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Commission issues consultation paper on UFB information disclosure requirements

Tuesday 4 October 2011, 9:20AM

By The Commerce Commission

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WELLINGTON

The Commerce Commission today issued a consultation paper on Information Disclosure requirements for companies who will be building fibre networks as part of the Government’s ultra-fast broadband (UFB) initiative.

The companies are Enable Networks, Ultrafast Broadband Limited, North Power Fibre and Telecom NZ Ltd (Chorus).

Recent amendments to the Telecommunications Act 2001 require the Commission to collect information on the costs and characteristics of the UFB fibre networks for regulatory purposes. The companies are also required to provide information to support the Commission’s assessment of compliance with open access undertakings that the companies are required to give as part of the UFB initiative.

The consultation paper is available at http://www.comcom.govt.nz/information-disclosure-2/

Under the Commission’s proposal the companies must supply the Commission with quarterly and annual financial information and performance indicators. The Commission will publish summaries on its website. The first summary will be published in 2014.

Submissions on the consultation paper are due by 11 November 2011. They should be sent to regulation.branch@comcom.govt.nz or to Neville Lord, Chief Advisor, Regulation branch – Telecommunications, Commerce Commission, P O Box 2351, Wellington.

Background

The Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 introduced new Information Disclosure requirements for participants in the Government’s ultra-fast broadband initiatives. The Commission is required to implement these disclosure requirements for all participating LFCs.
The amendments also require LFCs to commit to disclosing information to the Commission for the purpose of monitoring the LFCs compliance with its undertakings to the Crown.
More information on the ultra fast broadband initiative is available at the MED website, www.med.govt.nz.