Summary

Amends the: Radiocommunications Act 1992, Telecommunications Act 1997 and Trade Practices Act 1974 to prevent Telstra from acquiring specified bands of spectrum which could be used for advanced wireless broadband services unless it structurally separates and divests its hybrid fibre coaxial cable network and its interests in Foxtel; National Transmission Network Sale Act 1998, Telecommunications Act 1997 and Trade Practices Act 1974 to require the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to: set up-front prices and non-price terms for declared services; make binding rules of conduct for the supply of declared services; remove the option to apply for exemptions from access obligations or undertakings; and remove merits review of regulatory decisions made by the ACCC; Trade Practices Act 1974 to: remove the requirement for the ACCC to undertake consultation before issuing a Part A competition notice; and clarify that content services supplied by carriers and carriage service providers are subject to the competition notice regime; Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 to: require the universal service provider to supply standard telephone services and payphones as determined by the minister; and provide for the minister to establish minimum Customer Service Guarantee performance benchmarks; and Telecommunications Act 1997 to: require service providers to offer a priority assistance service; and establish an infringement notice regime to deal with breaches of civil penalty provisions.