Federal Court backs ACCC roaming approach

As discussed in our earlier briefing (see here) the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) determined in October 2017 that it would not declare a wholesale mobile roaming service under Part XIC of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (CCA) at the current time.

Prior to the ACCC making its final determination, Vodafone Hutchinson Australia (Vodafone) had challenged the ACCC's processes in undertaking its inquiry in relation to that potential declaration. On the cusp of the Christmas break, the Federal Court handed down its decision in that case, dismissing the application and supporting the approach taken by the ACCC (Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2017] FCA 1549).