SCOPE OF CHAPTER 6
UNIVERSAL SERVICE OBLIGATIONS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE GUARANTEE
Terms of Reference
Clauses (a), (f), (h) and (i) of the Inquiry's terms of reference relate
to post-1997 regulations consumer protections, public accountability,
and Universal Service Obligations. The details of these references as
set out below, ask:
(a) whether the proposed post 1997 telecommunications regulatory arrangements
outlined in the Government's May 1996 discussion paper provide effective
and adequate consumer protection safeguards;
(h) whether the Universal Service Obligations (USO) are adequately
protected, including:
(i) Directory Assistance;
(ii) untimed local calls; and
(iii) provision of public telephones; and, in particular, the
provision of USO in regional Australia.
(i) whether elements of equity of access, public interest and USO in
terms of telecommunications service beyond simply telephony can be determined,
especially in regard to facsimile data and interactive transmissions;
The Bill
The Bill proposes to amend the Telecommunications Act 1991 to:
- reaffirms that the transfer of part of the Commonwealth's equity in
Telstra will not affect the Universal Service Obligations;