Telecommunications Act 2001
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Version as at 4 September 2026
Telecommunications Act 2001
Public Act |
2001 No 103 |
|
Date of assent |
19 December 2001 |
|
Commencement |
see section 2 |
Note
The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.
Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.
This Act is administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment.
Contents
1 Title
This Act is the Telecommunications Act 2001.
Part 1 Preliminary
Subpart 1—General
2 Commencement
This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.
3 Purpose
(1)
The main purpose of this Act is to regulate the supply of telecommunications services.
(2)
To avoid doubt, nothing in subsection (1) or in any other provision of this Act limits the Resource Management Act 1991.
Section 3(2): amended, on 23 December 2023, by section 6 of the Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023 (2023 No 68).
4 Overview
In this Act,—
(a)
provisions concerning the functions of the Commission under this Act and the performance of those functions by members of the Commission (in particular, the Telecommunications Commissioner) are set out in subpart 2; and
(b)
telecommunications services that are regulated are contained in Schedule 1 and are classified as designated services (Part 2 of Schedule 1) or specified services (Part 3 of Schedule 1); and
(c)
supplementary provisions concerning the detail of those regulated telecommunications services may be—
(i)
prescribed by regulations (section 69):
(ii)
provided in telecommunications access codes (Schedule 2) prepared by the Commission on its own initiative or formulated by the Telecommunications Industry Forum and approved by the Commission; and
(d)
provisions concerning determinations by the Commission in respect of those regulated telecommunications services are set out in subparts 2 to 5 of Part 2; and
(e)
provisions about altering regulated telecommunications services are set out in subpart 6 of Part 2 and Schedules 3 and 3A; and
(ea)
provisions concerning the structural separation of Telecom are set out in Part 2A; and
(eb)
[Repealed](f)
provisions about the supply of certain telecommunications services under TSO instruments, the enforcement of those instruments, and contributions payable by certain telecommunications service providers to the suppliers of those telecommunications services are set out in Part 3; and
(g)
(gaaa)
subpart 3 of Part 4 sets out provisions granting statutory rights of access to private property for the purpose of installing certain fibre optic and other technology in circumstances where the consent of multiple parties would otherwise be required, together with provisions for establishing a dispute resolution scheme to deal with disputes relating to those rights of access (see also Schedule 3C); and
(gaab)
subpart 4 of Part 4 sets out provisions granting statutory rights for owners of existing electricity works (for example, power poles) to enter land where those works are situated and use the existing works for undertaking fibre optic works; and
(gaa)
provisions about undertakings required to be given by providers of certain telecommunications services involving fibre optic communications networks constructed in whole or in part using Crown investment funding, restrictions on unbundling in respect of such service providers, and the preparation and disclosure of information are set out in Part 4AA; and
(ga)
enforcement provisions are set out in Part 4A; and
(gb)
provisions facilitating the establishment of 1 or more complaints systems for the purpose of addressing complaints by consumers against service providers are set out in Part 4B; and
(h)
miscellaneous provisions about the repeal of certain provisions of the 1987 Act (including consequential amendments and transitional provisions) are set out in Part 5 and Schedule 4.
Section 4(c)(ii): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 4(e): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 4(2) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 4(ea): substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 61 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 4(eb): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 4(gaaa): inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 4 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 4(gaab): inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 4 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 4(gaa): inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 88 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 4(ga): inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 4(4) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 4(gb): inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 4(4) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
5 Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
1987 Act means the Telecommunications Act 1987
access provider—
(a)
(b)
means, in relation to a service that is supplied under a registered undertaking, the person that provided the undertaking under Schedule 3A; and
(c)
means, in relation to a fibre fixed line access service, the regulated fibre service provider who provides the service
access seeker—
(a)
(b)
means, in relation to a service that is supplied under a registered undertaking, a service provider who seeks access to the service and who complies with any conditions set out in the registered undertaking for eligibility as an access seeker; and
(c)
means, in section 155ZZD, a person who seeks access to a fibre optic cable that must be provided on an open access basis under that section; and
(d)
means, in relation to a fibre fixed line access service, a person who seeks access to the service from the regulated fibre service provider
annual CPI adjustment means, in relation to a price, an annual adjustment to the price that is equal to any percentage movement in the CPI as measured between—
(a)
the CPI for the quarter that ended most recently before the price adjustment; and
(b)
the CPI for the equivalent quarter in the preceding year
applicable final pricing principle, in relation to a designated access service, means the final pricing principle described in subpart 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 as the final pricing principle for the designated access service
applicable initial pricing principle, in relation to a designated access service, means the initial pricing principle described in subpart 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 as the initial pricing principle for the designated access service
appropriation period means, in relation to a cost,—
(a)
a financial year; or
(b)
if the cost will be incurred under the authority of a multi-year appropriation or of a multi-year appropriation proposed in any Estimates, the financial years to which the multi-year appropriation applies
auditor’s report has the meaning set out in section 83(b)
broadcasting has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Broadcasting Act 1989
Commission means the Commerce Commission established by section 8 of the Commerce Act 1986
Commission 111 contact code means a code made by the Commission under section 238
Commission code means either of the following:
(a)
a Commission 111 contact code:
(b)
a Commission retail service quality code
Commission retail service quality code or Commission RSQ code means a retail service quality code made by the Commission under Part 7
Commission’s Internet site means an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Commission
computer record has the meaning set out in section 116(2)
copper fixed line access services means the following (as they are described in subpart 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1):
(a)
Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access:
(b)
Chorus’s unbundled copper low frequency service
CPI means the Consumers Price Index (all groups) published by Statistics New Zealand or, if that index ceases to be published, any measure certified by the Government Statistician as being equivalent to that index
deemed TSO instrument has the meaning set out in section 71
designated access service means a service described in subpart 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1
designated multinetwork service means a service described in subpart 2 of Part 2 of Schedule 1
designated service means a designated access service or designated multinetwork service
document, except in section 69XQ, has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Commerce Act 1986
draft code—
(a)
means a draft telecommunications access code prepared by the Forum under clause 1 of Schedule 2; and
