Government looks for opinions on NBN legislative framework

With the imminent build-out of the highly anticipated National Broadband Network views on its legislative framework has now been called for by Senator Stephen Conroy, the Minister for Communication, Broadband and the Digital Economy.

The Federal Government is now looking for opinions to be given on the future regulatory framework in order to provide the people of Australia with the best National Broadband Network it possibly can.

Senator Conroy said “The National Broadband Network will be the single largest nation-building infrastructure project in Australian history. It is essential that the legislation governing the National Broadband Network company and its operations is thoroughly considered. There is a wealth of experience and expertise in the community and the Government wants to ensure people have the best opportunity to comment on the proposed framework for the National Broadband Network company.”

The submissions that have already been received regarding the discussion paper called the Regulatory Reform for 21st Century Broadband, which also includes the ability for the consumer framework and telecommunications competition to be modified throughout the rollout of the National Broadband Network, are currently being looked at carefully by the Government.

Any parties that have an interest in doing so will be given to option of giving their view of the policy framework for the regulation of the National Broadband Network company and its access regime that was also included within the Regulatory Reform for 21st Century Broadband paper.

Conroy said “The National Broadband Network company will operate on a wholesale-only, open access basis with oversight by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. This framework will radically improve competition in the Australian telecoms sector by providing access to retailers on an open and equivalent basis. I invite interested parties to provide their views on the legislation covering the access regime for the National Broadband Network and governing the operations, ownership and control of the National Broadband Network company.”

Source – www.egovmonitor.com