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While we're all debating the economics of DSL vs NBN fibre, most
here might be aware that the period for comments on the draft NBN
changes to the Telecommunications Act (the 'anti-cherry-picking
amendments' :-) and the Competition and Consumer Act (the old Trade
Practices Act) amongst others are due tomorrow.<br>
<br>
See
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/ec_ctte/nbn_bills/index.htm">http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/ec_ctte/nbn_bills/index.htm</a>
and the bill itself at
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr4496%22">http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr4496%22</a><br>
<br>
I'm working on a submission, but want to bring your collective
attention to the following proposed paragraph, and others throughout
the proposed legislation in case you hadn't seen it in
black-and-white before - the 'big customers can get discounts'
clause : - I only saw it properly last night.<br>
<br>
In Section 3, page 56 of the PDF:<span class="CharSectno"><br>
<br>
<b>152ARA</b></span><b> Layer 2 bitstream services to be
supplied on a non-discriminatory basis<br>
<br>
</b>[cut]<b><br>
<br>
</b>
<blockquote type="cite">
(4) The rule in subsection (1) does not prevent
discrimination if:
<p class="paragraph">
(a) the discrimination aids efficiency; and</p>
<p class="paragraph">
(b) all access seekers with like circumstances have an equal
opportunity to benefit from the discrimination; and</p>
<p class="paragraph">
(c) in a case where the discrimination involves a discount,
allowance, rebate or credit given or allowed, or offered to be
given or allowed, on the condition that the access seeker
acquires,
or agrees to acquire, a particular volume, number, quantity or
amount of goods, services or other things:</p>
<p class="paragraphsub">
(i) a special access undertaking given by the carrier or
carriage service provider is in operation; and</p>
<p class="paragraphsub">
(ii) the discount, allowance, rebate or credit is in
accordance with terms and conditions specified in the
undertaking.</p>
</blockquote>
<br>
...Just in case there are some people on the list that might want to
rush up a submission - in the interests of their future operational
efficiency, naturally.<br>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="86">--
Paul.</pre>
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