Changes to improve telecommunication regulations

Reliable and high-quality connectivity services are vital to New Zealanders' everyday lives. These changes aim to ensure the regulatory regime supports a well-functioning telecommunications market to improve productivity and support economic development.

Following consultation earlier this year, the package of improvements includes:

• Mandate membership in an industry dispute resolution scheme for retail telecommunications providers with revenue over $10 million.
• Permanently reinstate the rights that allow fibre providers to access shared property to install fibre in certain circumstances and make minor adjustments to the rights to improve their effectiveness.
• Expand applicability of the telecommunications regulatory regime to offshore providers, where relevant to the services they offer.
• Shift the setting of the Telecommunications Development Levy amount from the Telecommunications Act to regulations.
• Amendments to the company constitutions of Enable Networks, Tuatahi First Fibre and Northpower Fibre to expand permitted activities, to align with Chorus. Agreement from the Government is required because it holds a non-voting share in the companies.

The changes will be progressed over the coming year.

For more information about the changes:

Our role in the telecommunications sector

Read the Minister's press release:

Boosting rural connectivity and economic growth(external link)- Beehive.govt.nz

MBIE media contact

Email: [email protected]