(b)
includes a proposed amendment to, or proposed revocation of, an approved code
eligible person means a person who is—
(a)
registered with the Commission for the purpose of voting on a draft code under clause 4 of Schedule 2; and
(b)
a member of the Forum
end-user, in relation to a telecommunications service, means a person who is the ultimate recipient of that service or of another service whose provision is dependent on that service
Estimates means—
(a)
Estimates as defined in section 2(1) of the Public Finance Act 1989; and
(b)
Supplementary Estimates as defined in section 2(1) of that Act
existing lines—
(a)
means any lines constructed by Telecom or any of its former subsidiaries before 1 April 1989; and
(b)
includes any lines that were wholly or partly in existence, or for which work on the construction, erection, or laying commenced, before 1 April 1989
existing residential line—
(a)
means a Telecom residential line (other than a party line or a second line) that was an active connection on 20 December 2001; and
(b)
to avoid doubt, includes any such line that has been replaced or altered since 20 December 2001
existing works—
(a)
means any works relating to the provision of telecommunications under the Post Office Act 1959 (or any former Act) that were wholly or partly in existence, or for which work on the construction, erection, or laying commenced, before 1 January 1988; but
(b)
[Repealed](c)
does not include any works that, after that date, have been altered or moved or added to in a way that substantially alters their character or location, as the case may be; and
(d)
in subpart 4 of Part 4, has the same meaning as in section 155ZS
fibre fixed line access service—
(a)
means a telecommunications service that enables access to, and interconnection with, a regulated fibre service provider’s fibre network; but
(b)
does not include the following:
(i)
a telecommunications service provided by a regulated fibre service provider (F) if the ultimate recipient of the service is F or a related party of F (as if the test for related parties were the same as the test in section 69U, applied with any necessary modifications):
(ii)
a telecommunications service provided, in any part other than a part located within an end-user’s premises or building, over a copper line:
(iii)
a telecommunications service used exclusively in connection with a service described in paragraph (ii)
fibre handover point means the external network-to-network interface (or equivalent facility) located at the specified point of interconnection for the relevant end-user’s premises, building, or other access point that enables access to, and interconnection with, a regulated fibre service provider’s fibre network
fibre network means a network structure used to deliver telecommunications services over fibre media that connects the user-network interface (or equivalent facility) of an end-user’s premises, building, or other access point to a regulated fibre service provider’s fibre handover point
fibre-to-the-premises access network has the meaning set out in section 156AB
financial year means a period of 12 months beginning on 1 July in any year and ending on 30 June in the following year
fixed PDN—
(a)
means a PDN, or that part of a PDN, that connects an end-user’s building (or, in the case of commercial buildings, the building distribution frames) to a data switch or equivalent facility; and
(b)
includes the data switch or equivalent facility and that part of the overall telecommunications link within the building that connects to the end-user’s equipment
fixed PSTN—
(a)
means a PSTN, or that part of a PSTN, that connects an end-user’s building to the local switches or equivalent facilities; and
(b)
includes those local switches or equivalent facilities
fixed radio station means radio apparatus comprising transmitters or receivers, or a combination of transmitters and receivers, installed at a fixed location, for the purposes of carrying on a radiocommunications service
Forum means the Telecommunications Industry Forum, which is a group that consists of at least 75% of all persons who are, for the time being, registered with the Commission for the purpose of voting on a draft code under clause 4 of Schedule 2
implementation date means the later of—
(a)
1 January 2020; and
(b)
any date specified by the Minister in accordance with clause 9 of Part 2 of Schedule 1AA
industry retail service quality code or industry RSQ code means a retail service quality code made by the Forum
liability allocation determination means a determination of the Commission prepared in accordance with section 87(1)(a)
liable person means a person who provides a telecommunications service in New Zealand by means of some component of a PTN that is operated by the person
line—
(a)
means a wire or a conductor of any other kind (including a fibre optic cable) used or intended to be used for the transmission or reception of signs, signals, impulses, writing, images, sounds, instruction, information, or intelligence of any nature by means of any electromagnetic system; and
(b)
includes—
(i)
any pole, insulator, casing, fixture, tunnel, or other equipment or material used or intended to be used for supporting, enclosing, surrounding, or protecting any of those wires or conductors; and
(ii)
any part of a line
local authority means a local authority within the meaning of the Local Government Act 2002
Minister means the Minister of the Crown who, under the authority of any warrant or with the authority of the Prime Minister, is for the time being responsible for the administration of this Act
Ministry means the Ministry responsible for administering this Act
multi-year appropriation means an appropriation authorised to apply for more than 1 financial year (see section 10 of the Public Finance Act 1989)
net cost,—
(a)
in relation to an instrument that is declared to be a TSO instrument under section 70, means the unavoidable net incremental cost to an efficient service provider of providing the service required by the TSO instrument to commercially non-viable end-users; and
(b)
in relation to a deemed TSO instrument that requires the supply of a service to end-users, means the unavoidable net incremental cost to an efficient service provider of providing the service required by the TSO instrument to all end-users connected to existing residential lines; and
(c)
in relation to a deemed TSO instrument that requires the supply of a wholesale service that is an input to a service supplied to end-users, means the unavoidable net incremental cost to an efficient service provider of providing the service required by the TSO instrument to another service provider for the purpose of making a retail service available to all end-users connected to existing residential lines
net revenue means the range of direct and indirect revenues and associated benefits derived from providing telecommunications services to all end-users connected to existing residential lines, less the costs of providing those services to those end-users
network means a system comprising telecommunication links to permit telecommunication
network operator means any person declared under—
(a)
section 105 to be a network operator for the purposes of this Act or any provision of this Act; or
(b)
section 2A of the 1987 Act (as it read immediately before the commencement of this Act) to be a network operator for the purposes of that Act or any provision of that Act
party or parties means,—
(a)
for a determination made under section 27, the access seeker and the access provider of the service; and
(b)
for a standard terms determination made under section 30M, a designated multinetwork service determination made under section 39, or an approved code under Schedule 2, all access seekers and all access providers of the service (whether they became an access seeker or an access provider before or after the determination was made or the code was approved); and
(c)
for a registered undertaking under Schedule 3A, the access provider of the service and the Commission
PDN or public data network means a data network used, or intended for use, in whole or in part, by the public
price (except in subpart 6 of Part 2A) includes—
(a)
valuable consideration in any form, whether direct or indirect; and
(b)
any consideration that in effect relates to the acquisition of goods or services or the acquisition or disposition of any interest in land, even though it ostensibly relates to any other matter or thing
proposed addition has the meaning set out in clause 8(1)(b) of Schedule 3
proposed alteration has the meaning set out in clause 1(1) of Schedule 3
