https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2203/S00059/industrys-orcon-2degrees-merger-fears.htm
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Industry's Orcon-2degrees merger fears |
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It’s not enough to halt the merger, but submissions to
the Commerce Commission point out regulatory challenges that
may emerge after an Orcon-2degrees
merger.
These views are expressed in the Wispa’s Commerce Commission submission. The telecommunications watchdog is collecting industry views as it prepares to decide whether the merger can go ahead. Evidence of a material reduction in market competition would put the merger in jeopardy.
Wispa makes this point. It says because both players are active in the wholesale internet services market, the merger will reduce choice for all smaller ISPs looking for handover services.
Mobile virtual network operator
The organisation wants a condition placed on the merger that would see the company work with retailers to develop a workable MVNO model.
That’s not going to happen. While overseas completion rules allow regulators to impose conditions before approving mergers, New Zealand’s rules do not allow this.
Not everything in Wispa’s submission is negative. The organisation says there are members who believe a stronger third player will increase competition in retail phone services.
Chorus has open access worries
In its submission Chorus says after a merger there would be three large vertically integrated telcos able to provide fixed wireless broadband.
These companies would account for more than 80 percent of the retail broadband market and that change would create challenges for the open access wholesale market.
The network company does not argue against the merger taking place, but does want the regulator to consider taking steps to protect consumers interests.
It points out today’s regulatory framework is based on open access to fixed-line networks and that could be undermined by the rise of vertically integrated fixed and mobile operators.
Local Zone is the name AWS uses when it places cloud edge services close to large population centres. The key is that by being near, it means customers can use applications that need low latency.
AWS names real-time gaming, media and entertainment content creation as applications that might use a Local Zone.
CEO Mark Aue says the aim is to help customers “switch off their phone and switch on to other people”. There’s evidence that spending time away from being in constant touch helps make people happier.
Now took out prize for the Broadband Provider of the Year and the Best Customer Support. Wireless Nation was named as the Best Wireless Service Provider while 2degrees took out the Best Value Broadband Provider award.
Lightwire came top in the Best Rural Broadband Provider category and Sky won the prize for Best Bundled Plan. Vodafone was named as having the Best Digital Innovation.
The telco says it saw traffic double at sites in some holiday hotspots. It named The Coromandel as a busy area.
International internet bandwidth rose by 29 percent in 2021 says Telegeography in its 2022 State of the Network report. That’s big, but the previous year saw a surge of 34 percent, which Telegeography puts down to the Covid pandemic.
David Clark, the digital economy and communications minister has released a draft industry transformation plan. He says the industry contributed $6.6 billion to the economy in 2019.
Over the summer the government agreed a radio spectrum deal with Māori interests. The agreement gives 20 percent of commercial spectrum to Māori and establishes a $75 million development fund. It aims to build Māori capability in spectrum related industries.
The Download 2.0 is a free weekly wrap up of New Zealand telecommunications news stories published every Friday.
Industry's Orcon-2degrees merger fears
was first posted at
billbennett.co.nz.
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