Footnotes

[1] Journals of the Senate, 16 October 2003, p. 2591

[2] Government response tabled after the adjournment of the Senate on 25 June 2004.

[3] While investment in new technology is almost constant, IP1 Australia Pty Ltd, operator of a long-haul fibre optic broadband network between Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth was placed into receivership, and subsequently purchased by Telstra during the Committee's inquiry.

[4] The material in this section of the report on the history of telecommunications regulation in Australia is largely drawn from: Department of Communications, Information Technology and Arts, Liberalisation of the telecommunications sector Australia's experience.

[5] Under section 51(v) of the Constitution.

[6] Part 13 of the Telecommunications Act 1991 provided for the assessment, collection, recovery and distribution of the universal service levy imposed by the Telecommunications (Universal Service Levy) Act 1991 to cover the costs of providing the universal service obligation.

[7] See Appendix 6 for details of this and related inquiries.

[8] Most recently, the Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2003 [No. 2] was negatived at the second reading stage by the Senate on 30 March 2004.

[9] Telecommunications Service Inquiry, Connecting Australia, p 248.

[10] Telstra provided the Committee with maps showing the extent of coverage of its CDMA and GSM networks. Unfortunately, their use of colour coding meant that they could not be reproduced in this report. It follows from the text that coverage is based on population centres, with no service provided to some 80 per cent of the country.

[11] Mr Bill Scales, Group Managing Director, Regulatory, Telstra, Official Committee Hansard, 6 August 2003, p. 830.

[12] King Island Council, Submission 19.

[13] Break ODay Council, Submission 11.

[14] Ms Roslyn Joseph, Submission 32.

[15] Australian Bureau of Statistics, Internet Activity - September 2003, Series 8153.0, p 5.

[16] E-Nambucca Project Committee, Submission 66.

[17] Guyra Shire Council, Submission 15; Parry Shire Council, Submission 23; Orana Regional Development Board, submission 42; Mr Frank Calabrese, Submission 63; South West Development Commission, Submission 144

[18] Ms Anita Iuretigh, Executive Officer, Warren-Blackwood Economic Alliance, Committee Hansard, 9 May 2003, p 602.

[19] Mr Don Punch, Chief Executive Officer, South West Development Commission, Committee Hansard, 9 May 2003, p 616.

[20] Ms Vicki Brooke and Mr Grahame Wilson, Submission 118, p 2.

[21] Ms Vicki Brooke, Committee Hansard, 20 May 2003, p 784.

[22] King Island Council, Submission 19.

[23] Mr Mark Hainsworth, Senior Policy Officer, Policy Unit, Strategy and Legislation, Department of Local Government and Regional Development, Western Australia, Official Committee Hansard, 9 May 2003, 664.

[24] ibid.

[25] Telstra Corporation Limited, Submission 107, p 48.

[26] Regional Telecommunications Inquiry, Connecting Regional Australia, p 154; the same data was provided to the Committee in Telstra's submission, Telstra Corporation Limited, Submission 107, p 49.

[27] Regional Telecommunications Inquiry, Connecting Regional Australia, p 154.

[28] See Appendix 5 for details.

[29] Regional Telecommunications Inquiry, Connecting Regional Australia, p 155.

[30] Consumers Telecommunications Network, Submission 88, Attachment 2.

[31] Regional Telecommunications Inquiry, Connecting Regional Australia, Recommendation 4.1, p 156.

[32] Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, FAQ 19.2 kbps Licence Condition, http://www.dcita.gov.au/Article/0,,0_1-2_3-4_102257,00.html.

[33] Ms Vicki Brooke, Committee Hansard, 20 May 2003, p 785; see also Roslyn Joseph, Submission 32.

[34] Mr Graham Wilson, Committee Hansard, 20 May 2003, p 783.

[35] Mr Robert Jardine, Secretary/Treasurer, Ouyen Incorporated, Committee Hansard, 23 April 2003, p 352.

[36] Telecommunications Service Inquiry, Connecting Australia, 2000, p 171 referring to the report of the Australian Communications Authority Digit Data Inquiry, 1998.

[37] Telecommunications Service Inquiry, Connecting Australia, 2000, p 171.

[38] Telstra, Submission 107, p 49.

[39] Mr Chris Cheah, Chief General Manager Telecommunications, Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Official Committee Hansard, Senate Environment, Communication, Information technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, Inquiry into the Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2003, 7 October 2003, p 30.

[40] Mr John Stanhope, Chief Finance Officer and Group Managing Director, Finance and Administration, Telstra Corporation Ltd, Official Committee Hansard, Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, Inquiry into the Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2003, 2 October 2003, p 78.

[41] Guyra Shire Council, Submission 15; Parry Shire Council, Submission 23,

[42] Mr Geoff Thompson, Thompson Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd, Submission 1, p 2.

[43] R & P Patterson, Submission 13.

[44] Ms Roslyn Joseph, Submission 32.

[45] Mr Robert Jardine, Secretary/Treasurer, Ouyen Incorporated, 23 April 2003, p 350.

[46] Mr Grahame Wilson, Submission 118, p 11.

[47] R &P Patterson, Submission 13.

[48] Helen Rix Graphic Design, Submission 127.

[49] Mr David Fraser, Submission 22.

[50] Townsville City Council, Submission 126, pp 14-15.

[51] Australian Bureau of Statistics, Internet Activity - September 2003, Series 8153.0, p 4.

