ACCC bulks up hiring ahead of NBN

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has begun preparing for the challenges presented by the National Broadband Network by restructuring its communications unit.

“This restructure extends our existing structure with the hiring of a significant number of additional staff to work on issues in greater depth around, but not exclusively related, to the NBN and associated regulation of its impact on other communications areas,” ACCC group general manager for Communications, Michael Cosgrave told ITNews.com.au.

Business consultant Rob Nicholls has been brought on, having worked with Optus, Telstra, Vodafone and the World Bank in his career spanning three decades. As general manager of Convergence Coordination and Mobility, it is understood Nicholls will deal with the NBN rollout.

“Part of the expansion is related naturally to the NBN,” Nicholls said. “But there are also some very interesting issues relating broadly to mobile, for instance the reallocation rather than renewal of spectrum licences.”