News: TPG Australia's ACCC Says Mobile Tower Access May Be Limiting Regional Mobile Coverage...

Oct 23 (Reuters) - Australia's ACCC:

• MOBILE TOWER ACCESS MAY BE LIMITING REGIONAL MOBILE COVERAGE EXPANSION
• SALE OF MOBILE TOWERS BY AUSTRALIA’S THREE MOBILE NETWORK OPERATORS TO LARGE SPECIALIST TOWER COS CHANGED STRUCTURE OF MOBILE TELECOM INDUSTRY
• WAS ASKED BY AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT TO INQUIRE INTO ACCESS TO TOWERS & OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE USED IN SUPPLY OF MOBILE SERVICES IN REGIONAL AREAS
• FINAL REPORT HAS 20 FINDINGS ON ISSUES RELATING TO ACCESS TO MOBILE TOWERS, THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, CONSUMER EXPERIENCES
• TELSTRA, OPTUS AND TPG TELECOM STILL DRIVE COMMUNICATIONS INVESTMENT DECISIONS IN REGIONAL, RURAL AND REMOTE AUSTRALIA
• ASKED BY GOVERNMENT TO EXAMINE FEASIBILITY OF TEMPORARY MOBILE ROAMING DURING NATURAL DISASTERS, OR OTHER EMERGENCIES
• CONSEQUENCE OF CHANGE IN MOBILE TOWER OWNERSHIP IS THAT REGULATORY REGIME DOES NOT APPLY TO ALL MAJOR COMPANIES THAT NOW HAVE TOWERS
• TELSTRA, OPTUS AND TPG TELECOM STILL DECIDE WHERE THEY WANT TO PROVIDE GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE

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