[52] Dr Tony Warren, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 12 November 2003, p 74.

[53] Mr Paul Fletcher, Optus, Proof Committee Hansard, 13 November 2003, p 117.

[54] ibid.

[55] Councillor Paul Rasmussen, Hawkesbury Radio 89.9 FM, Submission 6.

[56] Macedon Range Shire Council, Submission 33.

[57] Councillor Ray Cloonan, Townsville City Council, Official Committee Hansard, 28 April 2003, p 431.

[58] Mr Denis Mullane, Manager, BigPond Network Capability, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 884.

[59] Ibid., p 899.

[60] Mr Denis Mullane, Manager, BigPond Network Capability, Telstra, Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, Budget Estimates Supplementary Hearings, Official Committee Hansard, 3 November 2003, p 73.

[61] Mr Denis Mullane, Manager, BigPond Network Capability, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p. 885.

[62] Mr Daren Kennaugh, IT Manager, Gilgandra Shire Council, Environment Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee, inquiry into competition in broadband services, 1 October 2003, p 36.

[63] Mr Christopher Lane, Chief Technical Officer, Coastalwatch Holdings Pty Ltd, Environment Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee, inquiry into competition in broadband services, 2 February 2004, p 31.

[64] Mr Denis Mullane, Manager, BigPond Network Capability, Telstra, Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, Budget Estimates Supplementary Hearings, Official Committee Hansard, 3 November 2003, p 73.

[65] Ibid., p 73.

[66] Telstra, Submission 144a, Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, Inquiry into the provisions of the Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2003.

[67] Mr Bill Scales, Group Managing Director, Regulatory Corporate and Human Relations, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 893.

[68] Telstra Corporation Limited, Media Release, 21 January 2004.

[69] Mr Denis Mullane, Manager, BigPond Network Capability, Telstra, , Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, Consideration of Budget Estimates, Official Committee Hansard, 26 May 2003, p 185.

[70] Mr Denis Mullane, Manager, BigPond Network Capability, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 903.

[71] Mr Christopher Lane, Chief Technical Officer, Coastalwatch Holdings Pty Ltd, Environment Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee, inquiry into competition in broadband services, 2 February 2004, p 31.

[72] Mr David Fraser, Submission 22.

[73] Ms Roslyn Joseph, Submission 32.

[74] Telstra Corporation Limited, Media Release, 19 January 2004.

[75] Mr Robert Ardill and Mr Grant Roper, Submission 8; Mr Andrew Freeman, Submission 21;

[76] Mr Bill Scales, Group Managing Director, Regulatory Corporate and Human Relations, Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 918.

[77] Mr Denis Mullane, Manager, BigPond Network Capability, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 919.

[78] Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Snap Shot of Broadband Deployment as at 30 June 2003.

[79] Telstra submission to the Committee's inquiry into competition in broadband services, submission 21, p 31.

[80] Council on the Ageing (Australia), Submission 39, p 7.

[81] Telstra Corporation Limited, Submission 107, p 59.

[82] Dr Robert Horton and Mr John Neil, Australian Communications Authority, Committee Hansard, Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee inquiry into the Provisions of the Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2003, 7 October 2003, p 46-47.

[83] Agile Pty Ltd, Submission 136.

[84] Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Snap Shot of Broadband Deployment as at 30 June 2003.

[85] The coverage of the existing cable networks is outlined in Chapter 1.

[86] Mr Richard Millburn, Submission 2.

[87] Mr Richard Millburn, Submission 2.

[88] Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Snap Shot of Broadband Deployment as at 30 June 2003.

[89] Mr Don Pinel, Regional Managing Director, Telstra Country Wide Queensland and Denis Mullane, Manager, BigPond Network Capability, Telstra, Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, pp 919-915.

[90] Mr David Fraser, Submission 22.

[91] Mid Murray Council, Submission 30.

[92] Australian Bureau of Statistics, Internet Activity - September 2003, Series 8153.0, p 11.

[93] For a discussion of satellite download and upload speeds see Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 927-929.

[94] Break ODay Council, Submission 11; King Island Council, Submission 19; Midac Technologies Australia Pty Limited, Submission 20; Roslyn Joseph, Submission 32.

[95] Mr Geoff Thompson, Thompson Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd, Submission 1, p 2.

[96] Councillor Paul Rasmussen, Hawkesbury Radio 89.9 FM, Submission 6.

[97] Mr Richard Millburn, Submission 2.

[98] Mr Brian Ready, Submission 94.

[99] Mr Robert Ardill and Mr Grant Roper, Submission 8, p 8.

[100] Australian Bureau of Statistics, Internet Activity - September 2003, Series 8153.0, p 11.

[101] Class licensed spectrum can be used by anyone, without the need to obtain a licence, provided that they operate in compliance with the class licence.

[102] Hutchinson Telecoms, Media Release 5 August 2003, updated by AAP article of 2 January 2004, published in Herald Sun on 3 January 2004 as Another tough year for Telstra.

[103] House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Connecting Australia! Wireless Broadband, November 2002, p. xi.

[104] The Australian, breaking news Internet page, 30 March 2004.

[105] Australian Communications Authority, Broadband Powerline Communications Systems A Background Brief, September 2003, p 2.

[106] ibid.

[107] ibid., p 12.

[108] ibid., p 7.

[109] Australian Communications Authority, Broadband Powerline Communications Systems A Background Brief, September 2003, p 16.

[110] ibid., p 14.

