REG - Telstra Corp. Ld - Response to ACCC mobile roaming inquiry <Origin Href="QuoteRef">TLS.AX</Origin>

TelstraAnnouncement

05/09/2016 07:00

RNS Number : 8927I
Telstra Corporation Ld
05 September 2016
5 September 2016
The Manager
RNS
Telstra Corporation Limited
Office of the Company Secretary
Level 41
242 Exhibition Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
AUSTRALIA
General Enquiries 61 8 8308 1721
Facsimile 61 3 9632 3215
Email:
companysecretary@team.telstra.com
ELECTRONIC LODGEMENT
Dear Sir or Madam
Telstra response to ACCC declaration inquiry on mobile roaming
In accordance with the Listing Rules, I attach a market release for release to the market.
Yours faithfully
Damien Coleman
Company Secretary




MARKET RELEASE
Telstra response to ACCC declaration inquiry on mobile roaming
5 September 2016 - Telstra today responded to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission announcing it would commence an inquiry to determine whether it would declare mobile roaming services.
Telstra Group Executive Corporate Affairs, Dr Tony Warren, said the ACCC had again decided to review mobile roaming after two previous inquiries which found declaration was not required.
"This inquiry means the ACCC will fundamentally determine whether or not regional Australians continue to benefit from investment in mobile communications," Dr Warren said.
"Australia is recognised as being among the best mobile telecommunications environments in the world, which has been the result of sustained investment by multiple mobile network operators.
"Telstra is proud of its commitment to regional and rural Australians and provides the largest and fastest mobile network coverage. In the three years to June 2017, we expect to have invested $5 billion in mobile services nationally. 
"Where there is lack of choice of operators for regional Australians, it is the result of decisions by our competitors to not invest in those areas.
"Declaring mobile roaming would stop coverage being a differentiator in the Australian market and therefore, remove the key rationale for investment in regional Australia for all operators.
"Declaration would ensure there is no incentive for any operator to invest for competitive reasons in many regional areas. In contrast, history shows that when declaration is ruled out, investment flows for regional Australians.
"We have only just been made aware of this inquiry so we must now consider the implications of potential roaming regulation for our investment plans. 
"We look forward to the conclusion of this inquiry as quickly as possible so the industry can get on with providing better mobile coverage and service for regional and rural Australians."
Media contact: Nicole McKechnie, +61 (0) 429 004617
Email:media@team.telstra.com
www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media-centre/
Investor contact: Peter Kopanidis, +61 (0) 412 171673
Email:investor.relations@team.telstra.com
Ref number: 120/2016

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