Feedback has been invited on the proposed variation to nbn’s Special Access Undertaking (SAU), which is a key part of the regulatory framework for governing prices and other terms upon which the company will supply services over the National Broadband Network (NBN) to retailers until 2040.
With nbn having lodged a proposed variation to the SAU in May 2016, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has now published a consultation paper describing the main changes being proposed for the undertaking and outlining other key issues. In a press release the regulator noted that the main proposed changes to the SAU are to incorporate fibre-to-the-node (FTTN), fibre-to-the-basement (FTTB) and HFC technologies into the undertaking. In addition, nbn is also seeking to: expand the service description to reflect the additional technologies; add new clauses to address specific matters relating to FTTN and FTTB services during the NBN rollout; and change the nature and extent of commitments to report rollout progress information.
With a closing date for submissions set as 26 August 2016, ACCC commissioner Roger Featherston was cited as saying of the matter: ‘The ACCC is especially interested in receiving feedback on industry’s experience in accessing and re-supplying NBN services to date … Changes to the Special Access Undertaking are needed to accommodate services under the multi-technology NBN model. We want to be sure the commitments in the undertaking continue to promote competition in NBN markets and remain in the long-term interests of consumers.’
