Commonwealth Numbered Acts Commonwealth Numbered Acts* A universal service regime is established. The main object of the universal service regime is to ensure that all people in Australia, wherever they reside or carry on business, should have reasonable access, on an equitable basis, to:
(a) standard telephone services; and
(b) payphones; and
(c) prescribed carriage services; and
(d) digital data services.
* Provision is made for the National Relay Service (NRS). The NRS provides persons who are deaf or who have a hearing and/or speech impairment with access to a standard telephone service on terms, and in circumstances, that are comparable to the access other Australians have to a standard telephone service.
* Local calls are to be charged for on an untimed basis.
* The ACA may make performance standards to be complied with by carriage service providers in relation to customer service.
* Certain carriers and carriage service providers must enter into the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman scheme.
* Provision is made for the protection of residential customers of carriage service providers against failure by the providers to supply standard telephone services.
* The ACA may impose requirements on carriers, carriage service providers and certain other persons in relation to emergency call services.
* Telstra is subject to price control arrangements.
* This Act regulates telephone sex services.
* The Minister may direct Telstra to take action directed towards ensuring that Telstra complies with this Act.