The Australian government has passed two Bills that set out the regulatory framework for the company that will run its National Broadband Network, NBN Co.
According to a government statement, the relevant legislation passed through its Senate to the…
The Australian government has passed two Bills that set out the regulatory framework for the company that will run its National Broadband Network, NBN Co.
According to a government statement, the relevant legislation passed through its Senate to the House of Representatives yesterday, with amendments to ensure uniform wholesale pricing.
Senator Stephen Conroy, Australia’s minister for broadband, communications and the digital economy, said: “The Bills set out a clear regulatory framework to provide that NBN Co will operate on a wholesale-only, open and equivalent access basis, delivering long term benefits for competition and consumers.”
The National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 sets out a regulatory framework for the wholesale-only part of NBN Co. Meanwhile, the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures – Access Arrangements) Bill 2011 amends previous competition and telecoms acts to introduce new transparency and non-discrimination obligations for NBN Co’s wholesale services.
Conroy added that the Bills “provide clarity and certainty to industry and the wider community on the future operation” of its network.
In a statement released on 17 March, Australian incumbent Telstra said it would delay a shareholder vote on its participation in the country’s national broadband network.
Telstra said talks with NBN Co were “progressing well but the size and complexity of the deal meant that it would not be ready to go to a shareholder vote on July 1 as planned …Work continues to reach final agreement as soon as possible”.
Telstra and NBN Co were unable to comment before going to press.
