National Broadband Network hires Telstra chief
The politically charged national Broadband Network is to be joined by former Telstra executive JB Rousselot, who will be responsible for the company’s strategy and transformation.
The NBN is under review following the election
He replaces Mike Kaiser, associated with the Labor party. Rousellot is known to be a personal friend of Liberal coalition Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
The incoming Tony Abbott led government has put the network under review.
“Mr Rousselot will help oversee the continuing transition process as NBN Co moves to deliver the Government’s policy of deploying a broader mix of technologies to ensure every Australian is able to receive very fast broadband,” said NBN Co’s executive chairman, Ziggy Switkowski.
The incoming Government was accused of operating a hostile agenda to the NBN and having close links to Rupert Murdoch’s competitor network, Foxtel.
Writing in the Guardian’s recently launched Autralian edition in August, Roy Greensalde said Rupert Murdoch believes the government's national broadband network “poses a threat to the operation of the Foxtel cable TV monopoly that News Corp jointly owns with Telstra,” and perceives the development to be a threat.