InternetNZ welcomes ‘Separation Day’
Media Release – 31 March 2008
InternetNZ (the Internet Society of New Zealand Inc) welcomes the Minister of Communication’s decision approving the
three-way operational separation of Telecom from today.
The plan appears to contain strengthened requirements on Telecom compared with the version released in February, and
InternetNZ is pleased that the Minister and Telecom have been able to resolve a range of outstanding issues that
prevented the earlier adoption of operational separation.
Executive Director Keith Davidson says if Telecom follows the spirit of the approved separation plan it should provide a
robust framework for the future of broadband telecommunications in New Zealand.
“The separation plan is legally enforceable and we hope that there will be little need for the Commerce Commission to
intervene to enforce the requirements of the separation.”
The plan requires the establishment of a separately branded access services unit and Davidson calls on all active
participants in the telecommunications market to invest to take advantage of having direct access to this unit.
Note: InternetNZ is working through the details of the approved plan, and may offer further comment in the days ahead.
ENDS