[111] National Office of the Internet Economy, The Current State of Play Online Participation and Activities, 2003, p 10.

[112] Communications Expert Group Pty Ltd, Inquiry into Competition in Broadband Services, Submission 30.

[113] Mr Richard Millburn, Submission 2.

[114] Mr Geoff Thompson, Thompson Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd, Submission 1, p 2.

[115] Midac Technologies (Australia) Pty Limited, Submission 20.

[116] Hay Shire Council, Submission 17. See also Orana Development Board, Submission 42.

[117] Yarriambiack Shire Council, Submission 12.

[118] Mr Rodney Bradley, Submission 9.

[119] Mr Geoff Thompson, Thompson Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd, Submission 1, p 2; Break ODay Council, Submission 11.

[120] Mr Steve Judd, Submission 4.

[121] Mr A Priede, Submission 3.

[122] Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Tasmanian Communications Branches, Submission 133, p 5.

[123] Three Rivers Landcare Group, Submission 56; Ewan Community North Queensland, Submission 57; Hidden Valley Community, Submission 58; Upper Burdekin Progress Association, Submission 59.

[124] Mr Peter Kane, Submission 29.

[125] Detailed in Appendix 5.

[126] Australian Communications Authority, Investigation into the provision and maintenance of telephone services to the Boulding family in Kergunyah, north-eastern Victoria, March 2002, p. 6.

[127] Mr Dennis Mullane, Manager, BigPond Network Capability, Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 859.

[128] Telstra Corporation Limited, Submission 107D.

[129] Mr Denis Mullane, Manager, BigPond Network Capability, Telstra, Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 934.

[130] ibid., p 923.

[131] Ms Teresa Corbin, Acting Executive Officer, Consumer Telecommunications Network, Committee Hansard, 28 November 2002, p 203.

[132] Mr Denis Mullane, Manager, BigPond Network Capability, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 887.

[133] Mr Chris Tangey, Submission 35.

[134] Mr Geoff Thompson, Thompson Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd, Submission 1, p 2.

[135] Mr Denis Mullane, Manager, BigPond Network Capability, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 916.

[136] Mr Denis Mullane, Manager, BigPond Network Capability, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 914.

[137] Regional Telecommunications Inquiry, Connecting Regional Australia, November 2002, p XV.

[138] The Government's response to the recommendations of the Regional Telecommunications Inquiry, http://www.dcita.gov.au

[139] Telstra Corporation Limited, Submission 107d.

[140] Environment, Communication, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, Additional Estimates, Proof Committee Hansard, 16 February 2004, p 104.

[141] Regional Telecommunications Inquiry, Connecting Regional Australia, November 2002, p 235.

[142] Mr Denis Mullane, Manager, BigPond Network Capability, Telstra, Official Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 861 - 863.

[143] Environment, Communication, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, Additional Estimates, Proof Committee Hansard, 16 February 2004, p 104.

[144] Mr Anthony Rix, Head, Service Advantage, Telstra, Official Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 922.

[145] Mr Denis Mullane, Manager, Bigpond Network Capability, Telstra, Official Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 923.

[146] Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999, section 19(1).

[147] Ms Lorraine Boyd, Submission 7.

[148] Aramac Shire Council, Submission 60.

[149] Mr Peter Hanson, Submission 28.

[150] Australian Communications Authority, Payphone Policy Review, p 1.

[151] ibid., p 2.

[152] Australian Communication Exchange Ltd, Submission 65, p 8.

[153] Mr Leonard Bytheway, Australian Communication Exchange Ltd, Committee Hansard, 28 November 2002, p 245.

[154] See, for example, Consumers Telecommunications Network, Submission 88, pp 7-8.

[155] Australian Communication Exchange Ltd, Submission 65, pp 6-7.

[156] See letter from Australian Communications Authority to Australian Communication Exchange, Submission 65, Appendix A.

[157] Deafness Forum of Australia, Submission 40, p 3.

[158] Consumers Telecommunications Network, Submission 88, p 9.

[159] Mr Andrew Stewart, Deafness Forum of Australia, Committee Hansard, 28 November 2002, p 183.

[160] Mr Harold Hartfield, Physical Disability Council of Australia Ltd, Committee Hansard, 30 April 2003, p 515.

[161] Mr Andrew Stewart, Deafness Forum of Australia, Committee Hansard, 28 November 2002, p 186.

[162] TEDICORE. Key principles of proposed Disability Telecommunication Program, Deafness Forum of Australia, Submission 40, Appendix 2, p 37.

[163] Ms Gunela Astbrink, Telecommunications and Disability Consumer Representation, Committee Hansard, 30 April 2003, p 508.

[164] Ms Margaret Portelli, Group Manager, Consumer Affairs, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 6 August 2003, p 825.

[165] ibid.

[166] ibid.

[167] ibid., pp 819- 820.

[168] Using this system a deaf person may converse over the phone line through the medium of a keyboard, screen and printer.

[169] There are 171 across Australia according to Mr Andrew Stewart, Deafness Forum of Australia, Committee Hansard, 28 November 2002, p 188.

[170] Deafness Forum of Australia, Submission 40, p 4.

[171] ibid., p 5.

[172] Australian Communication Exchange, Submission 65, p 9.

[173] Deafness Forum of Australia, Submission 40, p 4.

[174] Ms Margaret Robertson, Deafness forum of Australia, Committee Hansard, 28 November 2002, p 189.

[175] Deafness Forum of Australia, Submission 40, p 4.

