Hi everyone,
Well, what a year this has been! So much is still happening across our services, advocacy, and events. As we reflected at our AGM, one priority runs through all we do and that’s delivering value for our Members.
It has been great to see support for our campaign for proportionate and practical telecommunications regulation continuing to grow. Since we published our open letter to Minister Anika Wells on 26 October, support has more than doubled to over 20 signatories, spanning small ISPs through to publicly listed telcos.
You’re all telling us the same thing: strong consumer protections matter, but the cumulative cost and complexity of regulation are putting providers under heavy pressure, with many of us highly sceptical as to whether these measures will deliver much in the way of positive outcomes. Members are potentially being made to make significant changes to billing and IT systems, with uncertain timeframes, and potential liability for things outside their control. Some are actively considering leaving the market. That should concern anyone who values competition and choice.
The proposed TCP Standard is a major focus of the changes, but our concerns extend right across the regulatory agenda. Through our submission to the Senate inquiry into the Digital Duty of Care Bill, we’re also challenging the unfair imposition of online safety obligations on ISPs with respect to the content shared across their networks, when ISPs have little to no control over content at all.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this work. Please keep sharing your experience with us; this genuinely help us make the case for meaningful change.
Speaking of meaningful change, we have made considerable improvement in our IX services this year. Delivering lower port and iVLL pricing, the relaunch of Cloud Connect, and new contract options are all about returning value to Members. Investment in automation has helped make these changes possible, giving Members more control over services while allowing us to pass on savings.
Our approach to iVLL reflects IAA’s role in providing economical shared infrastructure while supporting our Members’ commercial activities. It offers best-effort inter-capital connectivity at speeds up to 5 Gbps to help cover the connectivity costs of our shared content network. We’re also developing a Member partner programme to connect those needing higher capacity or business-grade services to those Members who can supply them.
Underlying these changes is a substantial investment in automation. Members can now provision and manage services directly through the Portal, with routine changes taking effect in a matter of minutes at a time that suits you. Moving connection services to monthly billing in arrears also gives us the flexibility to accommodate changes during the month, while ports remain billed monthly in advance.
It’s been good to balance all that work with opportunities to catch up. Thank you to everyone who joined our AGM and our Tournament of Peers events in Adelaide and last night in Perth. There’s still time to join us in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane for darts, conversation, and some friendly competition.
Finally, thank you to our Board, staff, and Members for another year of contributions, feedback, and support. It’s what makes this Association work. My thanks to Matthew Enger and Brett O’Hara for their leadership and support as they conclude their terms as Chair and Deputy Chair, respectively. Both will continue to serve on the Board, with Brett re-elected at the AGM. Congratulations to all our elected Directors, and thank you to everyone who stood for election and to the Members who voted. Our volunteer Board gives generously of its time and expertise to guide the Association.
Happy peering!
Narelle
Question from the desk
How is the growing regulatory workload affecting your business, and what would make the biggest difference?
