29 February 2008 Media Statement
Minister declines Telecom’s Amended Separation Plan
Communications and Information Technology Minister David Cunliffe has today notified Telecom NZ that he will not approve
their Amended Separation Plan.
“I am declining to approve the Amended Plan that I received from Telecom on 19 December 2007. In accordance with Section
69K of the Telecommunications Act, I have issued Telecom with a Notice of Requirements of further changes needed to
their undertakings to finalise the operational separation process,” said Mr Cunliffe.
“On 24 December I called for public submissions on the Amended Plan. The submissions raised some significant issues
which I gave careful consideration to before making my final decision to reject the undertakings.
“The feedback from submitters has been instrumental in identifying the need for greater clarity to ensure that Telecom’s
operational separation will be effective and enduring.
“In general terms, Telecom’s revised undertakings come close to meeting my Amending Determination. However, there are a
few areas where clarification of the undertakings is still required.
“In particular, I have asked Telecom to provide a clear upper limit on group-based incentives. This is to ensure that
Wholesale management is encouraged by those incentives to treat all its customers (including Retail) equally. I want
this to be consistent with robust operational separation.
“Other key changes requested include greater clarity around IP interconnection, as well as a range of other technical
and definitional matters.
“My thanks go to Telecom Chief Executive Paul Reynolds and his team for their ongoing cooperation in the separation
process. I am confident that we are collectively working towards a separation plan that will provide the best overall
outcome for New Zealanders.”
Telecom has until 5.00pm, 25 March 2008 to revise its separation plan.
To view the notice of requirements and for information about the operational separation process see
www.med.govt.nz/telecommunications/operational-separation.
Questions and Answers
1. Why is the government imposing operational separation on Telecom?
Operational separation has been required by Parliament. The Telecommunications Act 2001 sets out the purposes of
operational separation:
- to promote competition in telecommunications markets for the long-term benefits of end-users of telecommunication
services in New Zealand; and
- to require transparency, non-discrimination, and equivalence of supply in relation to certain telecommunications
services; and
- to facilitate efficient investment in telecommunications infrastructure and services.
Separation will increase the transparency of Telecom's business operations, and remove or limit the incentives and
ability of Telecom to engage in discriminatory behaviours that lessen, damage or exclude competition in downstream
markets.
2. What is the statutory process for the operational separation of Telecom?
Part 2A of the Telecommunications Act 2001 sets out the process for the Minister of Communications to finalise legally
enforceable undertakings by Telecom in a "separation plan".
- Minister issues determination of requirements for Telecom's separation:
The first phase of the legislative process provides for the Minister to issue a determination of further requirements
additional to those in the Act, with which Telecom's operational separation plan must comply. The Minister's release of
his determination triggers the statutory process.
- Preparation of a draft separation plan:
Once the Minister has issued his determination, Telecom has 20 working days to prepare, in consultation with the
Minister, a draft separation plan that meets the requirements in the Act and the Minister's determination.
- Public consultation on the draft separation plan:
Once received, the Minister must seek public comments on the draft separation plan for 20 working days. Telecom will be
provided with all written comments received as part of the public comments of the plan.
- Amendment of separation plan:
Telecom must, in consultation with the Minister, amend the separation plan in light of public comments, and submit the
amended separation plan within 15 working days from the end of the consultation period. The revised separation plan will
also include a summary of the amendments arising from public comments.
- Approve or decline amended separation plan: [completed on 29 February 2008]
The Minister must either approve or decline to approve the amended separation plan.
- Revision of separation plan:
If the Minister declines to approve the amended separation plan, he must indicate the parts of the separation plan that
require amendment. Telecom can be directed to submit a further amended separation plan within 15 working days.
- Approve or amend revised separation plan:
As soon as practicable after receiving the amended separation plan, the Minister must then either approve the revised
separation plan or make any amendments and then approve the amended plan.
3. What are the requirements on Telecom based on?
The determination of requirements is based on the Telecommunications Act's requirements and informed by:
- the model adopted in the United Kingdom for British Telecom (BT), which was identified by Cabinet as a useful basis
for a robust operational separation. Subsequently there was extensive consultation with BT, OfCom, UK DTI and the EU
Commission as well as broader international benchmarking.
- the government's consultation with the industry, other stakeholders and Telecom itself throughout the operational
separation process. The government's model was well-received by industry and other stakeholders. While the determination
is the Minister's, Telecom has been consulted, including at CEO level. These discussions have been constructive and
Telecom has indicated that it is fully committed to implementing the model for operational separation contained in the
Act and the determination.
4. What is the timetable for the completion and implementation of Telecom's Separation Plan?
- September 2007: Minister issued his determination of further requirements and initiated legislative process for the
operational separation of Telecom.
- December 2007: Telecom submitted its amended separation plan for the Minister's approval.
- February 2008: Minister asks Telecom to revise its separation plan within 15 working days (by 25 March 2008).
- March 2008: Minister accepts/rejects revised separation plan.
- 31 March 2008 (tbc): "Separation Day" – on which undertakings become legally enforceable, IOG (Independent Oversight
Group) established, and Telecom to have established stand-alone ANS unit and realigned wholesale services.
- 30 Jun 2008: Remaining organisational implementation requirements completed by Telecom.
- As soon as possible Telecom migrates to self-consumption of LLU and UBA products and prices
- December 2009: Business-to-business gateways supporting equivalent business transactions to be completed by Telecom.
All re-sale services meeting re-sale equivalence standard.
- By 2011: All LLU and UBA services fully EOI (Equivalence of Inputs) compliant.
5. Is there any change to the timetable for operational separation?
I am committed to a high quality operational separation as quickly as practicable. While Telecom has 15 working days
(until 5.00pm, 25 March 2008) to resubmit its separation plan, my expectation is that Telecom should be able to respond
relatively quickly, and within this time, as the changes I have requested are not changes of policy but mainly points of
clarification and interpretation. I will then still require some time to give the new separation plan serious
consideration but I am hopeful that if Telecom can respond relatively quickly we may still be able to meet the 31 March
2008 Separation Day date.
The long term timetable for implementation of Telecom’s Separation Plan, once completed, remains unchanged.
ENDS