[176] Mr Harold Hartfield, Physical Disability Council of Australia Ltd, Committee Hansard, 30 April 2003, p 508.

[177] Mr Leonard Bytheway, Australian Communication Exchange, Committee Hansard, 28 November 2002, p 242.

[178] See, for example, Australian Association of the Deaf, Submission 68, pp 3-4; Consumers' Telecommunications Network, Submission 88, p 12.

[179] Mr Leonard Bytheway, Australian Communication Exchange, Committee Hansard, 28 November 2002, p 244

[180] Ms Margaret Robertson, Deafness Forum of Australia, Committee Hansard, 28 November 2002, p 182.

[181] Mr Harold Hartfield, Physical Disability Council of Australia Ltd, Committee Hansard, 30 April 2003, p 510.

[182] Mr Bill Scales, Group Managing Director, Regulatory, Corporate and Human Relations, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 6 August 2003, p 825.

[183] Ms Margaret Portelli, Group Manager, Consumer Affairs, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 6 August 2003, p 826.

[184] ibid., p 827.

[185] Telstra, Telstras Third Disability Action Plan 2002-2004.

[186] ibid., pp 16 - 17.

[187] Ms Margaret Portelli, Group Manager, Consumer Affairs, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 6 August 2003, p 827. Telstras Third Disability Action Plan. 2002-2004, Telstra, p 16 - 17.

[188] Telstra, Telstras Third Disability Action Plan 2002-2004, Telstra, p 16.

[189] The options are discussed by Mr Don Pinel, Regional Managing Director, Queensland, Telstra Country Wide, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 6 August, p 821.

[190] Australian Communication Exchange Ltd, Submission 65, p 6.

[191] Mr Leonard Bytheway, Australian Communication Exchange Ltd, Committee Hansard, 28 November 2002, p 242.

[192] See Australian Communication Exchange Ltd, Submission 65, pp 6-9 for a discussion of this issue.

[193] Mr Leonard Bytheway, Australian Communication Exchange Ltd, Committee Hansard, 28 November 2002, p 244.

[194] Australian Association of the Deaf, Submission 68, p 7.

[195] Mr Harold Hartfield, Physical Disability Council of Australia Ltd, Committee Hansard, 30 April 2003, p 110.

[196] Mr Bill Scales, Group Managing Director, Regulatory, Corporate and Human Relations, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 6 August 2003, p 822.

[197] ibid.

[198] ibid., p 830.

[199] For further details see Proof Committee Hansard, 6 August 2003, pp 2-3.

[200] Australian Communications Authority, Payphone Policy Review, 20 February 2004.

[201] ibid., p 5.

[202] Mr Bill Scales, Group Managing Director, Regulatory Corporate and Human Relations, Telstra, Committee Hansard, 6 August 2003, 820.

[203] See also: Parry Shire Council, Submission 23; Jill White, Submission 25; Joanne Johnston, Submission 27; Peter Kane, Submission 29; Roslyn Joseph, Submission 32; Crookwell Shire Council, Submission 34; District Council of Grant, Submission 38; Government of Western Australia, Submission 44; Burdekin Shire Council, Submission 47; Carbonne Council, Submission 51; The Hon Dick Adams MP, Submission 52; South East Local Government Association Inc, Submission 54; Aramac Shire Council, Submission 54.

[204] Mid Murray Council, Submission 30.

[205] Country Womens Association of NSW, Submission 37

[206] Sub Committee of Nambucca shires Economic and Development Committee, Attachment to Submission 66, p 2

[207] Ms Lorraine Boyd, Submission 7.

[208] Warren-Blackwood Economic Alliance, Submission 144, p 7.

[209] Guyra Shire Council, Submission 15, Hay Shire Council, Submission 17, South West Development Commission, Submission 145; South East Local Government Association Inc, Submission 54, eNambucca Project Committee, Submission 66.

[210] Mr Bill Scales, Group Managing Director, Regulatory Corporate and Human Relations, Telstra, Committee Hansard, 6 August 2003, p 830.

[211] Mr Don Pinel, Regional Managing Director, Telstra Country Wide, Queensland, Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 905.

[212] Mr Don Pinel, Regional Managing Director, Telstra Country Wide, Queensland, Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p.905.

[213] Shire of Nannup, Submission 16.

[214] Mr Don Pinel, Regional Managing Director, Telstra Country Wide, Queensland, Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p.906.

[215] South West Development Commission, Submission 145, p 3.

[216] Carol Richard, Submission 46, p 3.

[217] South West Development Commission, Submission 145, p 3.

[218] Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Submission 33.

[219] Mr Richard Millburn, Submission 2.

[220] Mr Don Pinel, Regional Managing Director, Telstra Country Wide, Queensland, Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 908.

[221] Shire of Nannup, Submission 16; Ms Jennie George MP, Submission 26; the Hon Dick Adams MP, Submission 52.

[222] Break ODay Council, Submission 11.

[223] Ms Roslyn Joseph, Submission 32.

[224] Hay Shire Council, Submission 17.

[225] Ms Jill White, Submission 25.

[226] ibid.

[227] Michelle O'Byrne MP, Submission 140; Carol Richard, Submission 46.

[228] Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Tasmanian Communications Branches, Submission 133.

[229] ibid, p 6.

[230] Telstra, Submission 107b.

[231] Mr Anthony Rix, Head, Service Advantage, Telstra, Official Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 959.