proposed omission has the meaning set out in clause 8(1)(a) of Schedule 3
PSTN or public switched telephone network means a dial-up telephone network used, or intended for use, in whole or in part, by the public for the purposes of providing telecommunication between telephone devices
PTN or public telecommunications network—
(a)
means a network used, or intended to be used, in whole or in part, by the public for the purpose of telecommunication:
(b)
includes—
(i)
a PSTN:
(ii)
a PDN
public notice has the meaning set out in section 6
qualified auditor means a person who is qualified for appointment as an auditor in accordance with any prescribed requirements or, if there are no prescribed requirements, any requirements of the Commission
qualified revenue means the revenue (as determined in accordance with any specifications set by the Commission) that a liable person receives during a financial year for supplying either or both of the following (excluding any amount paid to the liable person by the Crown as compensation for the cost of complying with a TSO instrument that contains a specified amount and excluding any amount under section 85A):
(a)
telecommunications services by means of its PTN:
(b)
telecommunications services by means that rely primarily on the existence of its PTN or any other PTN
radio frequency means electromagnetic waves of frequencies between 9 kilohertz and 3 000 gigahertz, propagated in space without artificial guide
registered undertaking has the meaning set out in clause 1 of Schedule 3A
regulated fibre service provider means a person who is prescribed in regulations made under section 226 as being subject to 1 or both of the following:
(a)
information disclosure regulation:
(b)
price-quality regulation
retail service quality, in relation to a telecommunications service, means the quality of retail service provided to an end-user of the service, including in relation to the following:
(a)
customer service and fault service levels:
(b)
installation issues:
(c)
contract issues:
(d)
product disclosure:
(e)
billing:
(f)
the switching process and related information:
(g)
service performance, speed, and availability
retail service quality code means a code of conduct relating to retail service quality that applies to the provision of 1 or more types of telecommunications service
road includes—
(a)
a street and any other place to which the public have access, whether as of right or not; and
(b)
land that is vested in a local authority for the purpose of a road as shown on a deposited survey plan; and
(c)
all bridges, culverts, ferries, and fords that form part of any road, street, or any other place referred to in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b)
Spark—
(a)
means Spark New Zealand Limited (the company previously known, before 8 August 2014, as Telecom); and
(b)
includes any of its subsidiaries
specified amount has the meaning set out in section 71A
specified fibre area means an area that has been declared by the Commission, under section 69AB, to be a specified fibre area
specified point of interconnection means a point of interconnection prescribed under section 231
specified service means a service described in Part 3 of Schedule 1
subsidiary has the same meaning as in sections 5 and 6 of the Companies Act 1993
Telecom—
(a)
means Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited; and
(b)
includes any of its subsidiaries
telecommunication means the conveyance by electromagnetic means from one device to another of any encrypted or non-encrypted sign, signal, impulse, writing, image, sound, instruction, information, or intelligence of any nature, whether for the information of any person using the device or not
telecommunication link means any line, radio frequency, or other medium used for telecommunication
telecommunications access code has the meaning set out in section 7(1)
Telecommunications Commissioner means the Telecommunications Commissioner appointed under section 9(3)
telecommunications service means any goods, services, equipment, and facilities that enable or facilitate telecommunication
telephone device means any terminal device capable of being used for transmitting or receiving any communications over a network designed for the transmission of voice frequency communication
TSO or telecommunications service obligations means obligations in relation to a TSO instrument
TSO charges means the amounts payable to a TSO provider by the Crown under section 94L(1)
TSO cost allocation determination means a determination prepared by the Commission in accordance with sections 87 to 91
TSO cost calculation determination means a determination of the Commission prepared in accordance with section 94J(1)(a)
TSO instrument or telecommunications service obligation instrument means—
(a)
an instrument that is declared to be a TSO instrument under section 70:
(b)
a deemed TSO instrument
TSO provider or telecommunications service obligation provider means a provider of a telecommunications service under a TSO instrument
UFB initiative—
(a)
means the competitive tender programme, known as the Ultra-fast Broadband Initiative, to develop fibre-to-the-premises broadband networks connecting 75% of New Zealand households, with the support of $1.5 billion of Crown investment funding; and
(b)
includes—
(i)
the extension to that programme known as UFB 2, to develop fibre-to-the-premises networks connecting at least 80% of New Zealand households (which, to avoid doubt, includes the extension to UFB 2 known as UFB 2+); and
(ii)
any other extension to the programme
wireless works means any works relating to the provision of any wireless or mobile telecommunications services
working day means a day of the week other than—
(a)
a Saturday, a Sunday, Waitangi Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, the Sovereign’s birthday, Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki/Matariki Observance Day, and Labour Day; and
(b)
the day observed in the appropriate area as the anniversary of the province of which the area forms part; and
(c)
a day in the period commencing with 25 December in any year and ending with 2 January in the following year; and
(d)
if 1 January in any year falls on a Friday, the following Monday; and
(e)
if 1 January in any year falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the following Monday and Tuesday; and
(f)
if Waitangi Day or Anzac Day falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the following Monday
works includes—
(a)
a line and any instrument, furniture, plant, office, building, machinery, engine, excavation, or work, of whatever description, used in relation to, or in any way connected with, a line; and
(b)
a fixed radio station.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 2(1), (1A)
Section 5 access provider: substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 5(1) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 5 access provider paragraph (b): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(2) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 access provider paragraph (c): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(3) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 access seeker: substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 5(2) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 5 access seeker paragraph (b): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(4) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 access seeker paragraph (c): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(5) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 access seeker paragraph (d): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(5) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 annual CPI adjustment: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 appropriation period: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 chief executive: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(8) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 Commission 111 contact code: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 Commission code: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 Commission retail service quality code or Commission RSQ code: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 Commission’s Internet site: inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 5 constitution of Telecom: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 copper fixed line access services: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 CPI: replaced, on 1 September 2022, by section 107(1) of the Data and Statistics Act 2022 (2022 No 39).
