Australia - Telecoms Industry - Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)

Synopsis

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) was established in 1995 and then given responsibility for competition regulation of the telecommunications industry in 1997. This report profiles the organisation and its responsibilities concerning the telecommunications markets. The particular responsibilities under Parts XIB and XIC of the Trade Practices Act for anti-competitive conduct and access issues, respectively, are presented here. A full list of declared services, competition notices and access determinations relating to the telecommunications sector is included.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Overview
• 3. The ACCC Telecommunications Group role
  • 3.1 Parts XIB and XIC of the Trade Practices Act 1974
    • 3.1.1 Part XIB anti-competitive conduct
    • 3.1.2 Part XIC access powers
  • 3.2 General telecommunications powers
• 4. ACCC activities
  • 4.1 Recent developments
  • 4.2 Access disputes
    • 4.2.1 Revised analogue pay TV access undertakings - 2003/04
  • 4.3 Accounting separation and corporate competition
  • 4.4 Recent disputes
    • 4.4.1 Broadband pricing
  • 4.5 Declared services s152
  • 4.6 Previous arbitrations: Analogue Subscription Broadcast Carriage Service
  • 4.7 Matters finalised
  • Exhibit 1 - Current arbitrations
  • Exhibit 2 - Matters finalised
  • Exhibit 3 – Parts XIB and XIC Declared services, Competition Notices, and Access Determinations