to accept the appointment with NBNCo. Telstra responded to the prospect of changes by asserting its intention to retain the $11bn value it generates from the previous government's deal. The NBN faced delays due to a lack of skilled fibre splicers in Australia and some work had to be re-done due to the inadequate training given to many of the workers. Delays and health concerns occurred in 2013 when work was stopped for several weeks at a number of sites after asbestos was found in Telstra pits. After the 2013 election, the former communications minister Stephen Conroy conceded that the initial rollout plans were 'too ambitious' and that there were delays in implementation. Multi-Technology Mix (MTM) Malcolm Turnbull announced in 2013 that the NBN would be delivered using a mix of old and new technology, a Multi-Technology Mix, stating that it would allow significant savings on the earlier Fibre to the Premises and earlier completion to the approach chosen by the Gillard and Rudd governments. The MTM has been the focus of criticism regarding cost overruns and the delay in delivering the NBN. The MTM includes: Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) - previously Fibre to the distribution point (FTTdp), replacing Optus HFC. Fibre to the node (FTTN) - The technology to provide most NBN connections, replaces FTTP as the preferred technology. Hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) - was to be shut down, but now the Telstra HFC network is being maintained, while the Optus network is to be upgraded to FTTC. Progress 2013 At 3 November 2013, construction of the network had passed 354,793 premises and there were 109,862 active customer services. In areas where the FTTP network is being rolled out, a similar agreement with Optus is in place. 2014 In April 2014, The Australian newspaper judged the NBN rollout in Tasmania, its first location, as 'shambolic' and 'abysmal'. The MTM approach finalised with the Abbott government promising significant savings on the earlier Fibre To The Premises and earlier completion to the approach chosen by the Gillard and Rudd governments. Initial costs and timing for the Coalition NBN were of public funding to construct by 2019. In December a new agreement was finalised with Telstra and Optus for purchase of copper and HFC networks, for a similar cost to the existing compensation for shutting down those networks. Telstra accepted $11B for its part of the network, less a discount for a