The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will be putting the communications sector under the microscope, with a market study to examine issues of competition and efficiency in the industry.

The study aims to identify emerging trends and issues in the industry surrounding communications services such as mobile, over the top (OTT) services and broadband.

ACCC chairman Rod Sims says given the significant change in the sector there was a need for the ACCC to examine the market.

“Rapidly evolving technological developments, structural change within the sector, product innovation, and changing consumer preferences are all contributing to this change,” Sims says.

“We recognise the communications sector is one that all Australians have an interest in, and one that facilitates economic growth. Importantly, the study will also allow the ACCC to consider a wide range of interrelated issues that have been raised by the sector and that go to the proper functioning of the market.

“The study will examine the changing landscape and identify any issues preventing the use of innovation and investment to deliver the benefits of competition to consumers.”

In its preliminary discussions with stakeholders, the ACCC has identified a number of areas to examine including the availability of OTT services. It references social network platforms communications and marketplace apps.

It also pointed to the demand for bandwidth and data given the increase in streaming music and video and the use of mobile as a way to access the internet.

Other topics to examine include the structure of the communications market particularly in the impact of the NBN.

A consultation period for the study will start with an issues paper and a draft of findings before the study is published in 2017.

Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au

Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.