By Grant Shepherd

SYDNEY: The Rudd Government has announced a new executive chairman for the company which is going to deliver the National Broadband Network around Australia, NBN CO.

Taking on the new role as executive chairman will be Mike Quigley, who has worked for over 36 years at Alcatel, one of the world’s largest telecoms technology and network deployment companies.

Quigley was recently president and chief operating officer of the company, leading more than 55,000 staff and responsible for operations in 130 countries.

In addition to this he also led Alcatel’s team in the negotiations of the Euro 21 billion merger with Lucent Technologies which was completed in November 2006, before his decision to return to Australia in September 2007.

“Few people in the world have first-hand experience with the deployment of the type of network Broadband Network Plan involves,” said a media release on behalf of the office of Stephen Conroy.

“Mike is one of those people. He understands the technology, the applications, and all of the considerations that go into making a network viable.”

Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, commented that along with his accomplishments, Quigley is also known for his energy and values. Which he commented was crucial as he builds the fundamental national infrastructure for this generation and the next.

According to the release Quigley will commence his role immediately and be actively involved in the NBN Implementation study. His appointment is promised to provide the authority and direction to maintain the Government’s momentum on the project.

The Government also predicts that it will appoint another director to the Board of the Company and expects to make an announcement shortly.

One of these directors is anticipated to be appointed as non-executive chairman with Quigley continuing as managing director and chief executive officer.

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