Clare Curran
Communications and IT Spokesperson

3 December 2012

Chorus comfy but consumers lose out

New Zealand consumers have come off second best to Chorus following the Commerce Commission’s decision on what the main telco network operator can charge for its phone lines, says Labour’s spokesperson for Communications and IT Clare Curran.

“The Commerce Commission’s ruling would see the price the telco can charge for its phone lines fall from its current average of $24.46 a month to $23.52, ultimately stifling new investment and innovation in the market.

“Today’s decision keeps copper prices at a level which guarantees returns to Chorus, but which won’t result in a competition battle between retail providers. Without competition for new services consumers lose out.

“The reaction from Chorus shareholders today is also interesting given the Commission’s pricing announcement is much closer to the Chorus demands than to the other unbundled telcos.

“The decision is also a first for new telco Commissioner Stephen Gale whose appointment earlier this year was marred with controversy. It reinforces views that the incumbent monopoly provider and its investors are favoured at the expense of new services and new investment.

“The decision is also difficult news for the government, which needs incentives for New Zealanders to change from the old copper network to fibre. In the absence of investment in new services and offerings to consumers, the government has been relying on a price incentive for the switch.

“It appears that this won’t be happening anytime soon and may be why Minister Amy Adams has not accepted the decision, but rather asked officials to reviews its effects and report back to her.

“Meanwhile Chorus, which just last month admitted to its shareholders that the vast bulk of its revenue would be derived from copper over the next decade, remains in a strong position.

“New Zealanders could be stuck on copper services for years to come if there are not real incentives to make the fibre switch.

“On the face of it, today’s decision is responding to what the incumbent wanted -protection of its long-term interests, rather than concern for the wider interests of an industry reliant on competition,” Clare Curran said.

ENDS

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Scoop Business: Bathurst Gets Nod For DoC Access To Denniston Mine

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved access over conservation estate land for Bathurst Resources to develop an open cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau, above Westport, to the dismay of environmental opponents.

The timing for Smith’s move avoids Bathurst having to resubmit applications for access agreements under the revised Crown Minerals Act, which comes into force tomorrow and would have required public consultation.

The announcement lands in the middle of delicate negotiations between the company, environmental groups and other interested parties that could pave the way to a broader agreement on the Escarpment proposal, whose resource consents are still subject to court appeals. More>>