Section 5 document: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 Estimates: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 existing residential line: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 4(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 existing works: substituted, on 17 May 2005, by section 3(1) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 70).
Section 5 existing works paragraph (a): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 39(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 existing works paragraph (b): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 39(2) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 existing works paragraph (c): amended, on 3 May 2017, by section 5(1) of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 5 existing works paragraph (d): inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 5(2) of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 5 fibre fixed line access service: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 fibre handover point: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 fibre network: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 fibre-to-the-premises access network: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 88 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 financial year: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 4(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 implementation date: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 industry retail service quality code or industry RSQ code: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 KSO: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 liability allocation determination: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 4(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 liable person: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 4(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 liable person’s TSO-qualified revenue: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 local authority: substituted, on 1 July 2003, by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).
Section 5 local loop network: repealed, on 22 December 2006, by section 5(6) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 5 Ministry: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 4(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 multi-year appropriation: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 net cost: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 4(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 net cost paragraph (b): substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 52(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 net cost paragraph (c): added, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 52(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 net revenue: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 52(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 network operator: amended, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 63(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 original KSO: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 party or parties: substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 5(7) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 5 party or parties paragraph (a): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 39(3) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 price: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 62 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 PTN or public telecommunications network: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 4(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 qualified revenue: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 4(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 qualified revenue: amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(6) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 registered undertaking: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 5(8) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 5 regulated fibre service provider: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 retail service quality: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 retail service quality code: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 service provider: amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 88 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 Spark: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 specified amount: amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 5(9) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 5 specified fibre area: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 specified point of interconnection: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 telecommunication: replaced, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(7) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 TSO charges: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 4(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 TSO cost calculation determination: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 4(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 TSO instrument or telecommunications service obligation instrument: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 4(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 TSO provider or telecommunications service obligation provider: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 5(11) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 5 TSO provider’s TSO-qualified revenue: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 TSP or telecommunications service provider: repealed, on 22 December 2006, by section 5(11) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 5 UFB initiative: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 4(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 5 wireless works: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 5 working day paragraph (a): replaced, on 12 April 2022, by wehenga 7 o Te Ture mō te Hararei Tūmatanui o te Kāhui o Matariki 2022/section 7 of the Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022 (2022 No 14).
Section 5 working day paragraph (e): replaced, on 1 January 2014, by section 8 of the Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 19).
Section 5 working day paragraph (f): inserted, on 1 January 2014, by section 8 of the Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 19).
6 Public notice
(1)
If, under this Act, the Commission is required to give public notice of a matter, the Commission must—
(a)
notify the matter in the Gazette; and
(b)
at all reasonable times, ensure that the full text of the matter is available on the Commission’s Internet site.
(2)
A notification of a matter for the purpose of subsection (1)(a) must include—
(a)
the text of the matter; or
(b)
a summary of the text and a description of where the full text may be viewed on the Internet (for example, an Internet link).
(3)
If a provision of this Act refers to the date on which public notice of a matter is given, the relevant date is the date of its notification in the Gazette.
(4)
Despite subsections (1) and (2), nothing in this Act requires the Commission to include in a public notice any information that would, in the opinion of the Commission, be likely to unreasonably prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied, or who is the subject of, the information.
7 Telecommunications access codes
(1)
In this Act, telecommunications access code means an access code for 1 or more—
(a)
designated services or specified services:
(b)
services supplied under a registered undertaking.
(2)
Schedule 2 sets out provisions that apply to telecommunications access codes.
Section 7(1): substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 6 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
7A Transitional, savings, and related provisions
The transitional, savings, and related provisions set out in Schedule 1AA have effect according to their terms.
Section 7A: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 6 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
8 Act binds the Crown
This Act binds the Crown.
Subpart 2—Commerce Commission
Telecommunications Commissioner
9 Appointment of Telecommunications Commissioner
(1)
There must be a Telecommunications Commissioner.
(2)
The Telecommunications Commissioner is a member of the Commission as provided in section 9(3) of the Commerce Act 1986.
(3)
Subject to subsection (4), the Telecommunications Commissioner must be appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister.
(3A)
Subsection (3) applies despite section 28(1)(b) of the Crown Entities Act 2004.
(4)
No person may be recommended for appointment as the Telecommunications Commissioner unless, in the opinion of the Minister, that person is qualified for appointment, having regard to the functions and powers of the Commission, whether under this Act or any other enactment.
(5)
For the purposes of subsection (4), a person is qualified for appointment by virtue of that person’s knowledge of, or experience in, the telecommunications industry or any other industry, commerce, economics, law, accountancy, public administration, or consumer affairs.
(6)
Subsections (4) and (5) do not limit section 29 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.
Section 9(2): amended, on 25 January 2005, by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
Section 9(3A): inserted, on 25 January 2005, by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
Section 9(6): substituted, on 25 January 2005, by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
9A Functions of Commission in relation to sector monitoring and information dissemination
(1)
In addition to the other functions conferred on the Commission by this Act, the Commission—
(a)
must monitor competition in telecommunications markets and the performance and development of telecommunications markets; and
(b)
may conduct inquiries, reviews, and studies (including international benchmarking) into any matter relating to the telecommunications industry or the long-term benefit of end-users of telecommunications services within New Zealand; and
(c)
must monitor compliance with the Commission 111 contact code; and
(d)
must make available reports, summaries, and information about the things referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c); and
(e)
must monitor retail service quality in relation to telecommunications services; and
(f)
must make available reports, summaries, and information about retail service quality in a way that informs consumer choice.
