Telecommunications policies

These telecommunications policies help to provide guidance on the provision of the telecommunications infrastructure in Australia.

NBN Co Statement of Expectations (SoE)

• The Australian Government’s Statement of Expectations is to ensure that all Australians have access to fast* broadband with peak wholesale download data speeds of at least 25Mbps*, and at least 50Mbps* for 90 per cent of Fixed Line premises. nbn is working to support this objective through the completion of the nbn™ broadband access network by 2020. For more information on the purpose of the nbn™ access network, read the Government’s Statement of Expectations.

Universal Service Obligation (USO)

• Telstra has a Universal Service Obligation (USO) to ensure standard telephone services and payphones are reasonably accessible to all people in Australia on an equitable basis, wherever they work or live. The current USO does not include broadband or internet services.

Migration Assurance Policy

• The nbn™ access network is an open access, national wholesale telecommunications network. The nbn™ access network will replace existing copper networks and some HFC (Hybrid Fibre Co-Axial) networks, which will progressively shut down as the nbn™ Fixed Line network is rolled out.^ Most homes and businesses using these copper and HFC networks in nbn™ Fixed Line roll out areas will need to move to the nbn™ access network (or another network) to maintain landline phone and internet services.^
• The Government’s Migration Assurance Policy has been developed in conjunction with nbn, Telstra, and the industry, featuring a policy statement and framework that sets out who is involved in the migration process, and what they need to do to support the transition of services.

Telstra Cease Sale Provision

• Most services over Telstra’s existing copper and HFC networks will cease to be offered once the nbn™ access network becomes available at a premises in nbn™ Fixed Line areas. 
• Telstra’s Migration Plan requires Telstra to cease supplying most types of new copper and HFC services to premises that are serviceable by nbn after the Cease Sale Commencement Date for an area. Generally, this date occurs ten business days after the area is classified as ‘ready for service’ by nbn.
• Premises in nbn™ Fixed Wireless or Sky Muster™ satellite areas can choose to maintain their existing services over the copper network.

Telecommunications Infrastructure in New Developments

• The Australian Government has published a detailed policy on the provision of telecommunications infrastructure for new developments. It details what you should do if you are a new home buyer or developer – to ensure your development has timely access to modern broadband and phone services.
• Under the new Telecommunications Infrastructure in New Developments Policy, developers are responsible for contributing to the cost of delivering telecommunications infrastructure to a new development.
• To support the roll out of telecommunications in new developments, Part 20A of the Telecommunications Act and associated rules requires developers to provide ‘fibre ready facilities’ in each building unit or lot in a new real estate development.
• Under the Telecommunications Infrastructure in New Developments Policy, the standard notice period to a carrier is six months (180 calendar days) prior to the development’s estimated first occupancy date. Six months is the minimum notice developers must give and the maximum notice carriers can ask for – parties are entitled to agree to alternative arrangements if it suits them.

Infrastructure Provider of Last Resort (IPOLR) in new developments

• Developers are entitled to choose any telecommunications carrier to service their development.
• The IPOLR policy means that, regardless of where the developer chooses to locate their development, at least one party must provide the developer with a commercial offer for telecommunications services.
• Under the Telecommunications Infrastructure in New Developments Policy, the IPOLR falls to either Telstra or nbn: 
  • nbn is the IPOLR in larger new developments (100 lots or more), regardless of whether the nbn™ access network has started rolling out in an area.
  • Telstra is the IPOLR for smaller developments (less than 100 lots), until the nbn™ access network rollout commences in a community. Generally speaking, this milestone is triggered when the nbn™ online rollout map is updated to reflect construction has commenced (brown shading). To find out if nbn is the IPOLR for your address, please contact us or if you are ready to connect to the nbn™ access network, submit an application using the pre-qualification online tool.
  • The scope of Telstra’s IPOLR obligation relates to the provision of a Standard Telephone Service, not broadband/internet.
• To avoid delays in having a development serviced, we encourage all developers to apply for the nbn™ access network as soon as possible. The first step is to visit www.nbn.com.au/newdevelopments and fill out an online application form. Our account management team will contact the developer within five working days to discuss the application. nbn asks that developers apply at least six months before your required service date to ensure the network can be connected in time for your new residents.
• If nbn (acting as the IPOLR) is not given sufficient notice to provide telecommunications services, this may result in occupants being without broadband or phone services for longer than they expect.