Draft Co location Code

July 5, 2005

Statement made by Tex Edwards, Chief Project Director, Econet NZ Limited

Press release :Draft Co location Code

Econet applauds the initiative of the Competition Commissioner Webb in throwing out the Telecommunications Forum ( TCF ) code. Industry self regulation has done nothing but fertilize barriers to industry entry. It’s refreshing to see focus on reducing industry protection for Telecom and Vodafone and focusing on realignment of NZ consumers’ interests with those of the OECD.

Excerpt from the Commerce Commission’s consideration of the “Draft Code for Co-Location of Radiocommunications Services”, dated 20 June 2005, published on the Commerce Commission website:

“The Commission, therefore, does not consider that the Draft Code is likely to best give effort to section 18 of the Act. An optimal draft code would contain sufficient terms to facilitate rapid access to co-location services and consequently promote competition in telecommunications markets for the long-term benefit of end-users.”

Econet’s long standing view since the 2001 Select commission enquiry has been that barriers to entry include workable co location. Econet looks forward to a OECD style code for cell site co location so there may be OECD style competition and pricing in NZ

ENDS

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