(2)
The functions in subsection (1)(d) and (f) do not require the Commission to release all documents that the Commission produces or acquires under this section or section 10A.
Section 9A: replaced, on 13 November 2018, by section 25 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
10 Performance of Commission’s functions
(1)
Subject to subsection (2) and sections 15 and 17,—
(a)
the Telecommunications Commissioner and no fewer than 2 other members of the Commission must—
(i)
make every determination in respect of a designated multinetwork service under section 39; and
(ii)
make every pricing review determination under section 51; and
(iii)
make every liability allocation determination under section 87; and
(iv)
make every TSO cost calculation determination under section 94J; and
(v)
make every determination in respect of fibre fixed line access services under Part 6; and
(ab)
the determinations referred to in paragraph (a) must, if the Telecommunications Commissioner and the other members of the Commission are not unanimous in their view, be made in accordance with the majority view; and
(b)
the Telecommunications Commissioner must report to the Minister about every proposed alteration to Schedule 1 in any of the ways set out in sections 66 and 67 following consideration by the Telecommunications Commissioner and no fewer than 2 other members of the Commission in accordance with clause 4 of Schedule 3, and—
(i)
the recommendation included in the final report to the Minister must be supported by the majority of the Telecommunications Commissioner and the other members of the Commission; and
(ii)
the final report must include the majority view and any dissenting views; and
(c)
every function of the Commission under this Act (other than any of the functions set out in paragraphs (a) and (b)) must be performed—
(i)
by the Telecommunications Commissioner alone; or
(ii)
if the Telecommunications Commissioner requests the chairperson of the Commission to make 2 or more other members of the Commission available for the performance of a particular function and the chairperson agrees to that request, by the Telecommunications Commissioner and those other members of the Commission.
(2)
If there is no Telecommunications Commissioner or if the Telecommunications Commissioner is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the Commission that would otherwise have been performed by him or her under this Act,—
(a)
those functions must be performed by the chairperson of the Commission; and
(b)
every reference in this Act to the Telecommunications Commissioner must, unless the context otherwise requires, be read as a reference to the chairperson of the Commission.
(3)
The chairperson of the Commission is responsible for determining which members of the Commission, other than the Telecommunications Commissioner, must perform the functions referred to in subsection (1).
(4)
The quorum requirements in section 15(4) of the Commerce Act 1986 do not apply if the Telecommunications Commissioner is performing functions alone under section 10(1)(c)(i).
Section 10(1)(a): substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 5 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 10(1)(a)(v): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 17(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 10(1)(ab): inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 5 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 10(1)(b): substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 5 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 10(1)(c)(ii): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 17(2) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 10(1)(c)(ii): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 17(3) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 10(1)(c)(ii): amended, on 25 January 2005, by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
Section 10(2)(a): amended, on 25 January 2005, by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
Section 10(2)(b): amended, on 25 January 2005, by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
Section 10(3): amended, on 25 January 2005, by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
Section 10(4): added, on 25 January 2005, by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
10A Power to require supply of information to support functions of monitoring and reporting on retail service quality
For the purpose of carrying out its functions under section 9A(1)(e) and (f), the Commission may, in addition to exercising any of its other powers under this Act, by notice in writing, require any provider of telecommunications services to—
(a)
prepare and produce forecasts, forward plans, historical information, or other information; and
(b)
apply any methodology or format specified by the Commission in the preparation of forecasts, forward plans, historical information, or other information.
Section 10A: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 26 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Levy
11 Levy
(1)
Every service provider, or class of service providers, specified in regulations made under subsection (3) must pay to the Minister, in each appropriation period or part appropriation period (as the case may require), a levy of an amount stated in, or calculated or set or reset in accordance with, those regulations for, or in connection with,—
(a)
the performance of the Commission’s functions and duties under this Act; and
(b)
the exercise of the Commission’s powers under this Act.
(2)
Subsection (1) applies irrespective of the fact that the regulations are made and come into effect after the date on which the appropriation period or part appropriation period commences.
(3)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations—
(a)
specifying the amounts of levies payable under this section:
(b)
providing for the method by which those levies will be calculated:
(c)
specifying the criteria and other requirements by and against which those levies will be set or reset:
(d)
specifying the appropriation period or part appropriation period to which those levies apply:
(e)
providing for the payment and collection of those levies:
(f)
exempting any service provider or class of service providers from paying levies under this section:
(g)
providing for waivers or refunds of the whole or any part of any levy paid by any service provider or class of service providers under this section.
(4)
Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 11(1): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 18 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 11(2): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 18 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 11(3)(d): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 18 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 11(4): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
12 Levy for appropriation period beginning 1 July 2018
(1)
[Repealed](2)
[Repealed](3)
[Repealed](3A)
Every service provider, or class of service providers, specified in regulations made under subsection (4) must pay to the Minister, for the appropriation period beginning on 1 July 2018, a levy of an amount stated in, or calculated or set or reset in accordance with, those regulations for, or in connection with,—
(a)
(3B)
Subsection (3A) applies irrespective of whether that subsection, and the regulations made under subsection (4), come into effect before, on, or after 1 July 2018.
(4)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations—
(a)
specifying the amount of levy payable under this section:
(b)
providing for the method by which the levy will be calculated:
(c)
specifying the criteria and other requirements by and against which the levy will be set or reset:
(d)
specifying the first appropriation period or part appropriation period to which the levy applies:
(e)
providing for the payment and collection of the levy:
(f)
exempting any service provider or class of service providers from paying the levy under this section:
(g)
providing for waivers or refunds of the whole or any part of any levy paid by any service provider or class of service providers under this section.
