The Federal Government's recent broadband announcement is more than a back to the future approach to telecommunications - it's a radical step towards the regulation of Telstra which may have ramifications for other markets dominated by larger suppliers and former state owned monopolies, writes Michael Peters, lecturer in business law at the Australian School of Business.

In an opinion piece published in the Australian Financial Review, Mr Peters argues that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has been unable to effectively regulate Telstra to provide affordable access to its network. This means that taxpayers will now have to fund the creation of a new network and competitor to Telstra.

He writes that regardless of the productivity outcomes promised by the broadband network, perhaps it's the enforcement of competition law which should be the focus of policy makers.

The full opinion piece is available here.

Media Contact: Marie Kelly | 02 9385 5895 | mariek@unsw.edu.au