Despite the expected release of NBN Co's Standard Form of Access Agreement today, Optus has confirmed it is still in negotiations with the company to address what it views as unresolved issues in the draft version of the agreement.
NBN Co last week released the fifth and final draft of its wholesale broadband agreement (WBA) for review by industry, under which the National Broadband Network (NBN) wholesaler will supply services to customers and will “declare” the products and services under the Competition and Consumer Act.
A spokesperson for the number two telco told Computerworld Australia, that Optus was still in ongoing discussions with NBN Co around the details of the agreement.
“While some progress has been made on the WBA, certain issues are still to be resolved such as regulatory oversight and service assurance levels,” the spokesperson said.
The telco’s outgoing government and corporate affairs head, Maha Krishnapillai, initially said Optus would wait for “more clarity” and a confirmed WBA before publishing the details of its retail NBN pricing.
However, due to the process taking “longer than initially envisaged”, the telco released its NBN mainland pricing for consumers only on a month to month basis.
“While there are still some issues to work through, we’re negotiating in good faith and are hopeful we will come to a resolution as it is in all parties’ interests to reach an agreement,” the spokesperson said at the time.
Krishnapillai has since been appointed to a newly created role with Australia Post’s retail division to grow its telco arm following his last day with Optus on 30 November.
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