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The ACCC will extend the expiry date of the wholesale ADSL (WADSL) service until 30 June 2024. IAA commented on this consultation in September 2021. We advocated for the WADSL to be extended as it is still used in regional areas where competition remains weak and Telstra operates its copper network without much alternative. The ACCC referenced IAA’s submission in their Final Decision paper.

SBAS Access Determination Inquiry | ACCC
IAA responded to the Superfast broadband access services (SBAS) access determination inquiry Discussion Paper in December. In our submission, we advocated that the Regional Broadband Scheme levy should be absorbed by SBAS providers instead of being passed through to RSPs and users. We also argued that SBAS and FAB providers should disclose key network service quality/reliability metrics to RSPs.

Telecommunications Draft Determination – Consumer Data Rights | The Treasury
After conducting a Telecommunications Sectoral Assessment last year, the Department of Treasury decided to recommend the telco sector be designated for the CDR. In December, we commented on the Draft Designation, wherein we pointed out that the cost of implementing and running the CDR, especially for smaller telecommunications providers, is excessively high in comparison to the benefits. We also flagged the importance of a clear demarcation point of the threshold for telco providers captured by CDR, as this can provide certainty for industry.

Customer Identity Verification Determination (CIV) 2021 | ACMA
ACMA introduced a determination which seeks to impose multi-factor authentication (MFA) requirements on CSPs for all customer interactions at high-risk of fraud. We responded to this determination in December. A code released by Comms Alliance covered similar ground to the Determination, but provides CSPs with much more flexibility on how to meet the requirements. In our submission, we extended our support to measures CSPs can implement that reduce customer fraud, however, argued that for smaller CSPs, some MFA and reporting requirements may be difficult to meet.

Privacy Act Review | Attorney General’s Department
The Attorney General’s Department is conducting a review of the Privacy Act 1988 which seeks to expand the scope and application of the Act and how it is regulated and enforced. As part of its review, the Department released a Discussion Paper looking at the expansion of definitions to include greater types of technical data, consider the appropriateness of exemptions including for small businesses, and the introduction of a direct cause of action and statutory tort. We advocated for the development of an effective and practical privacy regime which balances the legitimate commercial need of businesses to monetize the data they collect whilst also protecting the rights of individuals to maintain privacy and control over their data.

 

Draft Rules Register of Critical Infrastructure & Mandatory Reporting Scheme | 1 February 2022
Following the amendment of the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI Act) in December 2021, the Minister is proposing to apply additional security obligations, including requiring certain new assets to provide operational and ownership information to the Register of Critical Infrastructure Assets, and the introduction of mandatory cyber incident reporting. The telecommunications sector will not be deemed subject to these obligations, as opposed to the initial recommendations and proposals. However, the Rules will apply to asset classes including broadcasting, domain name, and data storage or processing.

Exposure Draft Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure Protection) Bill | 1 February 2022
The Exposure Draft proposes further amendments to the SOCI Act. This Bill is part two of the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Act enacted in December 2021. It will introduce a Risk Management Program and enhanced security obligations. IAA will respond regarding concerns about the expanded powers that would give the Minister the ability to privately declare an asset as of national interest which would increase the requirements and burdens on deemed businesses.

Electronic Surveillance Framework Discussion Paper | 11 February 2022
The Department of Home Affairs is embarking on an overhaul of Australia’s electronic surveillance framework. This review would repeal the various legislation which currently contains powers to create a comprehensive framework. Whilst IAA supports the harmonization of regulations to replace the current complex and inconsistent regime; there are concerns that the new framework will be overreaching and excessive.

The Attorney General’s office will be concluding its public hearing on the Social Media (Anti-Trolling) Bill 2021. This Bill addresses the High Court decision in Fairfax Media Publications v Voller [2021], which saw Australians who maintain a social media page may be liable for defamatory comments posted on their page by others to provide some protection from defamation liability.

Members are reminded that our old racks in Global Switch were turned off on Thursday 27th January 2022 at 4:30pm AEDT. If you had any cross connects to MMR3 Rack 4 or MMR2 Rack 48, please don’t forget to remove or relocate them. Let us know if you need any assistance by emailing us at peering@internet.asn.au 

We are excited to announce that we’re currently exploring opportunities to expand our network. Based on the team’s strategic planning session earlier this month, we thought it best to ask our Corporate and Affiliate members directly – where should we expand?

The survey is designed to determine where you would like us to build the next IX and if you would like to see any new points of presence on existing IXes. We’re also thinking of expanding into regional areas and would appreciate your thoughts on the locations.

As a member-run association, this survey gives us clear input on the best upgrade and expansion paths for our network. If you are a Corporate or Affiliate member, please take the time to complete the survey by Friday 4th March 2022, 5:00pm AEDT. So, go on – tell us where to go!

 

Our engineers applied new firmware to WA-IX to resolve a software bug – the switch located in QV1 (pe3.pe1) and NextDC P1 (pe2.pe5). The latest version has been tested in our lab and verified for deployment. This is the first of many firmware upgrades that will be progressively rolled out across all the IXes, as we prepare for automation and standardise the firmware across our hardware.

This year marks 25 years of WA-IX. As many of you know, our first Point of Presence (PoP) was located in the basement of QV1 and is still part of our network today. The action of creating the first PoP was described by Michael Malone – president of WAIA in 1997 – as “a laudable display of cooperation between competitors.”

First conceived in 1996 at a time when most people were using the wholesalers of the day: AARNet, connect.com.au or Access1, the traffic was very costly both internationally and locally ($1.46 per MB sent and received). Those who were part of WAIA at the time generally agreed that an IX was a great idea and that a neutral peering point made a lot of sense.

The first PoP comprised donated hardware from iiNet with engineers from iiNet, Wantree and Omen jointly managing it on a volunteer basis. Since then, our network has expanded significantly, and we now have more than 30 PoPs nationally.

A snippet from the original press release, “As of about half an hour ago, iiNet and Omen are the first two networks peering at the WA Internet Exchange. […] Wantree and Paradox digital expect to be connected to the peering point within a week, and PARNet (the four public universities and CSIRO) should be on by mid-July” – Michael Malone, 1997. Read the full version of the 1997 press release.

IAA is excited to announce the formation of the IAA Public Policy Advisory Panel (PPAP). We are seeking applications from interested members with diverse experience across the Internet sector bringing industry knowledge and expertise to inform IAA’s policy positions and provide advice on Internet regulation. Whether you’re in the regulatory section of your organisation or have experience and a keen interest in Internet policy, we need your help to make Internet regulation better!

The PPAP will consist of 5 to 10 members, who will advise and make recommendations on IAA policy positions.

It’s important we get a range of viewpoints from right across our membership. We are looking for a Panel that will provide a diverse perspective: ranging from B2C or B2B ISPs, content providers, ISPs operating in regional locations, and Internet policy or governance experts from organizations ranging from small to large. Your real world, on the ground experience dealing with the realities of how the regulation hits your work will be invaluable.

Once chosen (and approved by the IAA Board), panellists will serve annual terms for up to three years and act in a voluntary capacity. We expect the PPAP will meet up to four times per year and participate in vibrant discussion.

If you are interested in having a say in the formation of the policy positions IAA takes, please submit an application through our website.

Applications close 28 February 2022, 5:00pm AEDT.

As always, December is a crazy month! We managed to achieve many things as a team, including the successful recruitment of a new policy officer, organising several member events, making numerous submissions and planning for all the wonderful things we have coming up next year.

As we are currently down a peering engineer, the tech team have been working even harder to ensure our network runs smoothly. If you know anyone who may be interested in working with us, please get in contact at admin@internet.asn.au

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