Regional telecommunications review report tabled in Parliament

The Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee welcomes the tabling of the Regional Telecommunications Review report by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy in Parliament today.

The report was presented to the Minister on 5 September after the Committee, led by Dr Bill Glasson AO, engaged in an extensive consultation process encompassing 20 locations across regional, rural and remote parts of Australia and received more than 200 written submissions from all levels of government, industry and the general public.

The main issues raised were the adequacy of mobile telecommunications in regional Australia, the importance of access to broadband services, and the adequacy of the current Universal Service Obligation.

A key element of the report is the proposal of a new regulatory framework that would replace the current Universal Service Obligation framework and would make provisions for guaranteed access to broadband and mobile services to all Australians.

"The Committee has presented to Government a report that we think accurately reflects the views of regional Australians we heard and read during our consultations," Dr Glasson said.

"We wanted the report to highlight the pivotal role that telecommunications play in the economic and social development of regional Australia."

"While the report is relevant to today's telecommunications issues, the Committee hopes that the report outlines a framework for the future that will have long term benefits for all regional Australians."

Under the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999, the Australian Government has six months from receipt of the report to prepare a response to the report's recommendations.

"I look forward to seeing the Government's response to the report and would like to thank all those that took the time to put their views forward to the Committee, either through a written submission, or by attending one of the public meetings," Dr Glasson said.

The report is available online at www.rtirc.gov.au or by calling the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy on free call 1800 064 851.

Media contact: Dr Bill Glasson (Chair): phone 0427 757 375