Vote: Communications
Output Class > Policy Advice > Communications
This output class provides policy advice on information technology, electronic commerce, the Government's broadband strategy, telecommunications, postal services and the management of radio spectrum. The following outputs are included in this output class for 2005/2006.
Information Technology Policy
This output involves policy advice on information technology and electronic commerce, including international technical developments and regulatory frameworks relevant to electronic commerce, and the Government's broadband and industry development strategies. In particular:
- developing and implementing a Digital Strategy for New Zealand covering the major areas of transforming government, digital divide, business growth, security, infrastructure, and content; and
- supporting the passage of the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Bill through Parliament.
Telecommunications and Postal Policy Advice
This output involves policy advice on services and activities under the Telecommunications Act 2001 and on the letter post market. The output includes the development of regulations where required and representing New Zealand's interests at international fora relating to telecommunications and postal services. In particular:
- providing policy advice on any required amendments to the Telecommunications Act 2001 arising from the implementation review of the Act, and supporting the passage of a consequential Telecommunications Amendment Bill through Parliament;
- providing policy advice and implementing any regulated service arising from further Commerce Commission determinations under the Telecommunications Act 2001; and
- providing advice on Telecommunications Service Obligation (TSO) competition.
Radio Spectrum Policy Advice
This output involves policy advice on the management and allocation of the radio spectrum. In particular:
- finalising offers for the renewal of AM/FM broadcasting spectrum rights and providing advice on arrangements for the renewal of cellular spectrum rights; and
- improving access to the radio spectrum by providing advice on competition issues and arranging new allocations of spectrum, with an emphasis on enabling new technologies and services for the benefit of the consumers.
Service Performance
Policy advice will be delivered as agreed with the Minister and as detailed in the Ministry of Economic Development Output Plan.
Generic quantity, quality and timeliness performance measures for all policy advice, Ministerial services and briefings supplied by the Ministry of Economic Development are detailed in Quality Standards for Policy Advice and Ministerial Servicing.
Costs: Output Class - Policy Advice - Communications
| | 2005/2006
Forecast | 2004/2005
Supple-
mentary
Estimates | 2004/2005
Estimated
Actual |
| | $000 | $000 | $000 |
| Revenue Crown | 3,672 | 3,114 | 3,114 |
| Third Party Revenue | 26 | 12 | 12 |
| Expenses | 3,698 | 3,126 | 3,126 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) | - | - | - |
Output Class > Management and Enforcement of the Radiocommunications Act 1989
This output class provides services in relation to the management of the Radiocommunications Act 1989 by establishing technical arrangements for the allocation of radio spectrum, including international co-ordination and representation; issuing licences; providing licence registration services and access to the information held on the register of radio frequencies; assisting with the resolution of radio spectrum interference complaints; ensuring compliance with, and enforcement of, the statutory responsibilities of all spectrum users; and management of radio spectrum sales.
Service Performance
Where appropriate, comparative figures for the previous year are shown in parentheses.
Licensing, Compliance Management, and Registration
Quantity
Action an estimated:
- 3,000 (2,500) new radio licence applications;
- 250 (250) new spectrum licences;
- 4,000 modifications to radio licences;
- 800 (1,200) instrument registrations; and
- 1,100 (1,000) interference investigations including 720 TV/broadcasting interference, 280 commercial interference and 100 public safety interference.
The Ministry expects to conduct:
- 250 (250) Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) supplier compliance folder audits. (All suppliers using the C tick label are required to maintain a compliance folder for each product supplied. This folder contains specified documents demonstrating the product's compliance with applicable standards and is subject to audit);
- 400 (400) EMC product audits;
- 1,500 (1,400) licence audits, including 300 (150) new licence audits and 110 cancelled licences; and
- 60 (60) site audits.
Quality
All licences will be issued and compliance audits made in accordance with established ISO 9001 processes and ISO certification will be retained, following quality audits.
Timeliness
The following documents will be receipted and acknowledged within two (two) clear business days of receipt:
- 95% (95%) of all correctly completed spectrum licence instruments; and
- 95% of all correctly completed radio and spectrum licence applications.
Documented interference complaints will be responded to and remedial action commenced as follows:
- for public safety services, within two (two) hours of being lodged in 95% (95%) of cases;
- for commercial radiocommunications, within one (one) working day of being lodged in 95% (95%) of cases; and
- for radio and television broadcasting, within two (two) working days of being lodged in 90% (90%) of cases.
Radio Spectrum Planning
This output involves advice on technical arrangements for the allocation of radio spectrum, including:
- representing New Zealand's radiocommunications interests at the International Telecommunications Union and other international fora;
- working with Australia to develop a strategy for an Asia-Pacific multilateral harmonisation agreement concerning Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) and radiocommunications standards;
- conducting sales of radio spectrum rights as directed by the Government; and
- provision of engineering advice to support the implementation of radio spectrum policy and the management and enforcement of the Radiocommunications Act 1989.
Costs: Output Class - Management and Enforcement of the Radiocommunications Act 1989
| | 2005/2006
Forecast | 2004/2005
Supple-
mentary
Estimates | 2004/2005
Estimated
Actual |
| | $000 | $000 | $000 |
| Revenue Crown | 320 | 320 | 320 |
| Third Party Revenue | 7,091 | 7,200 | 7,600 |
| Expenses | 9,846 | 9,820 | 9,270 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) | (2,435) | (2,300) | (1,350) |
Back to Top