Australia’s telecommunications regulatory body Austel is investigating a claim that Optus Communications Pty Ltd has breached its licence as the country’s second telecommunications carrier by not providing sufficient geographical coverage: it had been required to reach 45% of the population by December 31, but according to statistics from the 1991 census, it has managed only about 35.9%; if Austel rules against Optus, it could impose a maximum fine of about $7m.
