‘‘The interim statement instructs NBN Co to continue to roll out the network as rapidly and cost-effectively as possible throughout this process,’’ Mr Turnbull said. ‘‘(This) will see the NBN Co meet its contractual obligations by continuing to roll out fibre to the premises while the company conducts the strategic review of the project.’’ Forecasts for the number of premises passed by fibre cable have been revised down. The figure is expected to be 729,000 by June 30, 2014, 1.74 million by June 20, 2015, and 3.115 million by June 30, 2016. It was originally expected in the 2010 NBN corporate plan that 5.65 million premises would be passed by mid-2016.

‘‘It is our goal following the completion of the review and a new corporate plan to see the NBN Co set realistic rollout targets and then consistently deliver on them,’’ Mr Turnbull said. More technologies NBN Co will be able to use a wider range of technologies to connect businesses and homes to the network. ‘‘For example, this will allow NBN Co to trial the latest VDSL technology to deliver superfast broadband to homes and businesses in multi-dwelling units such as apartment blocks,’’ Mr Turnbull said. The minister said a new work program would give certainty to contractors.

Mr Turnbull told reporters the strategic review would be completed within 60 days of a new board being put in place. The review would be conducted internally by the company, with input from experts and advisers. Board resigns The minister confirmed media reports he had asked NBN Co board members to offer their resignations and all but one had done so. ‘‘That request should not be regarded as any criticism of any of the directors, least of all the chairman Siobhan McKenna,’’ he said.

Mr Turnbull said he had taken the action to ‘‘give the government complete flexibility in remaking the board in light of its new policy agenda’’.The federal cabinet would soon make the decision on the makeup of the board. Mr Turnbull said the government was ‘‘open-minded’’ about what technologies could be used to deliver the national broadband network. ‘‘What we want to do is get the best result for taxpayers and consumers as soon as possible,’’ he said. Asked about his previous criticism of the NBN Co board, the minister said he had not criticised any individuals. ‘‘They are all very capable people and for the work they’ve done we owe them a debt of gratitude for that,’’ he said. ‘‘But in terms of a board for a project like this, certainly telecommunications experience, management experience, experience in the contribution of linear infrastructure is clearly very relevant.

‘‘Those particular backgrounds were not present among the directors of the NBN Co that the Labor Party assembled.’’ Complexity 'underestimated' Mr Turnbull said the difficulty and complexity of the project had probably been underestimated from the outset. What he wanted now was the unvarnished truth about how much it would cost and how long it would take. A spokeswoman for Telstra said the brief for NBN Co was a matter for the government.

‘‘Our focus will be on working constructively with NBN Co and the government to implement the government’s policy,’’ she said. Acting opposition leader Chris Bowen said Labor would continue to argue for fibre to the home so Australia had the best possible national broadband network. ‘‘We think it is important for the future of the nation,’’ he told Sky news. AAP