The ACCC has issued a final determination granting authorisation to enable NBN Co and a group of retail communications services providers (the Special Working Group) to discuss, agree, and implement capacity optimisation strategies for the National Broadband Network, solely for the purpose of responding to the changes in demand on the network resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Authorisation is granted until 31 March 2021.
The Special Working Group currently comprises Telstra, Optus, TPG, Vocus and Aussie Broadband.
To ensure there is sufficient transparency over the conduct of the Special Working Group, authorisation is subject to certain reporting obligations.
Further information about the ACCC’s decision, including the reporting obligations imposed, is available on the ACCC’s public register at: NBN Co Limited.
The conditional interim authorisation granted on 23 July 2020 remains in place until the ACCC’s determination comes into effect or the interim authorisation is revoked. If no application for review is made to the Australian Competition Tribunal, the ACCC’s determination comes into effect on 2 October 2020.