Clare Curran
Broadcasting spokesperson
Communications and IT spokesperson
04 February 2011
Media Statement

Commerce Commission review of broadcasting and Telco regulation needed

Labour strongly supports indications that the Commerce Commission will review the broadcasting sector and believes there’s a need for a converged regulatory framework across both telecommunications and broadcasting, says Labour’s communications and IT and broadcasting spokesperson Clare Curran.

“There are critical decisions looming in both sectors which will impact on services provided to New Zealanders. Such as who will roll out ultrafast broadband in our urban areas and fast broadband across rural New Zealand, and the legislative changes proposed in the Telecommunications Amendment Bill.

The switchover to digital TV is also looming, as are decisions about the carve up of the digital spectrum, said Clare Curran.

“Telecommunications and broadcasting are rapidly merging, there are big changes afoot in both, yet they contain completely different regulatory systems.

“It’s time for an independent overview of the competitive forces operating within both sectors.

“The converged digital era offers opportunities for new forms of digital content and access to new markets.

“Yet within broadcasting particularly there is a current Government policy vacuum around access to content as ultrafast broadband opens the gateway to internet television.

“The question must be asked whether New Zealand consumers are being well served through the generation of local content and the means of distributing it to the public across a range of media platforms.

“Issues that must be addressed include whether there’s adequate support for local NZ content and how effectively it’s being distributed across all screens (TV, PC and smartphone). The role of regional television also needs to be addressed.

“In 2009, the National Government axed the review of Digital Broadcasting instigated by the previous Labour Government. The National Government has not had the courage to tackle the difficult issues of convergence and content regulation.

“Since then there have been major structural changes planned in the telecommunication and broadcasting sectors which bring them closer together. Now is the time to look at the regulatory environment to assess how competitive it is and whether New Zealanders are being best served.”

ENDS