Great decision Minister

May 3, 2006

Great decision Minister

New Zealand telecommunications took a big step forward this evening, with a government decision that will be good for the country, consumers and the industry.

TelstraClear Chief Executive Dr Allan Freeth says Minister Cunliffe's announcements will allow true competition for the first time because key obstacles are to be removed.

"The government set itself a bold target of having New Zealand in the upper quartile of OECD nations for broadband uptake. This decision gives Kiwis a fighting chance of getting there," says Dr Freeth.

"We intend to do everything we can to make that vision a reality for New Zealand," he says.

"We'll be working through the detail of the announcements very shortly, but from what we've seen tonight the Minister has made the kinds of bold steps needed to allow companies like TelstraClear to provide customers with a true choice," he says.

Dr Freeth says it is too early to detail what TelstraClear will be able to do, but he urges the government to make sure these changes happen quickly.

"We'll be dusting off plans we shelved a couple of years ago and look forward to seeing what we can do for customers."

ENDS

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