The Coalition frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull is refusing to confirm whether the former chief executive of Telstra, Ziggy Switkowski, will be appointed to head the National Broadband Network Company.

But Mr Turnbull described him as "highly qualified" and "eminently suitable".

If Dr Switkowski is appointed, one of his first challenges will be to undertake what is likely to be a highly political audit of the NBN Co's governance and operations.

In the world of telecommunications, it's hard to find a more experienced local operator than Ziggy Switkowski.

Before becoming the head of the Telstra, the one time nuclear physicist ran Optus and the Australian operations of Kodak.

On paper, it is a formidable CV.

But more importantly, his Liberal Party connections run deep.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 4 minutes 44 seconds 4 m 44 s Former Telstra boss tipped to take top job at NBN Co Download 2.2 MB

The Coalition frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull will recommend any appointment to head the NBN Co if, as expected, he becomes Communications Minister.

This morning, Mr Turnbull tried to play down the speculation while at the same time endorsing Dr Switkowski's skills.

"He's obviously highly qualified and I think most people would think it be, would regard him as an eminently suitable person," he said.

"But no decision has been taken by a Coalition government because we haven't even been sworn in yet."

If appointed, Dr Switkowski would replace Mike Quigley, who announced his retirement as NBN Co Chief Executive after months of pressure over delays to the NBN rollout.

The role would be either chief executive or executive chairman.

This morning Malcolm Turnbull signalled that a leader with Dr Switkowski's experience is sorely needed in the NBN Co boardroom.

"While I have no criticism to make of any of the individuals, it is remarkable that there is nobody on that board who has either run or built or been responsible for building or managing a large telecommunications network," he said.

"And given that is the core business of NBN Co, that is a singular deficiency."

Switkowski expected to face strong political pressures if he takes up NBN job

BBY telecommunications analyst Mark McDonnell says Ziggy Switkowski has the right corporate and technical pedigree to take up the top job.

"He certainly has telco experience having been managing director of both Optus and Telstra," he said.

"That is 10 years ago now. The issues have moved on. Circumstances are different. But we do know he's a close friend of the Liberal Party and such an appointment is not surprising, should it eventuate."

But Mr McDonnell says the NBN Co's new leader will have to play the politics, given the Coalition's plan to undertake a forensic audit which could morph into a judicial inquiry.

"My impression is that there's going to be quite a bit of review of the NBN itself," he said.

"Its contracts, its cost structures, the whole question of forensic accountants or a judicial review not being finally decided as yet. But one or the other seems likely and I think some pruning of the NBN itself is quite likely in these circumstances."

Mr McDonnell believes the new government will initially seek to demonstrate the the NBN has so far been ineffective and too expensive.

"That there's been a lot of waste," he said.

"It will substantiate their political agenda around cost cutting, where the NBN itself could well be a target for much of that. And it will of course also bring back into focus the key difference in their telecoms policies which is around the cost efficiency of broadband delivery."

And there are also expected to be cuts to the NBN

"It's clearly part of a wider fiscal agenda that the Coalition announced through the campaign," Mr McDonnell said.

"And the number of people working in the NBN today are probably going to start looking for other jobs."

Despite the uncertainty as the NBN project becomes fibre to the node rather than fibre to the home, Mr McDonnell believes Telstra shareholders could ultimately benefit as the terms of the original $11 billion compensation deal are renegotiated.

"There's been no significant re-rating of Telstra by analysts or investors since the election," he said.

"But I think as this process unfolds, there will be an upwards revision in target prices and estimates going forward. Under any set of scenarios in which more and more of Telstra's network facilities are to be used, whether it be the copper of their cable television network or indeed their wireless assets, to provide broadband, that provides for additional opportunity for Telstra.

"It can only be good for their shareholders."

The World Today contacted Ziggy Switkowski earlier today but his only comment was no comment.

You can follow Peter Ryan on Twitter @Peter_F_Ryan or on his blog.