NBN Co's HFC deal with Optus set for ACCC blessing

Competition watchdog issues draft decision on NBN Co's revised HFC agreement with Optus

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a draft decision that will give the go-ahead to a revised deal between NBN Co and Optus relating to the telco's hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) network.

Along with Telstra's HFC network, NBN Co intends to integrate elements of Optus' HFC assets into the National Broadband Network as part of the Coalition government-backed shift to a 'multi-technology mix'.

"The ACCC proposes to re-authorise NBN Co to enter into revised arrangements with Optus which broadly involve Optus progressively migrating its customers to the new multi-technology NBN as NBN Co integrates parts of Optus’ HFC network, and an obligation on Optus to use the NBN for customers served on its HFC network for 15 years," states the ACCC's draft decision, which was released today.

"The ACCC proposes to re-authorise the revised arrangements for 35 years."

NBN Co, Optus and Telstra announced late last year revised agreements under which NBN Co will take ownership of elements of the telcos' HFC networks and Telstra's copper network.

The ACCC is accepting submissions on its draft decision ahead of a final decision in August or September.

"Today's decision is yet another significant step that enables NBN to deliver better broadband to every Australian as soon possible and at the least possible cost," NBN Co's CEO, Bill Morrow, said in a statement.

"The agreement between NBN and Optus delivers clear benefits to families and businesses. We are pleased to see that the initial view of the ACCC is the same."

The original agreement between NBN Co and Optus would have seen the telco's HFC network shut down.

The ACCC last month signed off on the revised agreements between Telstra and NBN Co.

NBN Co has revealed it plans to upgrade the Telstra and Optus HFC infrastructure it will take ownership of.

Earlier this year it confirmed it will roll out support for the DOCSIS 3.1 standard, which supports download speeds of up to 10Gbps over HFC.

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Tags NBNTelstraNetworkingnbn conational broadband networkoptushfcNational Broadband Network (NBN)Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC)

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