Broadband

Mr Fletcher asked:

(1) Which telecommunications equipment vendors submitted a tender for the contract to supply the wireless network to be operated by NBN Co. Limited.

(2) Were all major global telecommunications equipment vendors given the opportunity to tender; if not, (i) which ones were not, and (ii) on what grounds.

Mr Albanese responded:

NBN Co has advised that the contract to supply wireless services for the NBN was entered into following a preliminary request for proposals. A select tender evaluation process was then run with two major wireless network vendors, which resulted in the contract being awarded to Ericsson. The identity of the unsuccessful tenderer is not able to be released as it is subject to confidentiality agreements between that tenderer and NBN Co.

In terms of NBN Co procurement processes providing opportunity for equipment vendors to tender, NBN Co has developed a Buying Guide and a detailed Procurement Manual defining the practices, procedures and decision-making rules appropriate to its circumstances and commercial imperatives. This includes having regard to open tender processes.