Page 95 - SAMENA Trends - Jan-Mar 2024

WHOLESALE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

competition outside the NBN fixed line changes in technology since it was last
network,” added Brakey. While the ACCC updated. The ACCC will also extend the
says it will extend the declaration of the declaration of the fixed originating and
domestic transmission capacity service for terminating access services until 30th
a further five years, it will remove regulation June 2029. The service descriptions for the
in geographic areas where competition fixed originating and terminating access
is effective. “Competition in regional and services will be updated to reflect the
remote areas is often limited due to the latest industry developments. “As there
significant initial investment needed to set are no close substitutes to fixed line voice
up transmission capacity infrastructure,” services, declaring the fixed originating and
said Brakey. “Continuing to regulate terminating access services will promote
transmission capacity infrastructure will competition by preventing fixed network
not only promote competition in regional operators from exercising market power
and remote areas but will likely lead to in setting unreasonable terms of access,”
more efficient use of this infrastructure.” concluded Brakey.
At the same time, it will simplify the
description of domestic transmission
capacity service, so it accurately reflects

New Mobile Roaming Alerts for UK Holidaymakers

UK mobile customers will be better protected against unexpected • any fair use limits or time limits that apply;
roaming charges while using their phone abroad and at home, • that they can set a spend cap to limit their spend; and
under new rules announced by Ofcom. Following the UK’s exit from • where to find additional information about roaming.
the European Union, EU ‘roam like at home’ rules – and UK law
requiring mobile operators to alert customers of roaming charges
when they start to roam – have ceased to apply. Since then, many
operators have voluntarily continued to send their customers alerts.
However, a review by Ofcom found that the quality of information
being provided can be inconsistent and unclear. Our research found
that nearly one in five (19%) holidaymakers are unaware they could
face extra charges when using their phone abroad, and a similar
proportion (18%) said they do not research roaming charges
before travelling. To make sure all mobile customers are given the
information they need – when they need it – Ofcom is introducing
new protections. From 1 October 2024, mobile providers need to
notify customers when they start roaming. Providers also need to
provide clear, free to access information so customers can make
informed decisions about whether – and how – to use their mobile
phone abroad. This includes ensuring customers understand any
roaming charges, including:

ACCC Extends Wholesale Price Controls to Superfast Fixed-Line Broadband
Networks

Australians on broadband plans provided by non-NBN fixed-line Group Limited (Uniti) are the two largest suppliers of the SBAS.
networks should benefit from more stable pricing and greater Their networks combined cover more than one million premises,
competition between retailers, following the ACCC’s decision to primarily in apartment buildings and new residential housing
make a final wholesale access determination for the declared estates. In many areas they are the sole fixed-line broadband
superfast broadband access service (SBAS). TPG and Uniti network operator. The access determination sets maximum

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