The Australian government has introduced new legislation that would mandate the supply of broadband services with peak speeds of at least 25Mbps to all premises in the country.
The proposed Telecommunications Reform Package would require that services provided over the in-construction National Broadband Network (NBN) – even the fixed-wireless and satellite services – would need to be capable of broadband speeds of at least 25Mbps downlink and 5Mbps uplink.
A draft version of the reforms published last December excluded the fixed wireless and satellite components of the network from this obligation.
The legislation would also introduce the government's planned A$7.10 ($5.36) per connection Regional Broadband Scheme, a levy that operators will pay to nbn for each connection capable of download speeds of 25Mbps.
The levy will be used to defray the expected A$9.8 billion in losses over 30 years that are expected to be accrued by the fixed wireless and satellite components of the network due to the shortage of customers.
In a concession for smaller players, the first 25,000 connections serviced by a broadband provider will not be subject to the levy for the first five years.
The new reform package will also mandate the delivery of voice capability over the nbn in fixed line and fixed wireless areas.
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has welcomed the consumer protection measures of the proposed legislation.
“The legislation includes big wins for all consumers, especially for regional, rural and remote consumers,” ACCAN CEO Teresa Corbin said.
“Broadband services are essential for consumers, yet currently, there is no requirement on nbn to connect and provide ongoing services to all premises. We are pleased that consumers can now be reassured that under the proposed legislation all premises must be able to access a broadband network capable of a minimum peak speed of 25Mbps download and 5Mbps upload.”
But she said ACCAN will also be pushing to ensure that public phones will be provided where they are needed and consumers relying on satellite services have access to reliable telephony and broadband services.