In March 2000 the Government announced its intention to introduce two pilot projects in regional areas to test new arrangements for contestability in delivering the Universal Service Obligation (USO). This initiative is a key element of the Government's commitment to introduce competition into the delivery of the USO.
On 23 August 2000, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts announced that the two pilot projects will be undertaken in:
- the Greater Green Triangle of south-west Victoria and south east South Australia, expanded to include the Central Goldfields and Greater Bendigo and
- north-east New South Wales and the Queensland Downs, stretching from Kempsey in NSW, inland, to Caloundra Shire in Queensland.
This Discussion Paper outlines how the former ACA intended to implement the USO contestability arrangements. Throughout the Discussion Paper issues are highlighted on which the former ACA invited comment.
- Implementation of USO contestability pilot projects - discussion paper (1.4 mb)
- Implementation of USO contestability pilot projects - discussion paper (165 kb)
Comments can be sent by email to the ACMA's Resources and Industry Section.
The closing date for submissions was Monday 13 November 2000.
