Statutory Infrastructure Provider Regulated Broadband Speeds.

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) is pleased to provide this submission on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts’ (the Department) Consultation Paper: Statutory Infrastructure Provider Regulated Broadband Speeds.

The Department is seeking public consultation on a proposal to increase the SIPs minimum speed requirement from 25Mbps to 100 Mbps.  

At face value, ACCAN supports the delivery of faster speeds to households. Raising the minimum standard download speed will establish higher standards for SIPS, to ensure that the scope of compliance accurately reflects the services consumers are currently using (25, 50 and 100 Mbps).

However, ACCAN is concerned that affordability pressures will limit the number of Australian households able to take-up higher speed plans. Without a meaningful passthrough of higher speeds to consumers or developing a concessional broadband product, the proposal to increase the minimum legislated speed will leave many households on lower speed tiers – which will now be sub-standard – and increase the digital divide in Australia.

In this submission, ACCAN recommends the Department:

• Eliminate the sub-100 Mbps speed categories over time, requiring the passthrough of greater speeds from wholesalers to households at existing prices.

• Develop a concessional broadband product to promote maximum household uptake.

• Develop an Independent Price Comparison Tool to promote retailer competition.

• Adopt higher upload speed baselines proportionate to download speed requirements.