NBN Co chief executive, Mike Quigley, confirmed the National Broadband Network (NBN) wholesale operator had receive 70 applications since the company assumed responsibilities as on 1 January 2011. Some 40 applications were received on New Year's Day alone.

A further 2000 applications are expected to be received during January, covering approximately 70,000 premises, which will be assessed and processed by next month.

A tender for fibre providers will close next week on 14 January. An initial statement from communications minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, stated a panel of providers would be established but in a press conference calling for developers, Quigley couldn’t guarantee how providers would be selected.

Fibre rollout at eligible estates will occur in tandem with NBN Co’s wider rollout, which currently includes 19 mainland trial sites similarly covering 70,000 premises.

In order to be eligible, housing estates must contain over 100 premises and provide “pit and pipe” infrastructure or ready conduits and pipes for deployment of fibre. Developers are free to choose an alternative fibre provider other than those selected by NBN Co, but will be liable for costs of installation.