Hon David Cunliffe
Minister for Communications and Information Technology

Tuesday the 25th 2008 Media Statement

Minister Receives Revised Separation Plan

Communications and Information Technology Minister David Cunliffe has today received Telecom New Zealand’s revised Separation Plan.

“Telecom NZ has provided me with its revised Separation Plan, which I will now review in terms of the Notice of Requirements I issued on 29 February 2008 and my Determination,” said Mr Cunliffe.

The Minister will not be seeking submissions on Telecom’s revised undertakings.

“In accordance with the Telecommunications Act 2001, I expect to be able to announce my decision to accept or reject Telecom’s undertakings by the Separation Day of 31 March 2008.

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Background

The Minister issued Telecom with a notice of requirements of further changes needed to their undertakings to finalise the separation process on 29 February 2008.

Telecom had until 5.00pm 25 March 2008 to revise its Separation Plan.

The Minister is required to decide whether to approve or decline to approve the Separation Plan as soon as practicable after the revised Separation Plan is submitted.

If the Minister decides not to approve the revised Separation Plan, he can then take steps (outlined in the Telecommunications Act 2001) to have the Plan finalised to better meet his requirements and the purposes of Part 2A of the Act.

ENDS

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