Massive response to NBN regulatory reform paper

The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has posted a list of 127 submissions to its 'Regulatory Reform in the 21^st Century' discussion paper, which was announced alongside the Government's plan to build its own National Broadband Network.

According to a spokesperson for Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, there were more submissions that have not been listed as several parties "requested confidentiality as they were entitled to do."

The telecommunications and Internet Service Provider community feature heavily in the submissions - with AAPT, AARNet, Hutchison, iiNet, Internode, Macquarie Telecom, NextGen,  Primus, SP Telemedia, Telstra, TransACT, Unwired and Vodafone all putting forward their views - plus five separate submissions from Singtel-owned Optus.

The Australian Telecommunications Users Group, the Competitive Carriers Coalition and the Australian Computer Society also made submissions.

Over a dozen local councils, plus State Government departments made submissions, as did three energy utilities.

Interestingly, submissions were also made by media players - taking a renewed interest in how their content will be delivered in the future should Foxtel no longer have a monopoly on multi-channel content.

Submissions included Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (PBL), Kerry Stokes' Seven Network, NineMSN, Foxtel, film representatives AFACT (Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft) and curiously -Telstra/Foxtel dominated sports properties including the AFL, NRL and V8 Supercars.

"The submissions support the Government's conviction that regulatory reform is urgently required to deliver better outcomes for consumers while the National Broadband Network is being rolled out," summarised Senator Stephen Conroy.

"The Government is giving careful consideration to the submissions put forward. We are determined to proceed with our reform agenda and we will be working hard to introduce legislation this year."