Telstra submits broadband network bid

Telstra has told other companies intending to bid for the $4.7 billion national broadband network to put up or shut up.

The telco took another step towards securing the rights to the project after lodging a $5 million bidder's bond, required under the rules of the federal government's request for proposals.

"Today's actions by Telstra put us a step closer to starting work, and put the onus on others to quit complaining and put up their money," Telstra spokeswoman Kate McKenzie said.

The bond was submitted this morning along with information about the telco's network, which other potential bidders say they need in order to complete their bids.

But the information cannot be passed on to third parties until there is agreement between Telstra and the government on a confidentiality deed.

"Telstra sees no reason why this cannot happen immediately," the company said.

Telstra said it had also provided the government with a mathematical model that other bidders can use to help estimate their costs.

The model is based on Telstra's physical records of the elements within the company's network.

Linked to Telstra's cable and plant data, the model allows bidders to estimate costs based on the location of homes and exchanges, pits and pipes.

It will also calculate the impact of hills, valleys and other landforms on costs.

"With the combination of the network information and the (mathematical) model, Telstra's competitors will have access to data that is reasonably required to put together their bids," Ms McKenzie said.

"Anyone who now spends time complaining, rather than getting on with the job, cannot be taken seriously."

The supply of information has been a sore point in the tender process, with claims Telstra has an unfair advantage because of a virtual monopoly on crucial information about existing network infrastructure.

The G9 consortium, led by SingTel Optus, is the other confirmed bidder for the project.

An Optus spokesman today rejected claims by Telstra that information on its network infrastructure was available.

"This is the fox suddenly claiming to be a model citizen in the hen house," the spokesperson said.

"The reality is that the information is not yet available to the industry."