Deadline looms for FTTN opinions

The Federal government has issued a reminder notice to stakeholders in the national fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) network, as the deadline for submissions on the project nears.

Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has issued a public reminder notice to interested parties preparing policy submissions on regulatory issues relating to the FTTN network and the provision of broadband to rural and remote areas.

Conroy invited parties to provide their input into the bid process in April, after speculation that the Federal government intended to scrap the Australian Broadband Guarantee.

"The government has given all parties a reasonable period to prepare policy submissions, and there are clear advantages to leaving the deadlines unchanged," said Conroy in a statement.

The submissions will be made publicly available after being passed on to bidders for the national network and the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee, a scenario which Conroy described as "vitally important" ahead of network bidders submitting their final proposals to the government.

"There's plenty of lively debate in the market about the various approaches to be taken," said a spokesperson for the Minister today.

"These submissions will definitely help proponents shape the regulatory proposal in their bids," said the spokesperson.

Conroy's reminder comes after an independent report released yesterday concluded that a Telstra owned and operated network could lead to broadband price increases of up to 15 per cent.

Submissions on the regulatory policy for the network are due on 25 June, while those regarding broadband access for remote and rural areas are due on 30 June, ahead of the RTIRC filing its final report on the matter to the Federal government.