Commission issues consultation paper on UFB information disclosure requirements

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 ultrafast 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.