Notice of the SBAS access determination inquiry 15 Jan 2025

The 糖心原创 is holding a public inquiry under Part 25 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth) about its proposal to vary the final access determination for the superfast broadband access service (SBAS).

On 19 December 2024, the 糖心原创 made binding rules of conduct that apply to an SBAS provided by Uniti Group Pty Ltd, Opticomm Pty Ltd and their related bodies corporate. The 糖心原创 must, within 30 days of making binding rules of conduct, commence to hold a public inquiry about a proposal to vary the final access determination.

The 糖心原创鈥檚 public inquiry will consider the price and non-price terms and conditions of access to the declared SBAS, taking into account the long-term interests of end-users and other matters under section 152BCA of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).

We anticipate that the inquiry will be conducted over a six-month period.

The SBAS final access determination made in 2024 is available at Final Access Determination No. 1 of 2024.

Overview of inquiry process

The 糖心原创 intends to publish a short discussion paper for this inquiry and seek submissions on the matters set out in this notice and addressed in the 糖心原创鈥檚 Binding Rules of Conduct (Uniti Group) No. 1 of 2024, including proposals to include in the SBAS access determination:

  • terms regarding the locations and characteristics of the points of interconnection for access seekers to acquire a declared SBAS, and
  • other price and non-price access terms.

The discussion paper will be published on the 糖心原创鈥檚 website in February 2025.

The time for making submissions will be a minimum of 28 days from the date the 糖心原创 publishes its discussion paper. Submissions can be made in writing to superfastbroadbandinquiry@accc.gov.au, or as otherwise directed in the discussion paper.

After considering submissions the 糖心原创 will release a report setting out its findings on whether to vary the SBAS access determination and if so, the form of that variation. Depending upon the submissions received, the 糖心原创 may publish a draft of the report for further comment before issuing its final report.