REG - Telstra Corp. Ld - ACCC draft decision on mobile roaming welcomed <Origin Href="QuoteRef">TLS.AX</Origin>

TelstraAnnouncement

05/05/2017 07:05

RNS Number : 2680E
Telstra Corporation Ld
05 May 2017
5 May 2017
The Manager
RNS
Office of the Company Secretary
Level 41
242 Exhibition Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
AUSTRALIA
General Enquiries 08 8308 1721
Facsimile 03 9632 3215

ELECTRONIC LODGEMENT
Dear Sir or Madam
Telstra welcomes ACCC draft decision on mobile roaming 
In accordance with the Listing Rules, I attach a market release for release to the market. 
Telstra's Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Penn and Group Executive Corporate Affairs, Tony Warren will discuss the ACCC draft decision on mobile roaming on a conference call today at 11:45 AEST. 
This will be an audio only presentation, webcast live at: 
https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/investors/key-dates/investor-presentations.
A transcript of the call will be lodged with the ASX when available.
Yours faithfully
Damien Coleman
Company Secretary


MARKET RELEASE
Telstra welcomes ACCC draft decision on mobile roaming 
5 May 2017: Telstra today welcomed the ACCC's draft decision not to declare mobile roaming. 
Chief Executive Officer Andrew Penn said the ACCC's decision clearly recognised the overwhelming call from regional Australia to continue encouraging telecommunications investment and competition. 
"This is the right decision for the people, businesses and communities of regional Australia because it ensures the industry still has the incentives to invest," Mr Penn said. 
"Dozens of community groups, business leaders, local councils and politicians from across the country made submissions to the ACCC. The overwhelming call from regional Australia was that their top priority was encouraging telecommunications investment to improve and extend mobile coverage. 
"Last year Telstra committed to keep investing to improve and expand our mobile network in regional, rural and remote areas. Through our own direct investment, as well as co-investment, we expect to see up to $1 billion of investment flow to small towns and regional centres across the country over the next five years. 
"We also support the ACCC's suggestion to encourage greater transparency about network quality, expansions and improvements. 
"If this decision is confirmed we will immediately move to expand our 4G coverage to reach 99% of the population by later this year. It also paves the way for ongoing investment in the coming years that would see an additional 1.4 million square kilometres of 4G coverage for regional and rural Australia. This means that about 600 base stations will be upgraded from 3G to 4G giving the Australian population access to a world leading 4G network. 
"This draft decision means we are one step closer to being able to get on with this exciting work that will have positive impacts on people who live, work and visit regional areas. 
"If this decision is confirmed, I look forward to Telstra getting on with the job of supporting regional Australia with even more investment." 
Media contact: Nicole McKechnie, +61 (0) 429 004 617 
Email: media@team.telstra.com 
Investor contact: Peter Kopanidis, +61 (0) 412 171 673 
Email: investor.relations@team.telstra.com

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
  END
MSCOKPDQDBKKAPK