Background information

Requirement for Review

As part of its recommendations to future proof telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote Australia, the 2002 Regional Telecommunications Inquiry (RTI) recommended that the Australian Government put in place a process to regularly review telecommunications services in these areas and to assess whether important new service advancements were being delivered equitably.

In 2005 the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 (File size: 1.1Mb) was amended to establish the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee (RTIRC) and to ensure regular reviews will be undertaken of the adequacy of the telecommunication services in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia. The amendments required the first review commence before the end of 2008 and subsequent reviews be held three years after the Government responds to the preceding review.

Terms of reference

The terms of reference for the reviews are drawn from Sections 158P and 158Q of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 (File size: 1.1Mb).

Earlier Reviews

In March 2000, the independent Telecommunications Service Inquiry (TSI), chaired by Mr Tim Besley, AC, AO, AM, was established to assess the adequacy of telecommunications services in Australia. Its report to the Government was titled Connecting Regional Australia (File size: 1.7Mb).

On 16 August 2002, the Australian Government announced a further review of telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote Australia. This review was conducted by the RTI committee, chaired by Mr Dick Estens.

The RTI committee was asked to report on the adequacy of telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote Australia and on arrangements that would ensure all Australians continue to share in the benefits of future service improvements and developments in technology. The RTI committee reported to the Australian Government on 8 November 2002.

Further information regarding the Regional Telecommunications Review  is available on the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economys website.