Media Release
Organisation: Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives
On behalf of: The Committee Select Committee
For release: 3 November 2016

New proposal to deploy fibre optic cable widely being considered for inclusion in telecommunications bill

The Commerce Committee is currently considering the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. As part of its consideration the committee is proposing to include a new subpart in the bill to encourage the deployment of fibre as widely as possible, including in those areas of the country where it is generally more difficult to deploy fibre optic cable than in urban areas.

New subpart 4 of Part 4 would set out provisions in new sections 155ZQ to 155ZZA that would grant statutory rights of access to use existing electricity works (for example power poles) for deploying fibre optic cable.

The committee would like to give those affected by this proposal the chance to provide their views on the draft text. In particular, the committee would like to test the economics of several assumptions of potential maximum distance from breakout point to end-user premises of 200 metres and 500 metres.

Therefore, today the committee has presented an interim report to Parliament, including the details of the proposal, to enable it to call for and consider submissions on their proposal. The committee invites submitters to provide their feedback on it.

Tell the Commerce Committee what you think

Send your submission on the bill by midnight on Thursday, 10 November 2016.

For more details about the bill:

• Read the Commerce Committee’s interim report on the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Bill

• Read about the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Bill

• Follow the Bill’s progress through Parliament

• See the full text of the bill on the Legislation Website

ENDS

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