Telecommunications Users Association (Tuanz) chief executive Paul Brislen was still reeling from the sheer scope of proposed Telecom separation provisions, added to the Telecom Amendment Bill today, when contacted by NBR.
Tuanz would be asking for an extension on submissions.
An usually accelerated schedule sees submissions close next week, with public hearings the week after that.
The usual select committe process usually includes a six-week consultations period.
This afternoon, InternetNZ joined Tuanz in a joint statement asking for a delay (an intriguing development for industry watchers; the two lobby groups often spar).
"There's more in the Supplementary Order Paper [SOP] than in the bill itself, and it's got a broader scope than I think anyone was expecting," Mr Brislen said.
Changes entire industry
The provisions of the SOP went way beyond that required for the structural separation of Telecom, the Tuanz boss said.
"This fundamentally changes the entire industry".
"Outrageous abuse of process"
Labour Communications spokeswoman Clare Curran said "The National government is rushing through one of the biggest changes in telecommunications in New Zealand history and appears set on handing more than $1 billion of taxpayer’s money to Telecom, awarding it monopoly status over fibre broadband delivery and a 10 year free period from price regulation.
“The minister hasn’t yet announced the broadband contract, and yet we have legislation being rushed through the committee process that indicates it will be a fait accompli for Telecom.
“Why else would the government have tabled the structural separation amendments?"
Communications Minister Steven Joyce said this morning that no inferences should be drawn about Telecom winning Crown Fibre business, and that the bill would not affect ongong negotiations with multiple bidders.
The necessary law changes needed to be introduced now, the minister said, to that Crown Fibre Holdings would not be delayed in the event that Telecom was awarded UFB contracts.
Changes entire industry
Telecommunications Users Association (Tuanz) chief executive Paul Brislen told NBR his organisaiton would be asking for an extension on public submissions.
Changes entire industry
Telecommunications Users Association (Tuanz) chief executive Paul Brislen told NBR his organisaiton would be asking for an extension on public submissions
"This fundamentally changes the entire industry, rather than just adding the bits about Telecom separation."Changes entire industry
Telecommunications Users Association (Tuanz) chief executive Paul Brislen told NBR his organisaiton would be asking for an extension on public submissions.
"There's more in the Supplementary Order Paper than in the bill itself, and it's got a broader scope than I think anyone was expecting," Mr Brislen said.
"This fundamentally changes the entire industry, rather than just adding the bits about Telecom separation."
Chris Keall
Wed, 16 Feb 2011