(5)
The Minister must not recommend that regulations be made under this section unless the Minister is satisfied that the levy will not require a service provider, or a class of service providers, to pay a levy in respect of the same period under both this section and section 11 for, or in connection with,—
(6)
Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 12 heading: replaced, on 13 November 2018, by section 19(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 12(1): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 19(2) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 12(2): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 19(2) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 12(3): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 19(2) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 12(3A): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 19(3) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 12(3B): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 19(3) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 12(4)(d): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 19(4) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 12(5): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 19(5) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 12(6): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
13 Minister must consult before making recommendation under section 11(3) or section 12(4)
The Minister must not make any recommendation under section 11(3) or section 12(4) without first consulting those persons and organisations that the Minister considers appropriate having regard to the subject matter of the proposed regulations.
14 Late payment of levy
(1)
If any service provider liable to pay the levy fails to pay the whole amount of that levy by the date specified in regulations made under section 11(3) or section 12(4), the service provider must pay interest on the unpaid amount at the rate of 1.5% per month calculated from the date payment is due.
(2)
Interest will be calculated in monthly instalments for each month, or part of each month, that the payment is due.
(3)
The amount of any unpaid levy or interest is recoverable in any court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due to the Crown.
Application of Commerce Act 1986
15 Application of Commerce Act 1986 and Crown Entities Act 2004
(1)
The following provisions of the Commerce Act 1986 apply with any necessary modifications:
(a)
[Repealed](b)
section 13 (termination of appointment of members):
(c)
[Repealed](d)
section 15 (except as provided in section 10(4) of this Act) (meetings of Commission):
(e)
[Repealed](f)
section 98 (Commission may require person to supply information or documents or give evidence):
(g)
subject to section 16, sections 98A and 98G (Commission’s powers of search and seizure):
(h)
section 99 (powers of Commission to take evidence):
(ha)
sections 99B(a) and 99C to 99P (assistance to overseas regulators), as if—
(i)
references in those sections to competition law functions, or functions in relation to competition law, were references to functions relating to the regulation of telecommunications; and
(ii)
references in those sections to the Minister were references to the Minister responsible for telecommunications:
(i)
section 100 (powers of Commission to prohibit disclosure of information, documents, and evidence):
(j)
section 100A (Commission may state case for opinion of High Court):
(k)
sections 101 (notices) and 102 (service of notices):
(l)
section 103 (offences):
(m)
section 104 (determinations of Commission):
(n)
[Repealed](o)
section 106 (proceedings privileged):
(p)
section 106A (judicial notice):
(q)
section 109 (Commission may prescribe forms).
(2)
The following provisions of the Commerce Act 1986 apply, with any necessary modifications, as specified in Part 6 of this Act:
(a)
section 77 (additional lay members of High Court for purposes of appellate jurisdiction in respect of Commission determinations):
(b)
sections 79A and 79B:
(c)
sections 88, 88A, and 90:
(d)
(e)
(3)
Sections 88 and 88A of the Commerce Act 1986 apply, with any necessary modifications, as specified in section 156MD.
(4)
For the purposes of subsection (1)(l), the necessary modifications referred to in that subsection include (without limitation) treating a notice under any of sections 10A, 187(1)(c), 193, and 221 of this Act as a notice referred to in section 103(1)(a) of the Commerce Act 1986.
Section 15 heading: amended, on 25 January 2005, by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
Section 15(1)(a): repealed, on 25 January 2005, by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
Section 15(1)(c): repealed, on 25 January 2005, by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
Section 15(1)(d): amended, on 25 January 2005, by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
Section 15(1)(e): repealed, on 25 January 2005, by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
Section 15(1)(g): amended, on 1 October 2012, by section 339(2) of the Search and Surveillance Act 2012 (2012 No 24).
Section 15(1)(ha): inserted, on 24 October 2012, by section 4 of the Telecommunications (International Co-operation) Amendment Act 2012 (2012 No 87).
Section 15(1)(n): repealed, on 25 January 2005, by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
Section 15(2): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 20 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 15(3): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 20 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 15(4): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 20 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
16 Application of section 98A of Commerce Act 1986
A search warrant may be issued under section 98A(2) of the Commerce Act 1986, and powers may be exercised under that warrant, only for the purposes of—
(a)
ascertaining whether a person has done any of the following things:
(i)
committed an offence against section 46(1)(b) or (c) or section 82(1) of this Act:
(ii)
contravened section 103 (except subsection (1)(c)) of the Commerce Act 1986:
(b)
obtaining information and documents that have been requested by the Commission under section 82(b) or 83(1)(a) of this Act or section 98 of the Commerce Act 1986 and that have not been provided within the required time.
Section 16(b): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 6 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
17 Telecommunications Commissioner to consent to delegation of some functions and powers of Commission
If there is a Telecommunications Commissioner, the Telecommunications Commissioner’s consent must be first obtained for the delegation, under section 73 of the Crown Entities Act 2004, of a function or power of the Commission that would normally be performed or exercised by the Telecommunications Commissioner.
Section 17 heading: substituted, on 25 January 2005, by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
Section 17: amended, on 25 January 2005, by section 200 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115).
Part 2 Designated services and specified services
Subpart 1—Preliminary
18 Purpose
(1)
The purpose of this Part and Schedules 1 to 3 is to promote competition in telecommunications markets for the long-term benefit of end-users of telecommunications services within New Zealand by regulating, and providing for the regulation of, the supply of certain telecommunications services between service providers.
(2)
In determining whether or not, or the extent to which, any act or omission will result, or will be likely to result, in competition in telecommunications markets for the long-term benefit of end-users of telecommunications services within New Zealand, the efficiencies that will result, or will be likely to result, from that act or omission must be considered.
(2A)
To avoid doubt, in determining whether or not, or the extent to which, competition in telecommunications markets for the long-term benefit of end-users of telecommunications services within New Zealand is promoted, consideration must be given to the incentives to innovate that exist for, and the risks faced by, investors in new telecommunications services that involve significant capital investment and that offer capabilities not available from established services.
