ID :
15309
Fri, 08/08/2008 - 12:07
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/15309
The shortlink copeid
Telcos get deadline for broadband info
AAP - The federal government has given Telstra and other telcos two weeks to hand over network information needed by companies bidding to build the national broadband network.
The government on Thursday published instruments setting out the network information that carriers must provide for the tender process to go ahead, along with rules to safeguard the information.
The carriers have until the close of business on August 22 to lodge the required information.
Acting Communications Minister Anthony Albanese said the release of the instruments was a key step in the tender process.
"It provides proponents with certainty over the information that will be provided, the timeline over which this will occur and arrangements to safeguard the information," Mr Albanese said.
The government has received a significant amount of information from Telstra to be provided to other bidders.
Telstra says it submitted the last of the required information this week.
Departmental officials are currently examining that information.
Once all the information has been handed over, bidders will have 12 weeks to examine it before they have to lodge their proposals to build the network.
Carriers which fail to get the required information in on time face termination of their licences and fines of up to $10 million.
Opposition communications spokesman Bruce Billson said the government should have used its power to compel the telcos sooner.
"We've been left scratching our heads as to why it's taken so long for Senator Conroy to use the legislative instruments that were made available in May," he told AAP.
The government on Thursday published instruments setting out the network information that carriers must provide for the tender process to go ahead, along with rules to safeguard the information.
The carriers have until the close of business on August 22 to lodge the required information.
Acting Communications Minister Anthony Albanese said the release of the instruments was a key step in the tender process.
"It provides proponents with certainty over the information that will be provided, the timeline over which this will occur and arrangements to safeguard the information," Mr Albanese said.
The government has received a significant amount of information from Telstra to be provided to other bidders.
Telstra says it submitted the last of the required information this week.
Departmental officials are currently examining that information.
Once all the information has been handed over, bidders will have 12 weeks to examine it before they have to lodge their proposals to build the network.
Carriers which fail to get the required information in on time face termination of their licences and fines of up to $10 million.
Opposition communications spokesman Bruce Billson said the government should have used its power to compel the telcos sooner.
"We've been left scratching our heads as to why it's taken so long for Senator Conroy to use the legislative instruments that were made available in May," he told AAP.
