Former Alcatel executive Mike Quigley named as NBN chairman

Former Alcatel-Lucent executive Mike Quigley was announced as chairman of the Government’s National Broadband Network Company over the weekend, and has already started to outline his vision for the $43 billion network.

The Government also announced at a rolling-out ceremony for the network in Hobart that former Telstra executive Doug Campbell will chair the NBN Co. in Tasmania.

Quigley, who has extensive experience in dealing with telcos during 36 years at equipment provider Alcatel, told The Australian Financial Review that he is presently focussed on “defining the product suites” to be offered by the network.

“There’s a whole range of decisions for the company to make. Obviously, one that comes to mind is the wholesale product suite…what exactly do you sell?”

“This is a wholesale company whose aim will be to deliver connectivity to retail service providers at lowest possible prices with the highest possible capability and responsibility – not too sexy but absolutely reliable.”

Quigley also said he is confident the network will be able to record a return on investment, “if all the technology comes together”, and that digital television will be a key service delivered over the NBN.

“This is quite visionary of the Government: none of us knows what some of these applications are going to be, but voice over IP [internet protocol] and video we will have to carry, IPTV we will have to carry.”

He said he hopes the NBN will have “hundreds, if not thousands, of retail customers who would like us to carry their traffic”.

Quigley was to become Alcatel’s chief executive, but a $17 billion merger with US-based Lucent Technologies saw Lucent chief executive Pat Russo take the top job. Quigley then took the role of president of science technology and strategy, but left and emerged as director of internet group Audinate earlier this year.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said in a statement that during Quigley’s career, “he has had to make difficult decisions…Mike has managed the acquisition of numerous technology assets and knows how to value such assets from both a technical and financial perspective.”

“During the course of his career, [Quigley] has led the development and integration of large scale, fibre-to-the-premises implementations for some of the largest US carriers,” Rudd said.

Quigley is to be joined by other executives to be announced by the Government, but said his management style is “somewhat inclusive. I like to have diversity of people on the management team”.

Meanwhile, former Telstra managing director Doug Campbell was named as chairman of the Tasmanian NBN Co.

Campbell has been president of Canadian National Communications, as well as chairman of Aciaca Broadband, one of the bidders for the original National Broadband Network program.

“Mr Campbell has 48 years of industry experience: 30 years in Canada competing with established telecommunications providers, and 18 years in Australia as a senior executive in Telstra…He is perfectly qualified to drive forward this…vital first stage of the National Broadband Network,” a statement from Rudd and communications minister Stephen Conroy said.