Notice Type
Departmental
Notice Title

Request for Applications for a Dispute Resolution Scheme Provider Under the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Bill

As Minister for Communications, I invite responses to this Request for Applications (RFA) from persons who wish to be approved as the provider of the dispute resolution scheme (“approved scheme”) under the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Bill (“Bill”).

The Bill introduces legislative reforms which provide for property access to install and maintain next generation telecommunications networks in situations where the consent of multiple parties is required for access to shared property. The Bill provides for the establishment of an approved scheme to ensure that any grievances which arise as a result of these reforms are dealt with fairly and efficiently. The approval of a scheme is dependent on the Bill being enacted.

The Bill includes a new Schedule 3C to be inserted into the Telecommunications Act 2001 (“Act”). New Schedule 3C sets out the purpose and requirements for the approved scheme and clause 3(2) requires that the application include the proposed rules of the scheme and any information required by this notice. The information I prescribe as being required from applicants is set out in the RFA.

The RFA invites interested persons to submit an application that demonstrates the scheme being proposed will meet the objectives of the Bill and operate in accordance with the requirements of the legislation.

The RFA outlines the timeline, process and requirements for applications, and the evaluation criteria applications will be assessed against. Applications in response to this RFA must be emailed to DRschemeapplications@mbie.govt.nz by 27 January 2017.

A copy of this RFA and supporting documents are available online at:

www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/technology-communications/communications/broadband-mobile-initiatives/telecommunications-infrastructure-deployment/property-access-telecommunications/request-for-applications-property-access-dispute-resolution-scheme

Dated at Wellington this 8th day of December 2016.

Hon AMY ADAMS, Minister for Communications.