The Rudd government is likely to back away from its more extreme legislative threats to Telstra if a deal can be quickly reached with the company on the $43 billion national broadband network project, reports The Australian.

The Senate is due to begin consideration of the government’s telecommunications changes this week and Telstra and the Opposition are both calling for the bill to be delayed until next year.

To read this report in The Australian in full, see:
www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,26257897-643,00.html

Also see:

Telco bill to reshape industry, says Conroy
The Federal Government says Parliament needs to pass a telecommunications bill to give consumers greater choice for both phone and broadband services.

The telecommunications industry ombudsman received 230,000 complaints last financial year, which is a 54 per cent increase on the previous year.
www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/25/2723434.htm

Conroy threat to rein in telcos
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has threatened telecommunications companies with a legislative crackdown unless they dramatically improve their customer service.

Senator Conroy was reacting to a report released by the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, which showed a 54 per cent increase in the number of complaints from consumers.
www.theage.com.au/national/conroy-threat-to-rein-in-telcos-20091025-heqq.html
www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/lift-your-game-or-we-act-warns-conroy-20091025-heoy.html