Hon Clare Curran

Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media

4 May 2018

MEDIA STATEMENT

The Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media, Clare Curran, has welcomed the return of the Telecommunications Amendment Bill to Parliament today.

The Bill prepares the telecommunications industry for next generation technology and innovation and has been considered by the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Select Committee.

“The Select Committee received 257 written submissions and 31 oral submissions from industry representatives and members of the public. Those submissions highlighted the need for some changes to the Bill,” says Clare Curran.

“The Committee carefully considered all submissions, and its comments and recommendations balance the views of wholesale fibre providers, investors, retailers and consumers.

“This piece of legislation provides a necessary reset, future-proofing New Zealand’s important and rapidly changing telecommunications industry. The Committee’s changes strike the right balance between promoting innovation and competition.

“I look forward to progressing this Bill through its second reading and Committee of the Whole in the coming months.”

Background:

· The Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Bill amends the Telecommunications Act 2001 to modernise it and establish a stable framework for fibre access services in New Zealand.

· It had its first reading in August 2017.

· It removes unnecessary regulation of copper fixed-line access service and streamlines processes to enable a rapid response to any competition problems, particularly in the mobile communications market.

· It also provides more oversight of retail service quality and wider consumer protections.

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