NBN Co has withdrawn the Special Access Undertaking that it lodged with the ACCC last year. The ACCC would otherwise have had to make a decision on the undertaking by 17 September 2012.
The ACCC has been working closely with NBN Co to progress preparation of a revised undertaking. While the timing of its lodgement is a matter for NBN Co, the ACCC expects that an undertaking on which it can publicly consult will be finalised in the near future.
The ACCC is aware that current contracts between NBN Co and retailers expire around the end of November. The ACCC would expect parties to 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 new undertaking.
In July, the ACCC hosted an industry forum on NBN Co’s proposed revised undertaking. NBN Co has also provided a public outline of its proposal, which can be found on the ACCC website: NBN Co - special access undertaking 2011
If accepted, the Special Access Undertaking would form part of the regulatory framework for access to the National Broadband Network.