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The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) anticipates that this year’s change of administration will pave the way for a review of the rules governing the telecoms sector.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) deputy chair Delia Rickard stressed that telecommunications regulations need to be updated.
“Not fit for purpose,” said the deputy chair who believes that much of the regulations around telcos are now outdated.
Rickard said, “It isn’t providing the right incentives in the 21st century.”
When the telecommunications sector was opened to competition in the 1990s, the regulatory framework was designed with an eye on attracting participants to the market and lowering entry barriers.
“The focus needs to shift to ensure the right players are in the market, and that the crooks are out,” said the deputy chair.
She claimed that since there are “well over 1000 providers,” luring competitors should no longer determine regulatory policy.
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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, and ACCAN all concur that the current regulatory system is deficient.
The three organisations likewise believe that “the framework isn’t fit for purpose”, citing the three bodies’ submissions to the government’s 2020 Consumer Safeguards Review consultation – Part C.
As “the bulk of consumer protections are in codes written by the industry,” Rickard also stressed the need for improvement in consumer protection.
According to Rickard, the deficiency limits the ACMA’s ability to swiftly regulate carrier and service provider behavior.
She emphasised that the ACMA requires more authority to take action directly against providers who violate the law.
Rickard also pushed the necessity for “a basic right to be connected” in a world where government services will eventually be “100% online.”
You may also want to read: Report finds 5.6M Aussies without video streaming access (commsroom.co)
Jaw de Guzman is the content producer for Comms Room, a knowledge platform and website aimed at assisting the communications industry and its professionals.
