The actions alleged against Telstra by the ACCC today represent the most serious and systematic attacks against competition and competition policy, and again underline why Telstra cannot be trusted to control any new broadband network.

“Member companies of the Competitive Carriers’ Coalition have for years been complaining to the ACCC that Telstra has been frustrating their attempts to exercise their legal rights to access Telstra exchange buildings so they can install their own equipment,” Mr Forman said.

“In some cases Telstra has kept competitors out of exchanges for years, which has stopped consumers from being given the choice of competitive prices and services.

“The CCC welcomes today’s action by the ACCC to take Telstra to court to finally call time on anti-competitive practices.

“However, this also shows why competitors and user representative organisations have been so firm in arguing that the Government cannot allow Telstra or any other owner of the proposed new national broadband network to be both a wholesaler and a retailer of services.

“Telstra’s claims that it will provide for competition on a new network simply can’t be believed when the industry remains mired in intractable debates about the rights of competitors to access even the existing network.

“It is 12 years since the market was supposedly opened to competition, yet the regulator is still forced to go to court to force Telstra to meet its obligations.

“This shows why Telstra was really demanding that the competition rules should not apply if it agreed to build the National Broadband Network.

“If one company owns the monopoly network and is also allowed to sell retail services, the temptation to find ways to disadvantage competitors is simply too great,” Mr Forman said.

Contact

David Forman

Executive Director

CCC Inc

0438121114