Communications and IT briefing paper released
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Paul Swain today released the briefing paper for the
Communications and IT portfolios provided to him by the Ministry of Economic Development.
“Much work was done in these sectors to lay the foundations for future growth in the Labour-led Government’s first
term,” said Mr Swain. “Now it’s important that we build on those foundations.” In the telecommunicatons sector the paper
identified whether to unbundle Telecom’s local loop and whether to make the provision of telephone services in remote
areas under the the Kiwi Share Obligation (KSO) contestable as key issues for this term.
Under the Telecommunications Act, the Telecommunications Commissioner is required to report to the Minister by 19
December, 2003 on unbundling the local loop. While a discussion paper on whether to make the KSO contestable is
currently being prepared by the MED to obtain industry comment and provide the basis for officials’ advice on this
issue.
The paper also identified the development of an updated four year programme on the allocation of radio spectrum for the
provision of telecommunications and broadcasting as an important piece of work to be done this term.
In the postal sector the Government would need to consider whether to undertake a review of the regulatory regime for
postal services, advised the paper.
In its first term the Labour-led Government identified Information and Communications Technologies as one of three key
within the Growth and Innovation Framework. An ICT Taskforce, with policy support provided by the Ministry has been set
up to promote skills, infrastructure and uptake of IT.
The paper also notes that major pieces of legislation affecting the IT sector – the Electronic Transactions Bill and the
Crimes Amendment Bill No.6 – have not been passed and says it’s imperative that these are put in place.
“If this government iis to achieve its goal of lifting New Zealand into the top half of the OECD a healthy and growing
ICT sector will be crucial, “ said Mr Swain. “I look forward to continuing with the good work that we have done in this
area in our first term,” he said.
The briefing is available online on the beehive web site at:
Or on the Ministry of Economic Development site at: