Optus told to remain silent on NBN Co deal for 15 years

[mellie]

NBN-Optus deal comes under criticism: report

Published 8:06 AM, 11 Oct 2011
Last update 8:06 AM, 11 Oct 2011



The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, whose funding is controlled by the federal government, has said the agreement between the NBN Co and Optus, which prevents Optus from criticising the NBN for 15 years, will hurt competition and consumers, according to a report by The Australian.

The no-criticism rule was a key part of the $800 million deal signed between the NBN Co, which is rolling-out the $36 billion National Broadband Network, and Optus, the country's second-largest telecommunications company.

The consumer group is not the only party to express concern about the arrangement, with the newly-appointed chairman of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, Rod Sims, yesterday expressing concerns that competition may be negatively affected by the NBN roll-out.

The deal between NBN Co and Optus allows Optus to migrate its hybrid fibre coaxial cable customers to the NBN network, according to The Australian.

Optus is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.



http://technologyspectator.com.au/indus ... ism-report

While you are at it, you might like to read this...

http://technologyspectator.com.au/indus ... pplication

[mellie]

Does this sound right to you?

Does this sound like how a transparent and accountable 'developed democratic nations' government might conduct it's business?


If the answer is 'yes' Optus, then you you might need a new plan some time soon.

[Bart]

Can't see what the point is to censor the NBN deal, the public already know that it is a Big White Elephant and a complete waste of public money - no surprises there. And we all know that when the NBN is complete it will be even more outdated. Will Telstra allow for their infrastruture to be upgraded or replaced?
The NBN was 20th century technology, but Conroy hasn't been told that for the past 11 years we've been in the 21st century. Controy is living in the past.
Time to build for and towards the future and not utilise last century's technology at tomorrow's prices.