The SMH continues it’s speculation around the future ownership of the NBN. This article attempts to link the options to a future Labour led Federal Govt. It might support a Telstra based take over as financially less pain than sale in an open market. Future NBN ownership in this option would depend on how Telstra was restructured.
Telstra’s time line for it’s current proposed restructure and the NBN Co’s time line to be all done and profitable are noted as coinciding in 2022.
Uninformed thinking follows?
Of course whether in reality Telstra gets a look at obtaining any part of the NBN is uncertain. Speculation either way for Telstra will at some time likely impact it’s share price for better or worse.
P.S. There are a variety of sources that are also talking about the economics of future NBN fibre upgrades based on consumer demand and NBN profitability. One take is that these will only be provided where there is a high density of demanding consumers (EG FTTN areas).
The non Fixed Line customers may not be so lucky. These services are subsidised through the RBS levy (read secret NBN tax). It’s charged per NBN connected customer account per month. Effectively Fixed Line customers are helping to pay for the rural Satellite and FW.
It’s existence potentially complicates a split sale of the NBN. The levy as stated in the article also does not account for the additional $800M of new funding approved for the NBN Co for Fixed Wireless.
It’s worth asking for a future NBN world, will upgrades will be prioritised where the return on the added investment is greatest? Or to where the need is greatest?
Will privatisation of the NBN assure a two speed future for consumers? Fast and Cheap for many. Slow and Expensive for the 1.1M premises in the Satellite (Sky Muster) and Fixed Wireless service areas.
If the NBN is not sold off, the same concerns remain. Out of pocket cost, time and technology?
How much more are customers willing to pay for the NBN as a whole?
And how deep are the governments pockets outside election time?
