Implementation13 Nov 2012

Telstra was required to implement specific parts of the Interim Equivalence and Transparency measures (set out in Part D of the SSU) by the dates specified in clause 21, unless otherwise approved by the ACCC.

Requirements included establishment of an Independent Telecommunications Adjudicator.

ACCC letter to Telstra - system changes and copper based services

On 27 June 2012 the ACCC contacted Telstra about systems changes that will be required to enable this obligation to be met as the NBN is built and Telstra’s obligations to cease the sale of new copper based services, and to disconnect or refuse subsequent orders for such services, as part of the migration of copper services.

Reference prices for ADSL Layer 2 service

In Schedule 8 of the SSU, Telstra commits to publishing a rate card of Reference Prices for each of the Reference Services to which the SSU applies. In Clause 1.2(a) of Schedule 8, Telstra commits that the Reference Price for the services expressly identified in that clause will be those specified from time to time by the ACCC in a binding rule of conduct, a final access determination or an interim access determination. Clause 1.2(a) does not expressly identify the wholesale ADSL Layer 2 service.

On 10 August 2012, Telstra wrote to the ACCC confirming that it would comply with the SSU as if the wholesale ADSL Layer 2 service were expressly identified in clause 1.2(a).

 

Telstra's response to ACCC letter - proposed workplan

Under clause 13.5 of the SSU, the service qualification systems that Telstra uses to process requests from wholesale customers are to be of equivalent reliability and response accuracy as those used to process requests from retail business units.

On 18 July 2012 Telstra responded to the ACCC's correspondence and provided a proposed workplan in relation to the systems changes. The workplan included a high level description of the issues and a timeline for development and implementation of the systems changes.

Telstra update on the development and implementation of the systems changes

On 13 November 2012 Telstra provided an update on the development and implementation of the systems changes. Telstra advised that the systems changes were delayed by approximately two months and the revised window for wholesale customer cutover and testing was scheduled to occur from the second week in April to the end of April 2013. Telstra also undertook to keep wholesale customers informed of its progress.