Recently, federal communications Minister Senator Stephen Conroy has again made some incorrect statements about my proposed improvements to the NBNCo wholesale cost access model.

The comments concerned are reported here:

http://www.zdnet.com.au/hackett-s-nbn-rejig-costs-customers-conroy-339312918.htm

Those reported comments (if accurate) contain a variety of statements about my proposals that are misleading in some cases, and entirely wrong in others.

In an effort to correct the record (again), I will take a look at the statements attributed to Senator Conroy and provide correction and comment about each. (more…)

Last week, I stood up at a conference and described the NBN’s pricing model as “insane” for small Internet service providers. I said that the NBN’s pricing model would only be feasible for ISPs with desires for national coverage if those ISPs already have more than 250,000 customers – specifically limiting the potential directly attached national customer base for the NBN to little more than Telstra, Optus, TPG, iiNet and Internode. (more…)

NBNCo’s current wholesale pricing model that was released to the market in late 2010 contains some significant challenges that will stop direct participation with NBNCo by national retail service providers with less than 250,000 customers.

There are just two simple changes required to the NBNCo cost model in order to address this issue. These changes are income-neutral for NBNCo but they will have very positive effects on the consumer outcomes for the network. (more…)