The National Broadband Network (NBN) is on a “knife edge” unless spending and pricing costs are regulated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), according to Optus chief executive officer, Paul O’Sullivan.

Telstra has proposed changes to its structural separation undertaking (SSU), which the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Independent Telecommunications Adjudicator (ITA) would share equal resolution powers to alleviate concerns that the latter would favour the telco.

The chief of the company set up to build the federal government's National Broadband Network (NBN) says he would be concerned if the competition watchdog and Telstra were unable to agree on structural separation undertakings by December 20.

Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, is confident Telstra and the competition watchdog will resolve fears over the telco's structural separation plans.

The National Broadband Network will provide an iPhone-like boom in online applications and services when complete, Federal Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, has said.

Telstra has acknowledged wider telecommunications industry concerns about the need for greater equivalence and transparency in its submission to the National Broadband Network: Regulatory Reform for 21st Century Broadband discussion paper.