This Government bill makes targeted amendments to the Telecommunications Act 2001. Its general policy statement says the changes are part of a regulatory reform programme intended to keep the regime up to date with industry change. The bill mandates membership of an industry dispute resolution scheme for providers with annual retail telecommunications revenue over $50 million (excluding GST), with enforcement options where a provider fails to join within 6 months of becoming liable, and allows schemes serving the industry to emerge from outside it. It changes how the annual telecommunications development levy is set (new section 85B), repeals the provision allowing the levy to be reduced by Order in Council, and requires the Minister to consult levy payers before recommending an increase. It also lets the Commerce Commission take on roles under the constitutions of Enable, Northpower Fibre, and Tuatahi First Fibre — the three 'other' local fibre companies in the UFB initiative — with the Minister of Finance's approval, aligning their permitted activities with Chorus, and makes technical amendments.
This bill makes targeted amendments to the Telecommunications Act 2001 so the regulatory regime keeps pace with the industry. Its central measure requires telecommunications providers with more than $50 million in annual retail revenue to join an industry dispute-resolution scheme, with enforcement options for those that do not join within six months of becoming liable. It also allows suitable dispute-resolution schemes to come from outside the industry and adjusts the telecommunications development levy and related Commerce Commission functions.
Supporters argue that mandatory dispute resolution gives consumers a clear, independent path to resolve complaints with larger providers and modernises the regime. Others may examine where the revenue threshold sits, how smaller providers and consumers are affected, and whether the levy and enforcement changes strike the right balance.
See the Parliament.nz ↗ site for the full bill.