Who are you going to call? The future of the Universal Service Obligation
Main Article Content
Keywords
Telecommunications, Universal Service,
Abstract
This paper draws upon a research paper prepared for the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network. The focus of this paper is on the best way to provide every adult with universally available, accessible, affordable and empowering communications. Special attention is given affordability leading to a litmus test of an affordable broadband tariff. The paper proposes two options for delivering universal service objectives in future. One does not require any carrier to be nominated as the universal retail service provider. The other extends Telstra’s current obligations.
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References
ACCC (2015) Changes in the prices paid for telecommunications services in Australia 2013-14 http://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/906_ACCC%20Telecommunications%20reports%202013%E2%80%9314_web_2-June-2015.pdf
ACCC (2015) Draft FAD, Fixed line Services Review, http://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/ACCC%20FSR%20FAD%20Further%20Draft%20Decision%20-%20Public%20Version_1_0.pdf
ACMA (2015) Australians get mobile
ACMA (2015) The Aussie VoIP evolution
ACMA (2013) Connected Citizens: A regulatory strategy for the networked society and information economy.
Australian Government, Department of Communications (2013) Broadband Availability and Quality Report
Australian Government Regional Telecommunications Review, Consultation (2015)
Australian Government Statement of Expectations (2014)
Corbin, Teresa (2015) The Future of the USO in a Multi Technology Environment; talk to Comms Day 20th April 2015
Coutts, Reg (2015) Better telecommunications services for all Australians: Rethinking the USO
De Ridder, J. (2015) Submission to the Bureau of Communications Research, NBN Funding Options Consultation Paper
De Ridder, J.; James R. (2014) Affordable retail pricing on the NBN. Australian Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, Vol 1, No 1, Article 5.
Eardsley, A. (2009). Telecommunications and Community Wellbeing: A review of the literature on access and affordability for low-income and disadvantaged groups. Final report for the Telstra Low Income Measures Assessment Committee (LIMAC). Sydney: Social Policy Research Centre and Journalism and Media Research Centre, University of New South Wales.
Claudio Feijoo; Claire Milne, (2008),"Re-thinking universal service policy for the digital era: setting the scene – an introduction to the special issue on universal service", info, Vol. 10 Iss 5/6 pp. 4 - 11
EC (2005), On the Review of the Scope of Universal Service in Accordance with Article 15 of Directive, 2002/22/EC, COM(2005) 203, May, European Commission, Brussels.
Goggin, Gerard (2010) for ACCAN, Realising Universal Communications
Hawkins, W.; Pavlidis, K. (2015) Affordability and 21st century telecommunications services, ADJTE, Vol.3 No. 2
Humphry, J. (2014) Homeless and Connected: Mobile phones and the Internet in the lives of homeless Australians, Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, Sydney.
Lewin, D; Milne, C. (2010) Are telecommunications services universally affordable across the EU? An independent assessment for Vodafone
Liberal Party of Australia (2013) ‘The Coalition’s Plan for E-Government and the Digital Economy’,
McKinsey; KPMG (2010) NBN Implementation Study
Morsillo, R, (2012) “Broadband affordability in Australia: Looking beyond availability”, in Telecommunications Journal of Australia, Vol. 62, Number 5
Morsillo, R. (2008) Indigenous culture and communications, in Telecommunications Journal of Australia, Vol.58 No. 1
Ofcom (2014) Results of research into consumer views on the importance of communications services and their affordability
Ofcom (2014) Futuresight report on Affordability of essential communications services
Ofcom (2014) Jigsaw report on Affordability of communications services essential for participation
Ofcom (2015) Strategic Review
Pavlidis, K.; Gadir, J. (2013) Improving affordability of communications. Australian Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, Vol 1, No 1, Article 10
Raiche, Holly (2010) for ACCAN, Universal Communications in a Broadband World
South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) (2015) Cost of Living Update, No.22, March Qtr 2015
Telstra (2012) Definitive agreement with NBN
Telstra Access for Everyone
UK Regulators Network (2015) Understanding affordability pressures in essential services.