[232] Australian Communications Authority, Investigation into the provision and maintenance of telephone services to the Boulding family in Kergunyah, north-eastern Victoria, March 2002, p 6.

[233] Telstra, Media Release, 14 March 2002.

[234] Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Tasmanian Communications Branch, Submission 133, p 6.

[235] Guyra Shire Council, Submission 15; District Council of Grant, Submission 38.

[236] Ms Roslyn Joseph, Submission 32.

[237] Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Queensland Branch, Submission 139.

[238] Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, NSW Branch, Submission 134a to the Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee inquiry into the Provisions of the Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2003.

[239] Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Submission 96, p 19.

[240] Mr Paul Kelly, State Secretary, Communications Division, Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Western Australia Branch, Official Committee Hansard, 9 May 2003, p 638.

[241] Mr Gerry Kandelaars, Branch Secretary, Telecommunications and Services Branch (South Australia/Northern Territory), Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Official Committee Hansard, 26 November 2002.

[242] Mr Anthony Rix, Head, Service Advantage, Telstra, Official Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p. 958

[243] ibid.

[244] ibid., p 946.

[245] Regional Telecommunication Inquiry, Connecting Regional Australia, p 77.

[246] Mr Bill Scales, General Manager, Corporate and Human Resources, Telstra, Committee Hansard, Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, 20 November 2002, p 17.

[247] Mr Anthony Rix, Head, Service Advantage, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 958.

[248] Mr Gerry Kandelaars, Branch Secretary, Telecommunications and Services Branch (South Australia/Northern Territory, Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Committee Hansard, 26 November 2002. p 78.

[249] Mr Shane Murphy, Branch Organiser, New South Wales Postal and Telecommunications Branch, Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Committee Hansard, Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee inquiry into the provisions of the Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2003, 1 October 2003, p 20.

[250] Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union, Submission 96, p 20.

[251] Mr Gerry Kandelaars, Branch Secretary, Telecommunications and Services Branch (South Australia/Northern Territory, Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Committee Hansard, 26 November 2002. p 71.

[252] Mr Shane Murphy, Branch Organiser, New South Wales Postal and Telecommunications Branch, Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Committee Hansard, Senate Environment Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee inquiry into the provisions of the Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2003, 10 October 2003, p 61.

[253] Mr Steve Dodd, Union Organiser, Communications Union Branch, Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union, Committee Hansard, 11 October 2002, p 16.

[254] Australian Communications Authority, Telecommunications Performance Monitoring Bulletin, Issue 25, June 2003 Quarter, p 3.

[255] Dr Robert Horton, Acting Chairman, Australian Communications Authority, Committee Hansard, Senate Environment Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee inquiry into the provisions of the Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2003, 7 October 2003, p 39.

[256] Australian Communications Authority, Submission 166 to the Senate Environment Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee inquiry into the Provision of the Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2003.

[257] Australian Communications Authority, Telecommunications Performance Monitoring Bulletin, Issue 26, September 2003 Quarter, p 12.

[258] ibid.

[259] Australian Communications Authority, Telecommunications Performance Monitoring Bulletin, Issue 27, December 2003 Quarter, p 9.

[260] Australian Communications Authority, Telecommunications Performance Monitoring Bulletin, Issue 26, September 2003 Quarter, p 10.

[261] Australian Communications Authority, Telecommunications Performance Monitoring Bulletin, Issue 27, December 2003 Quarter, p 9.

[262] Australian Communications Authority, Telecommunications Performance Monitoring Bulletin, Issue 27, December 2003 Quarter, p 9.

[263] ibid., p 26.

[264] Telstra Business & Commercial Operations Infrastructure Services, December 2003, Tabled in the House of Representatives 10 March 2003.

[265] ibid.

[266] Senator John Cherry, Australian Democrats Minority Report, Environment Communications Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, Provisions of the Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2003.

[267] Australian Communications Authority, Telecommunications Performance Monitoring Bulletin, Issue 25, June 2003 Quarter.

[268] Mr John Neil, Executive Manager, telecommunications Analysis Group, Australian Communications Authority, Committee Hansard, Senate Environment Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee inquiry into the provisions of the Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2003, 7 October 2003, p 37.

[269] Australian Communications Authority, Telecommunications Performance Monitoring Bulletin, Issue 26 September 2003 Quarter, pp 4-5.

[270] ibid., pp 5-6.

[271] Australian Communications Authority, Telecommunications Performance Monitoring Bulletin, Issue 26, September 2003 Quarter, p 18.

[272] Australian Communications Authority, Telecommunications Performance Monitoring Bulletin, Issue 27, December 2003 Quarter, p 16.

[273] ibid., p 16.

[274] Australian Communications Authority, Payphone Policy Review, 2004, p 2.

[275] Mr Gerry Kandelaars, Branch Secretary, Telecommunications and Services Branch (South Australia/Northern Territory, Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Committee Hansard, 26 November 2002, p 73.

[276] The USO is more fully described in Appendix 5.

[277] Mr Les Hodgson, Northern Territory Government, Committee Hansard, 28 March 2003, p 285.

[278] Ms Judy Anderson, SingTel Optus Pty Ltd, Committee Hansard, 6 December 2002, p 259.

[279] Mr Mark Needham, National Farmers Federation, Committee Hansard, 6 December 2002, p 273.

[280] Ms Helen Scott, Council on the Ageing, Committee Hansard, 26 November 2002, p 57.

[281] Ms Roslyn Joseph, Submission 32, p 1.

[282] Government of Western Australia, Submission 44, p 11.

