NBN Co appoints operations officer

BT alumnus joins.

NBN Co has appointed former British Telecom executive Ralph Steffens to the role of chief operating officer for the National Broadband Network.

The German-born telco executive will oversee core operating efforts at the company including IT, network planning, construction and operations, as well as operational health and safety, new developments and community relations.

Steffens, to start at the end of this month, will report directly to CEO Mike Quigley, who acted in the COO role since its creation as part of an internal reshuffle in August.

Among those reporting to Steffens is chief information officer Claire Rawlins who, like Steffens, was also formerly a key figure at British Telecom.

Steffens will enter the role having filled at least two major network operations roles at BT since 2003, including his most recent title of managing director of service delivery.

His previous position were also focused around use of 'lead to cash' business processes - one of four priorities outlined by Rawlins as part of NBN Co's core IT strategy earlier this year.

"As an experienced telecommunications executive who has presided over major network rollouts across Europe, Ralph is ideally suited to the role of overseeing this vital upgrade of Australia's telecommunications infrastructure," Quigley said in a statement.

An NBN Co spokeswoman did not immediately respond to questions on when it the company plans to fill other new positions created in the August reshuffle, including head of community relations - currently filled in an acting capacity by Mike Kaiser.