Australia: ACCC to allow NBN competitors to pass on levy

Australia’s competition regulator will allow non-NBN (National Broadband Network) high-speed internet providers to pass on federal government’s proposed $7-a-month levy for regional services to customers.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has finalised a ruling that non-NBN high-speed internet providers will set the prices of their service in line with those on the national broadband network.

The regulator has shifted stance on the cost of the federal government’s proposed Regional Broadband Scheme charge – scheduled to come into force in July – under which urban users will subsidise expensive regional NBN services.

‘Consistent with our draft decision, the prices have been set in line with NBN prices and will change with NBN prices over time,’ ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.

‘We expect that these price changes will help deliver better service performance for customers of non-NBN networks as they will allow retailers to provide faster services at a lower average price.’

Full Content: The Motley Fool

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