2010-2011

 

The Parliament of the

Commonwealth of Australia

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 

 

 

Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Service Reform) Bill 2011

 

 

(Amendments to be moved by Mr Hartsuyker)

(1)           Schedule 1, page 15 (after line 5), after item 58, insert:

58A  Subsection 5(2)

Insert:

Independent STS Review means a review under section 8JA.

58B  Subsection 5(2)

Insert:

national broadband network has the same meaning as in the National Broadband Network Companies Act 2011 .

[Independent STS Review]

(2)           Schedule 1, item 71, page 22 (line 18), at the end of subsection 8J(6), add:

             ; and (g)  an Independent STS Review has certified the quality of standard telephone services delivered over the national broadband network.

[Independent STS Review]

(3)           Schedule 1, item 71, page 22 (after line 26), after section 8J, insert:

8JA  Independent STS Review

             (1)  An Independent STS Review must be conducted by a person (the Independent STS Reviewer ) who:

                     (a)  is appointed by the Minister; and

                     (b)  has knowledge and experience of the delivery of telecommunications services in rural areas.

             (2)  An Independent STS Review must not be conducted before 10,000 voice-only telephone services are being delivered over the national broadband network.

             (3)  The Independent STS Reviewer must not certify the quality of standard telephone services delivered over the nation broadband network unless the Independent STS Reviewer is satisfied that the quality of those services is at least equivalent to the quality of voice-only telephone services provided by Telstra over Telstra’s copper network on 1 November 2011.

             (4)  In deciding whether or not to certify the quality of standard telephone services delivered over the nation broadband network, the Independent STS Reviewer must have regard to the following in relation to the services:

                     (a)  prices paid by consumers;

                     (b)  quality of voice reproduction;

                     (c)  reliability, including down-time;

                     (d)  repair-time;

                     (e)  customer convenience.

             (5)  Subsection (4) does not limit the matters to which the Independent STS Reviewer may have regard.

             (6)  The Independent STS Reviewer must give the Minister a written report of the Independent STS Review. The Minister must cause the report to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 10 sitting days of that House after the Minister receives the report.

[Independent STS Review]