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Consideration of options to address the impact on stakeholders of the annual numbering charge on four types of short-digit access codes – Regulation Impact Statement – Australian Communications and Media Authority

On 4 September 2013, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) tabled (see also here) legislation altering the formula behind the annual numbering charge (ANC) – a per number levy which telecommunications firms that hold phone numbers are required to pay. The changes exempt four types of short-digit access codes from the ANC. The Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) notes that the previous charges levied on the specific short-digit access codes acted as a potential barrier to entry. Exempting these access codes from the ANC may allow greater opportunities for new and smaller firms to enter and fully participate in the telecommunications market, which is likely to benefit consumers. As the total amount raised by the ANC is determined by legislation, exempting these access codes will mean that the levy on other numbers will increase to maintain the total amount raised at the desired level. The RIS was prepared by the ACMA and assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation under the June 2010 Australian Government best practice regulation requirements.