(3)
Except as otherwise expressly provided, nothing in this Act limits the application of this section.
(4)
Subsection (3) is for the avoidance of doubt.
Section 18(2A): inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 7 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
19 Commission and Minister must consider purpose set out in section 18 and additional matters
If the Commission or the Minister (as the case may be) is required under this Part, Part 2AA, or any of Schedules 1, 3, and 3A to make a recommendation, determination, or a decision, the Commission or the Minister must—
(a)
consider the purpose set out in section 18; and
(b)
if applicable, consider the additional matters set out in Schedule 1 regarding the application of section 18; and
(c)
make the recommendation, determination, or decision that the Commission or Minister considers best gives, or is likely to best give, effect to the purpose set out in section 18.
Section 19: amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 6 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 19: amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 8(1) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 19(c): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 8(2) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
19A Commission to have regard to economic policies of Government
(1)
In the exercise of its powers under Part 6 and Schedule 3, the Commission must have regard to any economic policies of the Government that are transmitted, in writing, to the Commission by the Minister.
(2)
The Minister must, as soon as practicable after transmitting a statement of economic policy of the Government to the Commission under subsection (1),—
(a)
arrange for a copy of that statement to be published in the Gazette; and
(b)
present a copy of that statement to the House of Representatives.
(3)
To avoid doubt, a statement of economic policy of the Government transmitted to the Commission under this section is not a direction for the purposes of Part 3 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.
Section 19A: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 9 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 19A(1): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 2—Determinations for designated access services and specified services
Application
20 Application
(1)
An access seeker or an access provider of a designated access service or specified service may apply to the Commission for a determination of all or some of the terms on which the service must be supplied during the period of time specified in the application.
(2)
For the purposes of subsection (1), the terms on which the service must be supplied—
(a)
may, in the case of a designated access service, include the price payable by the access seeker for the service; and
(b)
must, in the case of a specified service, exclude the price payable by the access seeker for the service.
21 When application must be treated as application for pricing review determination
An application by an access seeker or an access provider of a designated access service for a determination that relates to the price payable by the access seeker for the service must be treated as an application for a pricing review determination under section 42 if the only term at issue is the discount specified in the applicable initial pricing principle.
22 When application may not be made
(1)
Despite section 20, no person may apply for a determination if—
(a)
[Repealed](b)
[Repealed](c)
that person has not made reasonable attempts to negotiate the terms of supply of the service with the person who would otherwise be a party to the determination; or
(ca)
the standard terms development process for the service is proceeding or a standard terms determination for the service is in force; or
(d)
the applicable conditions in relation to the service (if any) have not been met.
(2)
[Repealed](3)
The Commission may investigate whether subsection (1)(d) applies either at the time—
(a)
it receives an application made under section 20; or
(b)
it prepares a determination under section 27.
(4)
However, if the Commission is satisfied, at any time, that the applicable conditions in relation to the service have not been met, the Commission must discontinue—
(a)
all of its investigation; or
(b)
as the case may be, that part of its investigation that relates to the market in which those conditions have not been met.
Section 22(1)(a): repealed, on 22 December 2006, by section 10(1) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 22(1)(b): repealed, on 22 December 2006, by section 10(1) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 22(1)(ca): inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 10(2) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 22(2): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 22(3): added, on 22 December 2006, by section 10(3) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 22(4): added, on 22 December 2006, by section 10(3) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
22A Effect of application on existing agreement for supply of designated access service or specified service
(1)
This section applies if an access seeker of a designated access service or specified service applies for a determination under section 27 while an agreement is in force between that access seeker and the access provider of the service for the supply of that service or of any other service.
(2)
The access provider must not, as a direct or indirect result of the access seeker making the application for the determination, act in a way that is, or is likely to be, prejudicial to the interests of the access seeker.
(3)
The access provider may discontinue the supply of the service under the agreement only if—
(a)
a determination is made under section 27 for that service or a comparable service; and
(b)
the access provider begins to supply the service on the terms specified in the determination.
(4)
Subsection (3) does not apply if, before the date on which the determination is made, the agreement—
(a)
has already expired; or
(b)
has been terminated for a reason that is unrelated to the making of the application.
(5)
If there is any inconsistency between the determination and the agreement, the determination prevails.
Section 22A: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 11 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
23 Requirements for application
An application made under section 20 must—
(a)
be in writing; and
(b)
be given in the prescribed manner, if any; and
(c)
contain the prescribed information, if any; and
(d)
be accompanied by the prescribed fee, if any.
Notification
24 Commission must notify parties
On receiving an application made in accordance with section 23, the Commission must—
(a)
notify the parties to the determination in writing that the application has been received; and
(b)
provide a copy of the application to the other party to the determination; and
(c)
request the parties to the determination to comment on the matter by written notice to the Commission not later than 10 working days after receipt of the notice from the Commission.
Investigation
25 Commission must decide whether to investigate
(1)
The Commission must make reasonable efforts to do the following things not later than 10 working days after the date by which the parties may comment on the application:
(a)
decide whether or not to investigate the matter:
(b)
give written notice of its decision to the parties:
(c)
give public notice of its decision:
(d)
request the parties to the determination to make submissions on the matter by written notice to the Commission not later than 10 working days after receipt of the notice from the Commission.
(2)
Subsection (1)(d) applies only if the Commission has decided under subsection (1)(a) to investigate the matter.
Consultation
26 Consultation or conferences
If the Commission considers that persons, other than the parties to the determination, have a material interest in the matter to be investigated, the Commission must, before preparing a determination under section 27, either consult those persons or hold conferences in relation to the matter.
Determination
27 Preparation of determination
(1)
After investigating the matter, the Commission must—
(a)
prepare a determination; and
(b)
give a copy of the determination to the parties to the determination.
(c)
[Repealed](2)
A determination under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
(3)
When a determination is published, the Commission must publish its reasons for making the determination on the Commission’s Internet site.
