Intelligent CIO APAC Issue 22 | Page 42

FEATURE : 5G
Neutral hosting model
Another big concern of Commpete ’ s is the lack of competition in regional Australia ’ s mobile sector , where choice and quality of mobile services are significantly limited compared to those in urban areas .
It says extensive public funding for improved regional mobile infrastructure by all levels of government

COMMPETE BELIEVES THAT INFRASTRUCTURE – WHETHER IT BE MOBILE 5G , FIXED WIRELESS , SATELLITE , FIBER TO THE PREMISES ( FTTP ) – SHOULD BE INCREASINGLY TREATED AS A TECHNOLOGY AGNOSTIC PLATFORM .

has failed to address this issue . Rather , it claims , consumer benefit from this spending has been limited and no increase in competition has resulted from this investment of public money .
“ Commpete considers it critical that any public funding of mobile infrastructure mandates that access to such infrastructure is made available on an open access basis to maximize its competitive and consumer benefit ,” Lim said .
“ This could be facilitated by domestic roaming arrangements or a successful neutral hosting model . We call on the Government and regulators to take active steps to encourage the development and uptake of this approach .”
Regulatory oversight of the NBN
One of Commpete ’ s measures for the success of NBN policy as well as the health and vibrancy of competition in the fixed telco market is the aggregated market share of challengers . Commpete adopted 30 % combined market share as the benchmark of success , which was the outcome forecast by the government ’ s advisors 10 years ago . Yet , challengers are currently well below that benchmark , at about 11 %.
Lim said : “ We would like to see the government begin to think about and specify what the NBN Companies Act calls ‘ unacceptable private ownership or control situations ’.
“ We would also like to see NBN Co significantly reduce its cost base and move to a flat rate pricing .
“ We see one as enabling the other , because a lower cost base provides the headroom to lower pricing and to do away with any need for the variable connectivity virtual circuit ( CVC ) charge .
“ Finally , we ’ d like to see the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ( ACCC ) deal itself back into the game by ensuring any revised special access undertaking ( SAU ) gives the ACCC a greater regulatory
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