Media release
1 July 2010
NZRFG welcomes changes to UFB
The New Zealand Regional Fibre Group welcomes the Government’s UFB Model Amendments announced this morning.
“NZRFG has long held the view that open access, wholesale Layer 2 services are necessary to drive competition and
innovation from service providers to lift New Zealand’s productivity and international competitiveness,” says NZRFG CEO
Vaughan Baker.
Mr Baker says while he supports the promotion of open-access wholesale Layer 2 services, he needs to see the detail of
UFB amendments - yet to be released - to fully ascertain the implications for NZRFG members engaged in the UFB process.
“I hope the detail will give us a clear indication of the framework to work with and that the amendments will provide
the best national solution,” says Mr Baker.
“It is our view that Layer One services will only be required by some businesses and government customers.”
“Unlike many incumbent telecommunications providers, we have consistently advocated and welcome the challenges and
opportunities this new world of fibre and its associated business models provides. We will continue to work towards
achieving the UFB policy outcomes as long as it makes commercial sense.”
Mr Baker has also endorsed the prospect of regulatory certainty outlined in the Amendments.
“We welcome the clarity the Government has indicated around the likely regulatory regime for the UFB and believe it
should provide the necessary investor certainty required to make the UFB initiative work. We are comfortable with that.”
Mr Baker says the NZRFG is continuing to work with Crown Fibre Holdings to meet the UFB deadlines, something he is
confident of achieving.
“We trust that the Government will continue to stick to the process already underway,” says Mr Baker.
ENDS
New Zealand Regional Fibre Group
Editors Notes:
The NZRFG is a group of regional operators including lines companies and local fibre companies, which has come together
to support the Government’s efforts to introduce ultra-fast broadband to New Zealand. Members include Alpine Energy,
Aurora Energy, CityLink, Counties Power, Eastland Group, Electra, Electricity Ashburton, Enable Networks Ltd, Horizon
Energy, Network Tasman, Network Waitaki, Northpower, PowerNet, Unison, Vector, Velocity, Waipa Networks, WEL Networks
and Westpower.