NBN excitement builds

The telco industry is looking forward to the national broadband network (NBN) announcement this week. And they are not the only ones. The excitement is building. Here are Paul Budde's predictions:

• And the winner is: most if not all of the tenderers working together in some sort of a consortium.
• An open network that will be built by Acacia on a structurally separated basis, securing maximum efficiency and a utility-based wholesale/access structure.
• Optus and the other telcos and ISPs will build their own intelligence on this network and operate the services.
• This construction will lead to very affordable end-user services.
• The network will be designed with FttH as the end goal, with intermediate steps which will also include wireless.
• The biggest uncertainty for Budde is Telstra’s reaction. He sincerely hopes that they will turn around and join this cooperative model.
• TransAct, Axia and Tassie will build their own regional networks, within the national plan.