Telecommunications universal service obligation
Public inquiry
This inquiry is complete. The Australian Government asked the Productivity Commission to undertake a 12-month inquiry into the future direction of a universal service obligation (USO) in the telecommunications market.
- Issues paper 7 Jun 2016
- Draft report 6 Dec 2016
- Final report 19 Jun 2017
The issues paper covered a range of issues on which the Commission sought information and feedback, and was intended to assist you in preparing a submission.
Initial submissions were due by 21 July 2016.
The Commission sought further information and feedback on the draft report. Submissions were due by 20 January 2017.
The final report was handed to the Australian Government on 28 April 2017 and publicly released on 19 June 2017.
The primary policy question addressed in this inquiry is to what extent, in the evolving Australian telecommunications market, Government policies may be required to support universal access to a minimum level of retail telecommunications services.
This involves a consideration of the nature, scope and objectives of a universal service obligation, whether the retail market for relevant services will deliver appropriate outcomes for consumers without Government intervention and, if not, what options should be considered by Government to deliver universal services and the costs and benefits of these interventions.
Government response
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Media release: Productivity Commission Inquiry into the Universal Service Obligation