Ministerial Foreword
The telecommunications information disclosure regime has now been in place for some eight years. Information disclosure is an important aspect of the Government's approach to light-handed regulation in the telecommunications sector.
In particular, specific information disclosure requirements canfacilitate the development of competition by:
- providing information of use in negotiating interconnection agreements;
- assisting the regime to efficiently monitor the behaviour of a dominant incumbent in areas where competition concerns may arise; and
- assisting in monitoring the progress of the regime in comparison with international developments.
The telecommunications information disclosure regime was last reviewed in 1993. The main outcome was the introduction of a requirement to disclose the full details of interconnection agreements. It is now appropriate to further review the regime and to consider how it can be improved.
This discussion paper, prepared by the Ministry of Commerce, identifies a particular need for:
- increased disclosure of prescribed services, in particular 0800 service;
- disclosure of side letters, operating agreements, and any associated documentation of interconnection agreements;
- an economic assessment of the net cost for Telecom of its obligations under the Kiwi Share which interconnected service providers are required to contribute to; and
- increasing significantly the financial information required of Telecom, including: the disclosure of separate financial statements for Telecom's local loop (monopoly) and other (contestable) businesses.
The Government seeks comments from interested parties on these proposals and invites submissions on the attached paper by 23 December 1998. The Government will evaluate these submissions carefully in considering amendments to the information disclosure regime.
Hon Maurice Williamson
Minister of Communications
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