Exetel, Netspace press case to become Tassie NBN ISPs

ISPs Netspace and Exetel have confirmed they are seeking accreditation from NBN Co to resell broadband services to customers of stage one of the fibre network in Tasmania.

Tasmanian NBN Co announced Internode, iiNet and iPrimus as the first resellers accredited to provide internet services to 5,000 households that are part of the phase one network build.

Netspace regulatory and carrier affairs manager Matthew Phillips told CRN that Netspace "intends to be there offering broadband bundles on the Tassie NBN as soon as the network is available to us."

"We are currently busy working through the Commercial and Technical prerequisites to enable us to do that," he said.

Meanwhile, ISP Exetel made public the text of a curt email to NBN Co overnight as it escalates its case seeking accreditation as a broadband service reseller for customers of the new fibre network.

Exetel made it clear in a forum post on Tuesday that it wants to join the three ISPs already named.

"We are applying for it and would like to offer it if it is financially sensible for the end user," the forum administrator said.

"While I, personally, doubt that NBN Co will ever 'get off the ground' due to financial and other issues, Exetel will always look at infrastructures that may become available to it."

The ISP escalated its push to join the reseller program last night with director Steve Waddington posting the text of an email he purportedly sent to a generic NBN Co email address.

"Dear Sir or Madam," he wrote.

"I have tried to contact you via your web site on Monday and by phone yesterday. After taking my details, your receptionist told me someone would 'definitely call you back soon'. So far there has been no response to either.

"I am trying to contact you to determine if and how Exetel can become a reseller of NBN products and services. I would appreciate the courtesy of a reply."

Exetel, on paper, is a logical candidate for reseller status in Tasmania. It made a renewed push into the state last year after inking a capacity deal with the Basslink cable.

Netspace has also made recent investments in Tasmania, deploying DSLAMs in 12 exchanges to enable it to sell its own ADSL2+ services.