OPTUS WELCOMES ACCC DRAFT DECISION TO ALLOW CABLE NETWORK CUSTOMERS TO SHIFT TO NBN

Optus today welcomed the ACCC’s draft decision to approve the agreement between Optus and NBN Co to migrate Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) cable customers to the new National Broadband Network. Optus and NBN Co announced this agreement in June 2011, conditional on ACCC approval.

Paul O’Sullivan, Chief Country Officer, Australia said, “The ACCC’s draft decision recognises the practical outcome of Optus’ agreement with NBN Co will be to drive significantly greater retail competition and product innovation, which can only benefit telecommunications consumers.

“With ACCC approval, Optus will be able to redirect resources away from having to maintain its existing HFC network towards offering a greater depth and breadth of services to retail customers on a single national platform.

“The agreement will enable Optus to gradually decommission its HFC network and move customers over to the NBN from 2014 once the network is ready for service in those areas.

Optus today welcomed the ACCC’s draft decision to approve the agreement between Optus and NBN Co to migrate Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) cable customers to the new National Broadband Network. Optus and NBN Co announced this agreement in June 2011, conditional on ACCC approval.

“Approving the deal will pave the way for true market competition and innovation in an NBN world. Australians can look forward to greater value and enhanced retail competition, while the NBN will be able to achieve early scale and deliver affordable pricing uniformly.

“ACCC approval will pave the way for a genuine win-win deal, freeing up resources that can be used more effectively to open up retail competition on a single advanced network that covers the country.

“Locking carriers into smaller-scale wholesale competition with the NBN founded on existing network platforms would never offer such nationwide benefits because existing HFC networks only cover certain regions.

“We will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the ACCC as it prepares to issue a final decision.”

Media contacts:
Liz Greene/Kasia Ciszak
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 80827850