Former SingTel Optus and Telstra executive John Simon will join NBN Co in the New Year as the company's new Head of Product and Sales.

The appointment follows the announcement this morning that Jim Hassell has resigned from NBN Co to take up the role of Group Chief Executive Officer of the transmission network business Broadcast Australia, where he served previously as Chief Operating Officer.

Mr Simon joins NBN Co following more than a decade at SingTel Optus in a number of senior roles, most recently as Managing Director, Strategy, Corporate Development and Transformation. He served at Telstra in the 1990s in its multimedia business.

NBN Co CEO Mike Quigley said: “I'm pleased to welcome John Simon to the executive team. He brings to the company a wealth of experience in telecommunications and technology strategy that will help consolidate relationships and continue to develop products that meet the requirements of our industry customers and consumers.

“At the same time, I congratulate Jim on his new role and thank him for his outstanding contribution to NBN Co. He leaves the company in an excellent position to build on his achievements in developing the Wholesale Broadband Agreement and the associated negotiations with industry, which culminated in the signing up to the NBN telephone and internet service providers that represent over 95 per cent of the retail market.”

Mr Quigley also announced that Caroline Lovell, formerly Principal of Regulatory Affairs, has been promoted to the new role of Head of Regulatory Affairs and Industry Analysis, reporting to the CEO.

“Caroline has demonstrated outstanding leadership in her development of the long-term regulatory framework governing access to the National Broadband Network. The document, known as the Special Access Undertaking, is currently going through the ACCC's industry consultation process as part of its consideration of the undertaking. I am pleased to add her talent and expertise to the executive team.”

Ms Lovell will assume her new position in the New Year. Mr Hassell will depart in mid-February 2013 following a handover period.

MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Rhonda Griffin
Phone: 02 9927 4015
Mobile: 0428 134 401

Andrew Sholl
Mobile: 0448 805 806
Email: andrewsholl@nbnco.com.au

Notes to Editors

• The Government's objective is for NBN Co to rollout fibre optic broadband, designed to offer its Retail Service Provider customers wholesale download speeds of up to 100 megabits per second*, to 93 per cent of Australian premises by 2021 (with a minimum fibre obligation of 90 per cent of Australian premises).
• The remaining premises are expected to receive high-speed broadband via fixed-wireless or satellite, with the rollout of both services expected to be complete by 2015.
• NBN Co is a wholesale company, and those wishing to switch their phone and internet to the National Broadband Network need to speak to their telephone or internet service provider. These are listed by area at www.nbnco.com.au/serviceproviders
• For more information visit www.nbnco.com.au

* NBN Co is designing the NBN to be capable of delivering these speeds to NBN Co's wholesale customers (telephone and internet service providers). Speeds actually achieved by retail customers (end users) will depend on a number of factors including the quality of their equipment and in-premises connection, the broadband plans offered by their service provider and how their service provider designs its network to cater for multiple end users

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