Domestic transmission capacity service final access determination inquiry 2019-20

On 5 June 2019, the ACCC released a consultation paper to formally commence a public inquiry into making a final access determination for the domestic transmission capacity service (DTCS).

The consultation paper sought industry views on the pricing approach that the ACCC should adopt for the DTCS and the appropriate prices for newly-defined transmission route services, such as backhaul to regional mobile base stations.

The ACCC also sought stakeholders’ comments to inform its decision on definitive access terms for transmission services to Christmas Island, which will replace interim prices provisionally set under the binding rules of conduct issued by the ACCC in December 2018.

On 23 October 2019 the ACCC released a draft report proposing to vary the 2016 DTCS final access determination to set new terms of access for DTCS services provided between mainland Australia and Christmas Island. Consultation on the draft report closed on 20 November 2019.

On 19 November 2019 the ACCC decided to extend the current final access determination inquiry for six months and to also extend the 2016 DTCS final access determination until a new final access determination is in force.

On 18 December 2019 the ACCC released a final report of the 2016 DTCS final access determination Variation Inquiry. The report sets out differentiated terms of access for DTCS to Christmas Island.

On 7 April 2020 the ACCC published a draft report seeking stakeholders' comments on the proposed terms for access to the DTCS to apply over the next regulatory period.

On 2 June 2020, the ACCC decided to extend the period for making a new DTCS final access determination for a further 6 months until 5 December 2020.

On 23 October 2020 the ACCC released the final report on its inquiry into making a final access determination for the DTCS.