RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE S/NGBT/W/12/Add.6/Rev.2/Corr.1*
10May1996
ORGANIZATION(96-2033)
Original: English Negotiating Group onBasic Telecommunications
COMMUNICATION FROM AUSTRALIA
Draft Offer onBasic Telecommunications
Revision
Corrigendum
Withregard tofootnotes1and2onpage5ofdocument S/NGBT/W/12/Add.6/Rev.2, line2.2
andparagraph 2.2.(a)should readasfollows:
2.2 Interconnection tobeensured1
(a) under non-discriminatory terms, conditions (including technical standards and
specifications) andratesandofaquality nolessfavourable thanthatprovided forits
ownlikeservices orforlikeservices ofnon-affiliated service suppliers orforits
subsidiaries orother affiliates2;
*English only
1Theinterconnection regime toapply inAustralia from 1July1997 (Subject toParliamentary passage of
thenecessary legislation) willprovide access onterms andconditions which arefairandreasonable toallparties
andwhich donotunfairly discriminate between users. Theterms andconditions willbeestablished primarily
through anindustry code ofpractice andthrough publicly available access undertakings byeach carrier. The
code ofpractice andeach carrier 'sundertaking willbesubject toapproval bytheindependent regulator.
2Non-discrimination istaken tomean onanMFN andNational Treatment basis. Inthefully competitive
market inAustralia, therateatwhich interconnection isprovided isdetermined bynegotiation. Bothnegotiating
parties have recourse toanindependent arbitrator which willmake adecision based ontransparent criteria to
ensure thatrates arefairandreasonable inthecircumstances. Thisdoesnotnecessarily result inrates thatare
inallcases accounted thesame asforthecarrier 'sownlikeservices.