"In addition, the extent that it is technically workable for copper to exist alongside FTTN is unclear - so these competitors face a risk that their existing DSLAMs could become stranded. Compounding all of these concerns is the ambiguity as to whether FTTN will even proceed. The ACCC is acutely aware that these concerns need to be resolved promptly if the competitive momentum that has emerged in the past couple of years is to continue."

Talk about requiring certainty in the telco market in order for Australia to advance is not new.

Telstra's general manager of regulatory affairs, Tony Warren, has been a vocal critic of the current state of regulation. He has argued on a regular basis that the telecommunications industry has successfully changed since deregulation; however, the regulation of the industry has not.

In the meantime the industry is approaching the tenth anniversary of the Telecommunications Act of 1997, an act which introduced the concept of self-regulation.

According to Ann Hurley, CEO of the ACIF, this the time for the entire industry to work together on building a future framework.