[283] Communications Experts Group Pty Ltd and Community Tele-Services Australia Inc, Submission 86.

[284] Northern Territory Government, Submission 48, p 6.

[285] Attachment to Submission 67, Mr Chris Dalton and Mr Mark Armstrong Rural Telecommunications Policy Reform, p 2.

[286] Vodafone Australia, Submission 90, p 4.

[287] Optus, Submission 91, p 20

[288] Mr Christopher Dalton, Committee Hansard, 19 May 2003, p 715.

[289] Mr Christopher Dalton, Committee Hansard, 19 May 2003, p 717.

[290] Agile Pty Ltd, Submission 136, Attachment A, p 8.

[291] Ms Georgia-Kate Schubert, Vodafone, Committee Hansard, 28 March 2003, p 293.

[292] Optus, Submission 91, pp 21-22.

[293] Mr David McCulloch, SingTel Optus Pty Ltd, Committee Hansard, 6 December 2002, p 266.

[294] See Attachment to Submission 67, Rural Telecommunications Policy Reform, Chris Dalton and Mark Armstrong, pp 51-51.

[295] Mr Chris Dalton and Ms Ros Hill, Submission 67, Part 3, p 51.

[296] The Hon Daryl Williams, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, News Release, 1 December 2003.

[297] Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Review of the Operation of the Universal Service Obligation and the Customer Service Guarantee, 7 April 2004.

[298] Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Review of the Operation of the Universal Service Obligation and the Customer Service Guarantee, pp 158-159.

[299] ibid., p 195.

[300] ibid., pp 48, 53.

[301] The Coorong projects is discussed further in Chapter 6.

[302] Agile Communications, Submission 136.

[303] ibid.

[304] Telstra, Telstra's major push to broadband the bush, Media Release, 8 April 2004.

[305] Mrs Sheryl Siekierka, Western Australian Department of Industry and Resources, Committee Hansard, 9 May 2003, p 657.

[306] The Government of Western Australia, Submission 44 p 7.

[307] Ms Roslyn Joseph, Submission 32, p 2.

[308] For a discussion of these issues see Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, pp 924-925.

[309] Mr Denis Mullane, Manager, BigPond Network Capability, Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 924.

[310] ibid., p 930.

[311] Mr Don Punch, South West Development Corporation, Western Australia, Committee Hansard, 9 May 2003, p 617.

[312] Mr Don Pinel, Regional Managing Director, Telstra Country Wide, Queensland, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 926.

[313] Mr Bill Scales, Group Managing Director, Regulatory Corporate and Human Relations, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 926.

[314] See, for example, the evidence of Mrs Jano Foulkes-Taylor, a resident of Yalgoo, Western Australia, given by teleconference to the Committee on 20 May 2003, Proof Committee Transcript, p. 809 and her submission no. 137. Mrs Foulkes-Taylor is a member of the Telstra Country Wide Advisory Board.

[315] Mrs Brenda Lenhart, M & M Ceramics Pty Ltd, Committee Hansard, 11 October 2002, p 4.

[316] Mr Graeme Sturges MP, Past State Secretary, Communications Division, Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union, Committee Hansard, 24 April 2003, p 382.

[317] Mr Ian McCarthy, Secretary, New South Wales Telecommunicati0on and Services Branch, Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union, Committee Hansard, 11 October 2002, p 14.

[318] Mr Shane Murphy, New south Wales Branch Organiser, Communications Division, Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union, Committee Hansard, 19 May 2003, p 749.

[319] Ms Rosalind Eason, Senior National Industrial Research Officer, Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union, Committee Hansard, 26 November 2002, p 81.

[320] ibid., p 70.

[321] Ms Jennie George MP, Federal Member for Throsby, Committee Hansard, 11 October 2002, p 8.

[322] Mr Steve Dodd, Union Organiser, Communications Union Branch, Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Committee Hansard, 11 October 2002, p 15.

[323] Mr Collin Cooper, National Vice-President, Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union, Committee Hansard, 26 November 2002, p 73.

[324] Mr Rosalind Eason, Senior National Industrial Research Officer, Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Committee Hansard, 22 November 2002, p 76.

[325] Ms Jennie George MP, Federal Member of Throsby, Committee Hansard, 11 October 2002, p 10.

[326] Telstra, Submission 107c, pp 6-7. See also Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 949 and Submission 107b, pp 8-9.

[327] Mr Anthony Rix, Head, Service Advantage, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 948. See also Submission 107b, p 7.

[328] Mr Anthony Rix, Head, Service Advantage, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 849.

[329] Telstra, Submission 107b, p 2.

[330] ibid, p 6.

[331] Telstra, Submission 107c, p 4. Further information on Telstras contract work force is provided in Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, pp 956-957.

[332] Mr Bill Scales, Group Managing Director, Telstra Country Wide, Queensland, Proof Committee Hansard, 6 August 2003, p 830.

[333] Mr Bill Scales, Group Managing Director, Telstra Country Wide, Queensland, Proof Committee Hansard, 6 August 2003, p 831.

[334] This figure was later revised by the witness to 66.

[335] Mr Anthony Rix, Head, Service Advantage, Telstra, Proof Committee Hansard, 7 August 2003, p 949.

[336] See Committee Hansard, 27 November 2002, pp 168-171 for further details.

[337] Dr Bob Horton, Deputy Chairman, Australian Communications Authority, Committee Hansard, 27 November 2002, p 170.