Vertigan, (2014) Market and Regulatory Report, Vol. 1
ACCC (2015) Draft FAD, Fixed line Services Review, http://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/ACCC%20FSR%20FAD%20Further%20Draft%20Decision%20-%20Public%20Version_1_0.pdf
ACMA (2015) Australians get mobile
ACMA (2015) The Aussie VoIP evolution
ACMA (2013) Connected Citizens: A regulatory strategy for the networked society and information economy.
Australian Government, Department of Communications (2013) Broadband Availability and Quality Report
Australian Government Regional Telecommunications Review, Consultation (2015)
Australian Government Statement of Expectations (2014)
Corbin, Teresa (2015) The Future of the USO in a Multi Technology Environment; talk to Comms Day 20th April 2015
Coutts, Reg (2015) Better telecommunications services for all Australians: Rethinking the USO
De Ridder, J. (2015) Submission to the Bureau of Communications Research, NBN Funding Options Consultation Paper
De Ridder, J.; James R. (2014) Affordable retail pricing on the NBN. Australian Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, Vol 1, No 1, Article 5.
Eardsley, A. (2009). Telecommunications and Community Wellbeing: A review of the literature on access and affordability for low-income and disadvantaged groups. Final report for the Telstra Low Income Measures Assessment Committee (LIMAC). Sydney: Social Policy Research Centre and Journalism and Media Research Centre, University of New South Wales.
Claudio Feijoo; Claire Milne, (2008),"Re-thinking universal service policy for the digital era: setting the scene – an introduction to the special issue on universal service", info, Vol. 10 Iss 5/6 pp. 4 - 11
EC (2005), On the Review of the Scope of Universal Service in Accordance with Article 15 of Directive, 2002/22/EC, COM(2005) 203, May, European Commission, Brussels.
Goggin, Gerard (2010) for ACCAN, Realising Universal Communications
Hawkins, W.; Pavlidis, K. (2015) Affordability and 21st century telecommunications services, ADJTE, Vol.3 No. 2
Humphry, J. (2014) Homeless and Connected: Mobile phones and the Internet in the lives of homeless Australians, Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, Sydney.
Lewin, D; Milne, C. (2010) Are telecommunications services universally affordable across the EU? An independent assessment for Vodafone
Liberal Party of Australia (2013) ‘The Coalition’s Plan for E-Government and the Digital Economy’,
McKinsey; KPMG (2010) NBN Implementation Study
Morsillo, R, (2012) “Broadband affordability in Australia: Looking beyond availability”, in Telecommunications Journal of Australia, Vol. 62, Number 5
Morsillo, R. (2008) Indigenous culture and communications, in Telecommunications Journal of Australia, Vol.58 No. 1
Ofcom (2014) Results of research into consumer views on the importance of communications services and their affordability
Ofcom (2014) Futuresight report on Affordability of essential communications services
Ofcom (2014) Jigsaw report on Affordability of communications services essential for participation
Ofcom (2015) Strategic Review
Pavlidis, K.; Gadir, J. (2013) Improving affordability of communications. Australian Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, Vol 1, No 1, Article 10
Raiche, Holly (2010) for ACCAN, Universal Communications in a Broadband World
South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) (2015) Cost of Living Update, No.22, March Qtr 2015
Telstra (2012) Definitive agreement with NBN
Telstra Access for Everyone
UK Regulators Network (2015) Understanding affordability pressures in essential services.
Vertigan, (2014) Market and Regulatory Report, Vol. 1
Article Sidebar
Published
Dec 29, 2015
Article Details
How to Cite
De Ridder, J. (2015). Who are you going to call? The future of the Universal Service Obligation. Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, 3(4), 108–128. https://doi.org/10.18080/jtde.v3n4.27
Issue
Section
Public Policy
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