers including those related to the network provider must have available to them a range of wholesale services which meet a robust and comprehensive 'equivalence' specification covering both price and non price terms and conditions. Work needs to be done by industry in developing the model, systems, processed and procedures to make the concept of equivalence and effective tool for increased user choice.
Affordability and Quality
A comprehensive service specification, setting out all relevant service characteristics of all services being offered by each provider including Quality of Service characteristics is an absolute requirement for properly informed choice by end users. Evidence to date suggests that end users do not have much confidence in the service information supplied by service providers nor the service support delivered after sale. Regulator monitoring and sample testing is essential if reasonable outcomes are to be delivered.
Tolerance
While the concept of 'pre competitive' cooperation between industry players continues to be an essential foundation element of the 'industry self regulation' concept established in 1997, today it may be that new concepts of ‘equivalence’ and 'tolerance' as fundamentals of industry culture may be a better approach. The rebirth of an effective industry Alternate Disputes Resolution system is essential. The level of industry disputation at present is in no ones interest.
Presentations from the conference are available on the ATUG website www.atug.com.au
