Notice Type
Departmental
Statement to the Commerce Commission of the Economic Policy of the Government: Telecommunications Numbering To the Commerce Commission Pursuant to section 26 of the Commerce Act 1986, I hereby transmit to the Commerce Commission a statement of the economic policy of the Government in relation to markets for the provision of telecommunications numbering and number portability. Overall Objectives for Telecommunications and Telecommunications Numbering The objective of New Zealand's regulatory environment for telecommunications is to promote economic efficiency, including efficient pricing and service provision. Competition is seen as the best means of achieving this objective. The Government's overall policy objectives for telecommunications numbering are to ensure the efficient administration of telecommunications numbering resources and the efficient provision of telecommunications number portability. Specific Outcomes To achieve the overall objectives, the Government considers that the following outcomes are necessary: Telecommunications Numbering Administration Telecommunications numbering resources must be independently administered and allocated. In particular the allocation, use and ongoing planning of telecommunications numbering must be efficient, must be based on relevant principles, and must involve robust processes including binding dispute resolution to resolve any disputes that arise. Telecommunications Number Portability Telecommunications number portability must be available between telecommunications service providers' networks where required, because number portability reduces customer switching costs and puts extra pressure on prices where relevant alternative services are available. The form of number portability provision and the associated terms and conditions must be based on principles of economic efficiency. Preferred Policy The Government has concluded that the objectives and outcomes for telecommunications numbering will be best achieved by means of a voluntary industry-based numbering arrangement covering number administration and number portability, in preference to the status quo or a regulated numbering co-ordination mechanism. Hon. MAX BRADFORD, Minister for Enterprise and Commerce.
Publication Date
21 Jan 1999

Notice Number

1999-go313

Page Number

121