Telstra demands apology from Optus

Telstra's incoming group managing director for Public Policy & Communications, David Quilty, said the written confirmation was proof Telstra wasn’t holding up the NBN, as claimed by Optus CEO Paul O'Sullivan.

“This confirmation demonstrates that Mr O'Sullivan's claim was a falsehood and he should now apologise for misleading the Australian public," Quilty said.

"It is also incumbent upon Optus to say whether it has received confirmation that its network information meets the Government's requirements," he added.

Quilty said Telstra has fully complied with the Government's requirements on a voluntary basis and looks forward to the earliest possible announcement that the 12-week RFP lodgment period has been triggered.

"Telstra has been undertaking the detailed and complex planning for this once-in-50-years upgrade of its network since August 2005 when it first provided its NBN proposal to the then Government,” he said.

According to Quilty, every month that a NBN is not built, Australia forfeits at least $200 million in economic benefits.

"It is time to get this show on the road - let the building begin," he said.