Under Part XIC of the Trade Practices Act 1974, Optus Networks Pty Ltd has notified the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission of an access dispute with Telstra Corporation Limited.
The access dispute relates to Telstra providing the Unconditioned Local Loop Service to Optus in multi-dwelling units served with a main distribution frame. This dispute concerns the ability of end-users to access services through ULLS whilst living in an apartment building or another form of multi dwelling unit or building served with a main distribution frame.
The ULLS involves the use of unconditioned cable, primarily copper pairs, between end users and a telephone exchange. The declared ULLS is being used by access seekers to support and connect to their own infrastructure for the supply of new and innovative voice and data services, such as those involving voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technologies.
The ACCC has commenced the arbitration process for this access dispute. Given that the legislation contemplates that arbitrations be conducted in private, the ACCC will not be making any public comment at this stage.