28 September 2012: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has received a new Special Access Undertaking (SAU) from NBN Co. This new SAU replaces the SAU lodged by NBN Co in late 2011 and withdrawn on 7 September 2012.
The ACCC will now commence the process of reviewing the undertaking, as per the requirements in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). As part of this process, the ACCC will consult with industry and stakeholders. A consultation paper is scheduled for release in November 2012.
Parties interested in lodging a submission with the ACCC regarding the SAU will have until January 2013 to do so. The ACCC hopes to release a draft decision on the SAU by March 2013.
The ACCC has noted their awareness that current contracts between NBN Co and retailers expire around the end of November, but expects that parties will be able to agree to arrangements for the continuing supply of NBN Co’s services until such time as the ACCC is able to conclude its assessment of the SAU.
For more information on the SAU from the ACCC see http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1081442/fromItemId/2332