CANBERRA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government's plan for an open-access national broadband network (NBN) received support from a leading global player in providing high-speed Internet systems on Monday.

    The company that will build and operate the 43 billion Australian dollar (38.5 billion U.S. dollar) network -- NBN Co -- is expected to announce early next month a short list of prospective partners to join the project.

    Huawei Technologies, which has been involved in the rollout of similar networks in the U.K., Singapore and Malaysia, is regarded as one of the frontrunners to make the list.

    The company's regional chief technology officer, Paul Scanlan, said the model proposed by the government would deliver a major boost to competition in the telecommunications sector and productivity in Australia across the board.

    "Huawei fully supports the government's decision for an open wholesale access network," he said.

    Scanlan said the proposed model would promote competition in the broadband sector, with all service providers and content providers able to access the customer base on a level playing field as far as pricing was concerned.

    He said the NBN would also provide a major boost for productivity in Australia due to the sheer breadth and scope of the project.

    "It will enable business, especially small and medium-sized companies to interact in ways not previously open to them," he added.