Soul has today become the third member to withdraw from the Terria consortium of telcos in as many months.

The company has shown a lack of interest in the a former band of nine telcos — united to champion a structurally separated National Broadband Network (NBN) — since it was acquired by Internet Service Provider TPG early this year.

Terria chair Michael Egan said TPG's interest in the consortium was only inherited.

“Soul has not been an active or contributing member of the consortium [and] accordingly, their announcement today formalises what has been reality for a number of months,” Egan said.

“Terria will be bidding the right to roll out the NBN and is determined to win.

“Our bid team is finalising the plan for a crackerjack, ground-breaking, open network for the benefit of all Australian consumers and businesses.”

Egan took the opportunity to swipe at rival Telstra's refusal to vie for the NBN if the government wants to cleave the company in two.

“The new network must be independent of any existing retailer or even upstream user like a media company or content provider. It's commercial interest lies in maximising traffic on that network, which means that it has an interest in encouraging competition and encouraging innovation,” he said.

Telstra last week told reporters it will not bid if the government plans to structurally separate the operator.