Australia’s internet service providers are heading towards a showdown with NBN Co over the major customer service failings the government-owned monopoly supplier of broadband services has caused, particularly the cancellation of service appointments.

NBN called an emergency online meeting with Optus, Telstra, TPG, Vocus and Aussie Broadband on Monday in an attempt to appease growing anger among its retail service providers (RSPs) about problems that have worsened because of a bungled change to a new field operations model and work scheduling system.