Telco groups unite over Bill timelines

Telecommunications groups, including consumer representatives and telecommunications companies, have united in opposition to Government timelines on the Telecommunications Amendment Bill.

The Bill deals with the government’s Ultrafast Broadband (UFB) initiative and the possible structural separation of Telecom NZ if they are successful in their bid to win the remaining 85% UFB coverage.

It is also aimed at relaxing existing regulation of the copper network.

The call for more time is supported by CEO’s from the Telecommunications Users Association, TelstraClear, Vodafone, 2-Degrees, InternetNZ and Kordia.

With a three-day turnaround for oral submissions since last Friday’s cut-off for written submissions, each of the group members have been allocated just 10 minutes to discuss 124 pages of legislation.

This is a against a background of little or no consultation prior to Committee, which left parties to learn of new and important policy initiatives for the first time when they appeared in the Bill.

Telecommunications Users Association CEO, Paul Brislen, says the impression is the Committee has no intention of following due process or adhering to the principles of natural justice.

“With hundreds of pages submitted by interested parties, how will Committee Members be able to read, consider and reflect on submissions in three working days? “

New Zealand consumers should be alarmed by the speed at which the Government is trying to push through the Bill, he says.

“Frankly, for a Bill which has far-reaching implications for New Zealand‘s future in the digital age, plus the fact that $1.35b of tax payer money is involved, we should all be worried about democratic process in this country,” he said.

The group is calling for the commencement of oral presentations to be extended by at least two to three weeks, and that the time industry and consumer groups have to appear before the Committee is extended to more than 45 minutes.
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