Regulatory amendments to facilitate the rollout of the NBN

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today congratulated Vodafone for connecting its first trial customers to the National Broadband Network (NBN) and welcomed the telcos entry into the fixed line market in Australia. It is terrific to see that a global giant like Vodafone considers the conditions are now right for it to enter the fixed line market in Australia for the first time by connecting customers to the NBN, Senator Conroy said. The NBNs wholesale only open access network is, for the first time in Australia, creating a level playing field with the ability to attract new entrants like Vodafone. Around the world, Vodafone is predominantly a mobiles-only operator. Vodafones entry into the fixed line market, as a potential retail service provider on the NBN, is a first for the company in Australia. Contrary to claims that the NBN is anti-competitive, Vodafones decision to enter the fixed line services market demonstrates that structural reform is increasing retail service competition leading to a more dynamic and innovative market. Attracting a new fixed line operator demonstrates the value of the NBN as an open access, wholesale only provider. The decision by a predominantly mobiles-only operator such as Vodafone to offer services over the NBN reflects the complementary nature of wireless and fixed networks.

Date: 19 December 2011 Contact: Lyall Johnson 0408 258 457