Call-up for first round of consultation with NBN Co

The first step of NBN Co’s consultation process with its wholesale customers and the telecommunications industry as a whole will be the distribution of a Product Consultation Paper. The paper will provide an outline of NBN Co’s product plans for the national broadband network. NBN Co will then invite industry participants to offer written submissions in response.

The second phase of consultation will be a series of industry forums planned for early 2010 in Sydney, Melbourne and other capital cities.

These forums offer an opportunity for all industry players and interested stakeholders to learn more about the operational and product-based aspects of the NBN and offer their direct feedback on these plans.

NBN Co acknowledges the extensive consultation work already undertaken by communications industry group Communications Alliance and the valuable insights this work has provided on a whole range of industry issues.

“NBN Co is committed to fostering strong relationships with our wholesale customers and the industry as a whole,” said NBN Co Head of Industry Development Christy Boyce. “We plan to consult widely with our key stakeholders to ensure the National Broadband Network meets both the needs of Australian broadband users now and well into the future.”

NBN Co welcomes written submissions from industry participants on topics set out in its consultation paper including high-level technology standards and the scope of the proposed NBN Co product offer.

Copies of the consultation paper are available from www.nbnco.com.au in the ‘Events and Publications’ section. Parties have until 12 February 2010 to provide written submissions.

As part of this process, NBN Co will also launch a National Roadshow involving a series of industry forums commencing in Melbourne and Sydney in early 2010. These forums are designed to provide industry participants with the latest information on the development of the NBN Co product set.

The following forums are planned:

• Sydney, State Library of NSW, Metcalfe Auditorium, Macquarie St, 2-5 pm, 20 January 2010; and
• Melbourne, State Library of Victoria Conference Centre, Village Roadshow Theatre, 328 Swanston St, 2-5 pm, 29 January 2010.

NBN Co plans to hold consultation forums in other capital cities in early 2010. Following the completion of this first round of consultation, a detailed product specification is expected to be released.

NBN Co also plans to hold similar consultations with its stakeholders on other topics, including the operational requirements of its wholesale customers.