NBN Co is seeking further comments on a revised draft of its Wholesale Broadband Agreement. This is in response to ACCC concerns over access to NBN Co services for third parties.
“The NBN will be a national, wholesale-only, fixed line network monopoly. As the interests of monopolies and consumers are not always the same, it is necessary that there is a robust regulatory regime in place to address excessive prices and ensure fair access to the network,” ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.
Industry had raised doubts about the timeframes within which NBN Co was seeking execution of the Wholesale Broadband Agreement by access seekers.
A particular concern was that the agreement potentially allowed for only limited ACCC oversight of the terms and conditions of access to NBN Co’s services.
“The Parliament has recognised the key role that the ACCC should play overseeing NBN access issues. The ACCC therefore expects that NBN Co will structure its access arrangements to allow for regulated outcomes should this prove necessary,” Mr Sims said.
The ACCC and NBN Co have been in extensive discussions over NBN Co’s proposed Special Access Undertaking. The ACCC looks forward to the continuation of those discussions as NBN Co moves towards lodgement of the undertaking.
In addition to delaying the formal publication of the Wholesale Broadband Agreement, NBN Co has extended its current trial agreements until 30 November 2011.