Internet Australia, the NFP peak body representing Internet users, has told the Productivity Commission it believes the telecommunications Universal Service Obligation should be expanded to include a right to Internet access via fast and affordable broadband.
The Commission is currently holding an inquiry into the USO, which was originally designed to ensure that everyone could have access to a traditional telephone service.
CEO Laurie Patton says "our response is based on the underlying principle of the global Internet Society, of which we are a chapter, that 'The Internet Is For Everyone'. For many people these days Internet access is as important as having a telephone, perhaps more important".