[338] Mr John Pinnock. Ombudsman, Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Scheme, Committee Hansard, 14 May 2003, p 691.

[339] Mr Allan Major, Australian Communications Authority. Letter to Ms Jennie George MP. Included as an attachment to Submission 26.

[340] Mr John Pinnock, Ombudsman, Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Scheme, Committee Hansard, 28 March, 2003, p 267.

[341] Mr John Pinnock, Ombudsman, Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Scheme, Committee Hansard, 28 March 2003, p 269.

[342] See Committee Hansard, 28 March 2003, pp 699-700.

[343] Mr John Pinnock, Ombudsman, Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Scheme, Committee Hansard, 14 May 2003, p 698.

[344] Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Review of the Operation of the Universal Service Obligation and the Customer Service Guarantee, p 209.

[345] ibid., p 221.

[346] Australian Communications Authority, ACA identifies rural exchanges needing improvement, Media Release No 30 15 August 2003.

[347] Australian Communications Authority, Media Release No. 64, 18 December 2003.

[348] Australian Communications Authority, Media Release, 31 March 2004.

[349] Australian Communications Authority, Media Release No 23, 1 April 2004.

[350] Australian Consumers Association, Submission 71, p 3.

[351] Australian Telecommunications Users Group Ltd (ATUG), Submission 89, p 11.

[352] Optus, Submission 91, p 9.

[353] Mr Lawrence Paratz, Regional Managing Director, Southern Region, Telstra Country Wide, Telstra, Committee Hansard, 6 December 2002, p 286.

[354] ibid.

[355] Optus, Submission 91, pp 11-12.

[356] Comindico Pty Ltd, Committee Hansard, 27 November 2002, p 142.

[357] Australian Consumers Association, Submission 71, p 4.

[358] Dr Terence Cutler, Comindico Pty Ltd, Committee Hansard, 27 November 2002, p 145.

[359] Mr David Green, NTL Telecommunications Pty Ltd, Committee Hansard, 28 November 2002, p 253.

[360] Ms Elizabeth Elenius, Submission 84, p 13.

[361] Australian Telecommunications Users Group Ltd, Submission 89, p 7.

[362] Mr John Burke, RMIT University, Submission 69, p 5.

[363] Ms Roslyn Joseph, Submission 32, pp 2-3.

[364] Ms Elizabeth Elenius, Submission 84, p 3.

[365] Communications Expert Group Pty Ltd and Community Tele-Services Australia Inc, Submission 86.

[366] Mr Robert Ardill & Mr Grant Roper, Submission 8, p 4.

[367] Mr Malcolm Moore, Submission 62, p 9.

[368] Ms Vicki Brooke, Committee Hansard, 20 May 2003, p 783.

[369] Mr David McCulloch, SingTel Optus, Committee Hansard, 6 December 2002, p 258.

[370] Mr Douglas Kelso, National Office for the Information Economy, Committee Hansard, 27 November 2002, p 124.

[371] Ms Rosalind Eason, Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Committee Hansard, 26 November 2002, p 92.

[372] Optus, Submission 91, p 13.

[373] Mr Robert Ardill and Mr Grant Roper, Submission 8, p 5.

[374] Ms Roslyn Joseph, Submission 32, p 2.

[375] Australian Telecommunications Users Group, Submission 89, p 13.

[376] Australian Consumers Association, Submission 71, p 40.

[377] Mr Robert Ardill and Mr Grant Roper, Submission 8, p 5.

[378] Ms Vicki Brooke, Committee Hansard, 20 May 2003, p 783.

[379] Mr John Murphy, RMIT University, Committee Hansard, 26 November 2002, p 97.

[380] ACIL Tasman, Submission 7, Inquiry into Competition in Broadband Services.

[381] ACIL Tasman, Submission 7a, Inquiry into Competition in Broadband Services.

[382] Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Recommendation of the Council Concerning Structural Separation in Regulated Industries, 6 June 2003.

[383] For details see The Hon Paul Lucas, Minister for Innovation and Information Economy, Queensland Government, Committee Hansard, 30 April 2003, p 534.

[384] Mr Christopher Dalton, Committee Hansard, 19 May 2003, pp 720-721.

[385] Mr David Forman, Comindico Pty Ltd, Committee Hansard, 27 November 2002, p 141.

[386] Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Emerging Market Structures in the Communications Sector, June 2003.

[387] Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Emerging Market Structures in the Communications Sector, June 2003, p xv.

[388] Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Emerging Market Structures in the Communications Sector, June 2003, p xvi.

[389] ibid., p xxi.

[390] Senate Economics References Committee, The effectiveness of the Trade Practices Act 1974 in protecting small business, March 2004.

[391] ibid., p 65.

[392] ibid., Recommendation 13, p 66.

[393] CEPU Tasmanian Communications Branches, Submission 133.

[394] Telstra, Submission 107d.

[395] Australian Telecommunications Users Group, Submission 89.

[396] Mr Bill Scales, Group Managing Director, Regulatory Corporate and Human Relations, Telstra, Committee Hansard, 19 May 2003, p 770.

[397] Mr Anthony Rix, Executive General Manager, Service Advantage, Telstra, Committee Hansard, 19 May 2003, p 770.

[398] Mr Bill Scales, Group Managing Director, Regulatory Corporate and Human Relations, Telstra 19 May, p 584.

[399] Ms Roslyn Joseph, Submission 32.

[400] OECD, quoted by Optus in submission 91.

