OPTUS WELCOMES NBN IMPLEMENTATION STUDY - WIN FOR COMPETITION

Optus today welcomed the release of the NBN Implementation Study which signifies an important step towards reforming the Australian broadband market and delivering cheap high speed broadband for all Australians.

Paul O'Sullivan, Optus Chief Executive said, "Today represents a major win for competition, with Australia one key step closer to a nationwide, 21st century wholesale-only open access broadband network we so desperately need.

"It's long been our view that the National Broadband Network is economically viable and the release of today's detailed study from McKinsey and KPMG confirms this. Most importantly the study has found that access to the network will be available to all Australians at a price they can afford, which is essential to the healthy take-up of services on the new network.

"With the release of the NBN Implementation Study we are now on a path to building a world class broadband network, a network that will ensure Australia's place in the leading economies of the world.

"Not only is high speed broadband essential to our international competitiveness, it will also deliver enormous benefits in health and education.

"To realise the potential of broadband for the good of all Australians, today and in the future, the network must be built on a level playing field. As the champion of competition, Optus strongly supports the building of a wholesale-only NBN, one which will bring innovation in services and price to a market which has been held back for too long.

"Competition in the Australian telecommunications sector has been held back for years by vested interests intent on maintaining the status quo. We urge them to put their differences aside and ensure that we all gain from the many benefits which high speed broadband will bring.

"Today's study has made it clear the network is viable. The Government has made it clear it's going to build it. Let's get on with it.

"As the Implementation Study now makes clear, the NBN will be financially viable even without the involvement of Telstra.

"So it's time to end this never ending debate over negotiating tactics and focus instead on getting the reform our industry so desperately needs."

Media contact:
Liz Greene
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 8082 7850