Telstra re-affirms position on FTTN rollout

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 01 March 2006 16:30

IT Policy - Regulation

In a submission to the ACCC's strategic review of the regulation of fixed line services, Telstra has re-inforced its position that it will not rollout an FTTN network without protection from the access provisions of the Trade Practices Act.

Telstra has outlined a plan to take fibre to nodes for the 60 percent of its customers located more than 1.5 kms from its exchanges (some 20,000 nodes in total) but has said it will not make this investment if it must offer access to the services carried on this network to other carriers at regulated prices.

In its submission it notes that "The commission and others have questioned Telstra's sincerity on this issue. Telstra has made clear in a statement to the ASX that it will not roll out a broad scale FTTN network unless and until the necessary regulatory safeguards are in place. The company is aware of its legal obligations in making such a statement."

A copy of Telstra's public submission is available at http://www.nowwearetalking.com.au