The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network chief told a Melbourne conference on Wednesday she believed the SAU regulatory regime now being proposed to be in place next 23 years was unfair for consumers.

Corbin’s intervention follows comments on Monday by the competition regulator, the ACCC, that it wants an industry-led outcome on the variations to the SAU, rather than regulatory imposition.

ACCC chairman Rod Sims announced the commission had put off making a decision on NBN Co’s proposed variation to its SAU until the company has undertaken further consultation with customers on its pricing model for the NBN.

He also noted the ACCC was aware NBN Co was already consulting its customers — telecommunications companies that pay to access the NBN network — on potential alternatives to the current pricing model.

But Corbin says the proposed charge of $150 for consumers who are unable to self-install, for missed appointments or late cancellation of appointments, may affect some vulnerable consumers.

“We are also concerned about the removal of requirements to make rollout information available to the public. Access to this information is useful to many organisations and consumers.”

NBN Co submitted a revised SAU variation in June to incorporate fibre-to-the-node, fibre-to-the-basement and hybrid fibre coaxial technologies (multi-technology mix services) into the SAU, to reflect the current NBN model, and effectively extending the current SAU pricing arrangements to these MTM services.

Corbin also showcased ACCAN’s consumer resources aimed at helping consumers in the switchover to the NBN including "5 things you need to know about NBN".