Telstra’s mobile blackspot program specifications have been prohibitive and have blocked other telcos’ access to infrastructure, according to Vodafone.
Vodafone says that while it wanted to “collocate” (ie, piggy back) on more than 100 of Telstra’s base stations under-round one of the Federal Government’s mobile blackspot program, it was unable to do so, due to cost and technical barriers imposed by the incumbent – ie, Telstra.
In a submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Vodafone said that Telstra had raised barriers in terms of both costs and not providing sufficient space for potential collocated carriers.
“Contrary to the spirit and letter of the program’s guidelines, Telstra negotiated a specification for collocation space on its towers which was substantially less than the minimum required for the standard space and weight requirements of collocation seekers,” Vodafone’s submission said.