[401] Optus, Submission 91.

[402] The Hon Paul Lucas, Minister for Innovation and Information Economy, Queensland, Committee Hansard, 30 April 2003, p 531.

[403] Mr John Spinaze, Director, Infrastructure Development, Queensland Department of Innovation and Information Economy, Committee Hansard, 30 April 2003, p 531.

[404] The Hon Paul Lucas, Minister for Innovation and Information Economy, Queensland, Committee Hansard, 30 April 2003, p 537.

[405] ibid., p 540.

[406] Optus, Submission 91.

[407] ibid.

[408] Agile Communications, Submission 136.

[409] ibid.

[410] Simon Hackett, Managing Director, Agile Communications, Committee Hansard, 8 May 2003, p 579.

[411] Simon Hackett, Managing Director, Agile Communications, Committee Hansard, 8 May 2003, p 581.

[412] Norlink Communications Ltd, Submission 132.

[413] Mr Keith Davidson, Chief Executive Officer, Norlink Communications Ltd, Committee Hansard, 30 April 2003, p 520.

[414] Dr Sorin Barbulescu, Institute for Telecommunications Research, University of South Australia, Committee Hansard, 8 May 2003, p 567.

[415] Professor Eric Wainright, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Information Services and Technologies, James Cook University, Committee Hansard, 28 April 2003, p 449.

[416] Optus, Submission 91.

[417] ibid.

[418] Small Enterprise Telecommunications Centre Limited, Submission 76.

[419] Mr Andrew Cairns, Chief Executive Officer, Bendigo Community Telco Ltd, Committee Hansard, 22 April 2003, p 311

[420] Telecommunications Service Inquiry, Connecting Australia, 30 September 2000, p 5.

[421] Mr Paul Budde, Managing Director, Paul Budde Communications Pty Ltd, Senate Environment, Communications Information Technology and the Arts Committee Inquiry into Broadband Competition, Official Committee Hansard, 13 November 2003, p 143.

[422] Dr Tony Warren, Group Manager, Regulatory Strategy, Telstra Corporation Ltd, Senate Environment, Communications Information Technology and the Arts Committee Inquiry into Broadband Competition, Official Committee Hansard, 12 November 2003, p 74.

[423] The Australian, All-fibre diet for Telstra network, 22 June 2004.

[424] Australian Communications Authority, Payphone Policy Review, 2004, pp 39-43.

[425] Senator Sue Mackay, Senate set to examine Telstra, Media Statement, 25 June 2002.

[426] Report, paragraph 5.64

[427] Senator Lyn Allison, Broadband key issue for Senate inquiry, Media Release 02/329, 25 June 2002.

[428] Mr Paul White, Branch Secretary, Postal and Telecommunications Branch, Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Official Committee Hansard, 28 April 2003, p 471.

[429] Telstra, Submission 107f.

[430] Mr Anthony Rix, Head of Service Advantage, Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, Additional Budget Estimates, Proof Committee Hansard 16 February 2004, p 112.

[431] Australian Communications Authority, Telecommunications Performance Monitoring Bulletin, Issue 27 December 2003 Quarter, p 13.

[432] Australian Telecommunications Authority, Quality of Service Bulletin, Issue 9, March Quarter 1996.

[433] Australian Communications Authority, Telecommunications Performance Monitoring Bulletin, Issue 27, December 2003 Quarter.

[434] Melissa Stevens, Senate sets up telco inquiry, West Australian, 26 June 2002.

[435] Mr John Stanhope, Chief Finance Officer and Group Managing Director, Finance and Administration, Telstra Corporations Ltd, Official Committee Hansard, Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, Inquiry into the Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 2003, 2 October 2003, p 78.

[436] Telstra, Telstra update on its Response to the Regional Telecommunications Inquiry (Estens Inquiry), February 2004.

[437] The Hon Daryl Williams MP, Minister for Communications Information Technology and the Arts, First providers approved to supply affordable broadband services to regional Australia, News Release 89/04, 18 June 2004.

[438] Kate Mackenzie, ISP goes it alone on fast net, The Australian, HTTP://theaustralian.news.com.au/printpage/0,5942,9865349,00.html, 17 June 2004.

[439] Productivity Commission, Telecommunications Competition Regulation, Report No 16, 21 September 2001.

[440] Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Changes in the prices paid for telecommunications services in Australia 1997-98 to 2002-03, 31 May 2004, p 63.

[441] The Allen Consulting Group, Benefits Resulting from Changes in Telecommunications Services, 30 October 2003.

[442] ibid., p v.

[443] ibid.

[444] ibid.

[445] ibid., p vi.

[446] Bill Scales, Group Managing Director, Regulatory Corpoartte and human Relations, Telstra, Committee Hansard, 6 August 2003.

[447] Telecommunications Service Inquiry, Connecting Australia, 30 September 2000, p 1.

[448] Telecommunications Service Inquiry, Connecting Australia, 30 September 2000, p 5.

[449] Broadband Advisory Group, Australias Broadband Connectivity, January 2003, p 15.

[450] House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Connecting Australia! Wireless Broadband, November 2002, p xi.

[451] House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Connecting Australia! Wireless Broadband, November 2002, p xi.

[452] Connecting Regional Australia, p xii.

[453] Advertisements were placed in the national press on 13 December 2003 by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts inviting submissions from interested parties to a review of the operation of the USO and the CSG as required under section 159A of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999. The Department's Report was tabled on 17 June 2004.