TUSMA is a statutory agency with responsibility for managing contracts and grants with service providers that ensure all Australians continue to have reasonable access to universal telecommunications services.
TUSMA is charged with overseeing the delivery of public-interest telecommunications services as efficiently and effectively as possible. It has a key focus on keeping costs low whilst maintaining safeguards that protect the interests of consumers.
Through effective contract management, TUSMA ensures that Australians continue to have access to the public-interest services. These services include the delivery of the Universal Service Obligation for standard telephone services and payphones, the handling and transferring of calls to emergency service organisations (Triple Zero (000) calls), provision of the National Relay Service for people with a speech or hearing impairment, and ensuring delivery of untimed local calls to people in extended zones (generally in regional and remote areas of Australia).
TUSMA will put in place arrangements with retail service providers to meet the costs of basic in-home cabling required to enable a connection to the NBN fibre network for voice-only customers.
TUSMA operates on the principles of transparency with rigorous accountability and reporting requirements. It is funded by a combination of dedicated government budget funding and industry contributions through levy arrangements. The government is making a substantial contribution towards the cost of the consumer safeguards of at least $50 million per annum during 2012–13 and 2013–14 and $100 million per annum after that. TUSMA's residual costs are met through a consolidated industry levy with contributions made by telecommunications carriers based on eligible revenue.
Legislation
- Telecommunications Universal Service Management Agency Act 2012
- Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Service Reform) Act 2012
- Telecommunications (Industry Levy) Act 2012
Portfolio Budget Statements
Budget information for TUSMA is contained in the Portfolio Budget Statements for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Portfolio and is available from the website of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
- 2013–14 Australian Government Budget—BCDE portfolio
- 2012–13 Australian Government Budget—BCDE portfolio
Key people
CEO—Mr Robert Lomdahl
Mr Robert Lomdahl is the CEO of the Telecommunications Universal Service Management Agency.
He has held senior executive roles in strategy, program and project delivery, business development and strategy, service delivery, customer experience, public affairs and regulatory management in telecommunications over a 17-year period.
He also has substantial experience in public policy, having worked as a public policy and corporate affairs management consultant for Allen Consulting Group and the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Robert holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil Engineering) and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Melbourne.