Australia - Mobile Communications - Government Policies and Issues

Synopsis

Since the Telecommunications Act of 1996, there has no longer been a regulatory distinction between fixed and mobile operators. However, over the years there have always been issues that were and still are mobile-specific, while issues like access and interconnect pertain to other areas, such as roaming and fixed-to-mobile. In general terms the regulator has taken more of a hands-off approach in mobile than it did in the fixed market and this has favoured the three incumbent players, Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. This report also covers the process and progress of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) and the various health issues related to mobile technologies.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Government regulations
• 3. Termination rates
• 4. Mobile Content
• 5. New licences
• 6. Protection of young customers
• 7. Mobile Number Portability (MNP)
  • 7.1 Introduction
  • 7.2 The MNP system
  • 7.3 Update 2006
• 8. Stolen phones
• 9. Public safety and health issues
  • 9.1 study discounts cellphone-cancer link
  • 9.2 Mobile health risks – analysis
    • 9.2.1 Risks versus benefits
    • 9.2.2 Damage to our DNA?
    • 9.2.3 Social and personal responsibilities
    • 9.2.4 Focus on our young people
  • 9.3 Research has failed to confirm health risks
  • 9.4 Mobiles used to save lives
  • 9.5 EMR Human Exposure Standard – 1996 -1998
  • 9.6 EMR Human Exposure Standard - 2000
  • 9.7 EMR Human Exposure Standard - 2003
  • 9.8 Research projects
    • 9.8.1 Introduction
    • 9.8.2 Study on brain and tumours
    • 9.8.3 Radiofrequency exposure
    • 9.8.4 Mutations in DNA
    • 9.8.5 Electromagnetic fields
    • 9.8.6 First results
    • 9.8.7 Senate Inquiry 2001
    • 9.8.8 Transverse Electro Magnetic Cell device
• 10. Related reports