The two chief advantages cited by the ACCC were avoiding the unnecessary cost of operating the Optus HFC network when the NBN can provide the same service and the ability to deliver a lower cost HFC subscriber migration to the NBN.
Paul O’Sullivan, Chief Country Officer for Optus Australia said, “The ACCC's draft decision recognises the practical outcome of Optus' agreement with NBN Co will be to drive significantly greater retail competition and product innovation, which can only benefit telecommunications consumers."
Optus claims the agreement will help to free up HFC resources which can then be redirected towards "a greater breadth" of Optus services on the NBN.
“The agreement will enable Optus to gradually decommission its HFC network and move customers over to the NBN from 2014 once the network is ready for service in those areas," O’Sullivan said in a statement. “ACCC approval will pave the way for a genuine win-win deal, freeing up resources that can be used more effectively to open up retail competition on a single advanced network that covers the country.
The ACCC is still preparing to issue its final decision with all signs pointing towards approval.
