The Office of the Telecommunications Authority is seeking public views on the review of the Local Access Charge regime.

The regime governs the payment of the interconnection charge by providers of External Telecommunications Services to local network operators for the conveyance of external telecommunications traffic.

In the consultation paper published today, the office has identified four possible options the future regime can adopt. They include:

* maintaining the status quo;

* aligning regulation of the regime for both the fixed network operators and mobile network operators;

* deregulating the level of Local Access Charge; and,

* fully deregulating the whole regime.

The office is open to any one of these options, or other options that the industry may propose. It will take into account all respondents' views and opinions before making a decision on the way forward.

If necessary, the office will conduct further consultations on issues that have been identified in the consultation exercise.