Exposure Draft—Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Statutory Infrastructure Providers and Other Measures) Bill 2022

The title of this bill was renamed to: 'Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards and Other Measures) Bill 2023' in 2023.

We're seeking feedback on proposed changes to the statutory infrastructure provider (SIP) regime and other telecommunications laws, to enhance their effectiveness and operation.

Why we want your input

We’ve identified changes to the SIP regime and other telecommunications laws that would make it easier and more efficient to provide broadband and other services for people in Australia.

How you can voice your opinion

Comments on the amendments can be emailed to us at usb@communications.gov.au by 30 September 2022.

What will be the outcome of this consultation?

Your submission will help the Government finalise the legislation for introduction into the Parliament.

The Issue

The proposed Bill will refine the SIP regime in the Telecommunications Act 1997. Key changes include:

  • bringing private networks in new developments into the SIP regime
  • making sure SIPs are ready to service buildings as soon as they are occupied
  • clarifying the primacy of standards, rules and benchmark for SIPs
  • confirming that SIPs can be required to pay compensation
  • clarifying the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman's jurisdiction in complaints involving SIPs
  • empowering the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to require developers to remediate deficient pit and pipe work.

The Bill will also amend the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 to give ACMA powers to publish data on individual providers' performance on a range of consumer service metrics.

Overall, the Bill will provide greater certainty for industry and consumers about their access to the essential broadband and voice services that underpin modern economic and social activity.

Submissions should be emailed to usb@communications.gov.au by 30 September 2022. If you would like to discuss the Bill with us, please also email us and we will contact you.

Relevant documentation

Outcome

After consideration of the submissions, the Minister introduced the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards and Other Measures) Bill 2023 into the Parliament on 7 December 2023.

The Department held further discussions with stakeholders about the Bill and made some refinements to the Bill before it was introduced into the Parliament on 7 December 2023.

Participate

31 Aug 2022 09:00 AEST
30 Sep 2022 23:59 AEST
Closed
This consultation is closed.