Regulating Mobile Termination Rates Investigation

Media Release

Issued 13 May 2003-04/118

Telecommunications Act: Update on Investigation into Regulating Mobile Termination Rates

The Commerce Commission's investigation into whether or not mobile phone call termination rates should be regulated has now formally commenced, with the Commission's decision to investigate under Schedule 3 of the Telecommunications Act 2001 published in today's New Zealand Gazette.

Under the Telecommunications Act the Commission is required to make reasonable efforts to complete its investigation within 120 working days.

The Commission will request initial submissions from interested parties when it releases an issues paper next month. As with its previous investigations, the Commission will then issue a draft report to indicate its initial thinking, and will hold a conference before releasing its final report. The final report is expected to be released around mid November 2004.

Osmond Borthwick, Manager of the Network Access Team said the release of the issues paper would be useful to the industry given the complexity of the issues and the need to gather further information.

"The Commission will invite submissions on the paper, which will be considered in the preparation of its draft report."

Timetable for the Commission's investigation

Please note this timetable is indicative only and subject to change.

Steps and procedures

Indicative timing

Publication of the issues paper

early June 2004

Written submissions on issues paper to be provided

early July 2004

Publication of draft report

early August 2004

Written submissions on draft report to be provided

early September 2004

Conference on draft report and written submissions

mid to late September 2004

Delivery of final report to Minister

mid November 2004

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