NBN Co. puts network construction tender on hold

Australia's national broadband network (NBN) has hit yet another snag as the NBN Co. decided to suspend its network construction tender because construction companies did not provide terms and pricing that met the provider's needs.

While this is a setback for NBN Co.'s network buildout, they said there are a number of other options that "will provide a better value for its money," adding that it has left open the option of continuing negotiations at a later time.

NBN Co.'s new approach will look at recent supply chain arrangement, volume certainty, a gainshare for continuous improvement and a national construction footprint.

Last April, NBN Co. launched the tender process with a call for capability statements. In that process, 45 potential construction companies submitted proposals, which NBN Co. whittled down to a shortlist of 14 companies/joint ventures to bid on the RFP.

For more:
- Telecompaper has this article

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