N James wrote:
On 3/05/2006, at 7:43 PM, Tony Wicks wrote:
Actually, if you read it ( I am lothe to defend the government, but ...)
Key features of the final package Facilitating competition by improving access at the wholesale level to the fixed local-loop telecommunications network, through:
* introducing local loop unbundling; * removing constraints on the regulated Unbundled Bitstream Service, including providing for “Naked DSL”; * requiring the preparation by Telecom of a set of regulatory accounts (accounting separation) based around its wholesale businesses; and * the preparation and disclosure by access providers of information to facilitate compliance with the applicable access principles set out in Schedule 1 of the Telecommunications Act 2001.
Points 2 and three are significant.
Long experience in this has led me to doubt the implementation. As I indicated in my first post on this I am skeptical about what the accounting separation will actually achieve. Telecom are very experienced in manipulation of accounting -- how else could their figures on the cost of services be so at odds with others? the wriggle room is just too large.
Neil
It might be worth noting that the govt's decisions include the following: The Cabinet "agreed that operational and structural separation are options on which the government is prepared to consider the evidence, and agreed to encourage the select committee to seek submissions on those options". This does put separation on the table. That's better than it not being there. It wouldn't be there at all if they weren't prepared to seriously consider it. I guess we have another bite at pushing the point when the legislation goes before Parliament... cheers Jordan -- Jordan Carter Research & Policy Officer InternetNZ Wk +64 4 495 2118 | Fax +64 4 495 2115 | Mob +64 21 442 649 jordan(a)internetnz.net.nz - http://internetnz.net.nz PO Box 11-881, Wellington, NEW ZEALAND