The transition from monopoly to competition in Australian telecommunications

An effective telecommunications infrastructure is of vital importance for the economical and social growth of a geographically isolated country such as Australia. The reform policy chosen by Australia introduces competition in the supply of network facilities for public network services by licensing a second end-to-end facility carrier under a duopoly arrangement. The Australian approach to the introduction of competition can be seen as a learning experience for other countries still dominated by national PTTs. Little is known in Europe about the Australian telecommunications environment and the effects of the recent telecommunications reforms on the telecommunications infrastructure in Australia. These factors combined to make the Australian telecommunications environment an interesting and dynamic subject for research.