In the latest blow to the National Broadband Network RFP process, Terria consortium member TPG-Soul has confirmed with CommsDay that it is leaving the group.

The withdrawal will leave the former G9 with only six members, following AAPT's much-publicised decision to leave the group – taking with it PowerTel.

Terria is considered the main rival to Telstra to win the NBN RFP. Soul executive chairman David Teoh dropped the bombshell today, claiming that Australia doesn't even need a fibre rollout. "This is not a decision which has been taken lightly but, at this time, we believe that Soul's funds and resources are best employed in delivering great value products and services to Australian consumers," said Teoh.

"Soul is not convinced about the immediate need for a national broadband network especially in the current economic climate. With more than 300,000 broadband subscribers including 180,000 subscribers using TPG's high speed ADSL2+, Soul is a large participant in the broadband market in Australia. Currently, our ADSL2+ customers can obtain a connection speed averaging in excess of 14Mbps, which is faster than the base speed being sought for the NBN."

Luke Coleman at Friday 5pm AEST

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