Orcon consults on MP's telecommunications review

Orcon consults on Minister's telecommunications review

Orcon's General Manager of Regulatory Affairs Scott Bartlett spent Monday in Wellington meeting with the Minister of IT and Communications David Cunliffe. Mr. Bartlett says he was pleased to have the opportunity to give input into the wholesale review process of telecommunications that the Minister is conducting.

"The meeting with the minister was definitely productive, and we were able to outline some of the issues to him from our perspective; not the least of which was to stress that improvements to the unbundled bitstream service are just as important, if not more so, than local loop unbundling" said Bartlett.

Orcon believes that an unconstrained, unimpeded UBS product is an essential component of delivering superior broadband to New Zealanders now, not the 12-24 months it will take to roll out an LLU (Local Loop Unbundled) retail service.

"The important message is that these two approaches to broadband are not mutually exclusive, in-fact we need both of these products with good service levels to deliver on the promise of broadband in New Zealand" continued Bartlett.

Many aspects of the UBS, LLU and broadband scene were discussed, with the Minister listening intently to Orcon's analysis of the current environment.

"The Minister has a thorough understanding of the intricate details of broadband, and we eagerly await the results of the current review process. It is Orcon's hope that the end result will be faster, better broadband for all kiwis at affordable prices; only through this outcome can the public and business begin to realise the full potential of fast Internet" concluded Bartlett.

It is Orcon's intention to maintain a close relationship with the Minister's office and the Ministry of Economic Development.

Orcon has sustained a high level of growth over the past 3 years to become NZ’s 4th biggest ISP, and the largest ISP that is 100% New Zealand owned and operated. Previously best known as a provider of wholesale internet and business connections, Orcon has become a household name in New Zealand.

ENDS

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