NBN Co shortlists fibre network builders

The company charged with building Australia's National Broadband Network (NBN), NBN Co, has shortlisted 21 companies to bid for the fibre construction component of the project.

Over 90 per cent of Australian premises will be connected with fibre, while the remaining will get access to wireless services.

The company said 45 companies had responded to its request for capability statement for the design and construction of the fibre access network.

Some of the 21 companies invited to bid in the formal request for proposals process include Telstra, Western Power, Ergon Energy, SP AusNet, John Holland and Visionstream Australia.

In a statement today, NBN Co head of construction, Patrick Flannigan, encouraged the 24 companies who lost out to team up with the 21 shortlisted companies.

"This is a great opportunity for all players in the market. The lead contractors will need all the resources and skills available to them to realise this project," he said.

NBN Co said it expected the design and construction request for the proposals process to be complete "towards the end of the year".

The full shortlist is: