Telecommunications infrastructure in new developments

The Australian Government has released for comment a draft policy paper on a new approach to the provision of telecommunications infrastructure in new developments. The draft policy paper is part of the Government's response to the Vertigan review.

The final policy will replace the Fibre in New Developments: policy update of 22 June 2011.

The objective is to provide a balanced package that:

• gives people in new developments ready access to quality telecommunications services
• promotes a level playing field for the competitive supply of telecommunications infrastructure
• minimises costs.

The key principles under the Government's proposed approach are:

• developers will continue to be able to choose between competing carriers, including NBN Co, to service their developments
• developers will continue to meet the cost of pit and pipe
• developers will make a financial contribution to the cost of providing telecommunications infrastructure
• NBN Co, like other carriers, will be able to charge retail service providers for the connection of end-users
• network providers will need to meet minimum service standard in servicing new developments
• NBN Co will trial a buy-back scheme as well as co-investment and public-private partnerships to see if they can improve NBN Co's performance.

The proposed commencement date for the policy is 1 March 2015 with transitional and communications arrangements to phase in the new approach.