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must: | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| • give public notice in accordance with section 6 | ||||
| • comply with subsection (3) | ||||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 27(1)(c): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 27(2): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 27(3): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
28 When determination must be prepared
(1)
The Commission must make reasonable efforts to prepare a determination under section 27,—
(a)
if the determination does not include the price payable for the supply of the service, not later than 40 working days after it gave written notice under section 25(1)(b); or
(b)
if the determination includes the price payable for the supply of the service, not later than 50 working days after it gave written notice under section 25(1)(b).
(2)
If, despite making reasonable efforts, the Commission is unable to do the things set out in subsection (1) within the relevant time limit, the Commission must give to the parties concerned written reasons for not meeting the relevant time limit.
29 Requirements for determination
A determination must, in the opinion of the Commission,—
(a)
be made in accordance with—
(i)
the applicable access principles and any limits on those applicable access principles; and
(ii)
any regulations made in respect of the applicable access principles and any limits on those applicable access principles; and
(b)
comply with any relevant approved codes; and
(c)
in the case of a determination regarding a designated access service, be made in accordance with—
(i)
(ii)
any regulations that specify how the applicable initial pricing principle must be applied.
30 Matters to be included in determination
(1)
A determination must include—
(a)
the terms on which the service must be supplied; and
(b)
[Repealed](c)
the terms and conditions (if any) on which the determination is made; and
(d)
the actions (if any) that a party to the determination must do or refrain from doing; and
(e)
the expiry date of the determination.
(2)
To avoid doubt, a determination may also include, without limitation, terms concerning any or all of the following matters:
(a)
dispute resolution procedures:
(b)
the consequences of a breach of the determination (including provision for set-off or withholding rights, or liquidated damages):
(c)
suspension and termination of the service:
(d)
procedures for, or restrictions on, assignment of the service.
Section 30(1)(b): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 30(2): added, on 22 December 2006, by section 12 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Subpart 2A—Standard terms determinations for designated access services and specified services
Subpart 2A: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Preliminary
Heading: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
30A Overview of subpart
(1)
This subpart enables the Commission to make, as an alternative to a determination made under section 27, a determination of the terms on which a designated access service or specified service must be supplied with reference to all access seekers and all access providers of the service.
(2)
Accordingly, this subpart—
(a)
provides a process for the development of standard terms for the supply of the service (sections 30C to 30J):
(b)
provides for the Commission to make, and review, a standard terms determination (sections 30K to 30R):
(c)
specifies how a standard terms determination is to apply (section 30S):
(d)
clarifies the interface between a determination made under section 27 and a standard terms determination (section 30T).
(e)
[Repealed](3)
This section is intended only as a guide to the general scheme and effect of this subpart.
Section 30A: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 30A(2)(e): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
30B Interpretation
In this subpart,—
change in circumstances, in relation to the price payable for a service, means any change in relevant circumstances since the last date on which that price was calculated (for example, any change to the terms of the service)
regulated terms means the terms set by any New Zealand or overseas regulator for any telecommunications service.
Section 30B: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Standard terms development process
Heading: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
30C When standard terms development process may be initiated
(1)
The Commission may, on its own initiative, initiate the standard terms development process for a designated access service or specified service.
(2)
However, the Commission may not initiate that standard terms development process if the applicable conditions in relation to the service (if any) have not been met.
(3)
The Commission may investigate whether the applicable conditions in relation to the service have been met either—
(a)
before deciding to initiate the standard terms development process; or
(b)
at the time it prepares a standard terms determination under section 30M.
(4)
However, if the Commission is satisfied, at any time, that the applicable conditions in relation to the service have not been met, the Commission must discontinue—
(a)
all of its investigation; or
(b)
as the case may be, that part of its investigation that relates to the market in which those conditions have not been met.
(5)
For the purposes of subsection (1), the Commission may, if it considers it appropriate in the circumstances, initiate a single combined standard terms development process for 2 or more designated access services or specified services.
Section 30C: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
30D Commission must give public notice if Commission initiates standard terms development process
The Commission must give public notice that it has initiated the standard terms development process for a designated access service or specified service not later than 10 working days after initiating that process under section 30C.
Section 30D: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
30E Commission must conduct scoping workshop
(1)
The Commission must conduct 1 or more scoping workshops in relation to a designated access service or specified service.
(2)
The purpose of a scoping workshop is to provide the Commission with information to assist it in specifying—
(a)
a reasonable period of time within which an access provider must submit a standard terms proposal under section 30F; and
(b)
any additional requirements for that proposal under section 30F(2).
(3)
A scoping workshop must be—
(a)
open to all parties to the standard terms determination; and
(b)
conducted by an employee or agent of the Commission in a manner, and within the time, that the Commission thinks fit.
(4)
To avoid doubt, this section does not prevent the Commission from conducting a workshop in relation to any other matter, nor does it affect the matters that may be considered by the Commission in any other workshop.
Section 30E: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Standard terms proposal
Heading: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
30F Call for standard terms proposal
(1)
After giving public notice under section 30D and conducting a scoping workshop under section 30E, the Commission must—
(a)
give written notice to 1 or more access providers of the designated access service or specified service requiring them to submit to the Commission, by the date specified in the notice, a standard terms proposal that complies with section 30G; and
(b)
give public notice of that requirement.
(2)
The Commission may include in the written notice under subsection (1)(a) any additional requirements that it thinks fit to specify, having regard to any relevant matters (for example, the terms and conditions of any commercial agreement or regulated terms for any service in New Zealand or overseas).
(3)
An access provider of the designated access service or specified service to whom written notice is given under subsection (1)(a) must comply with the requirement or requirements contained in that notice.
(4)
The written notice under subsection (1)(a) must be accompanied by a copy of—
(a)
section 30G; and
(b)
any additional requirements that the Commission specifies under subsection (2).
Section 30F: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
30G Requirements for standard terms proposal
(1)
A standard terms proposal must—
(a)
specify sufficient terms to allow, without the need for the access seeker to enter into an agreement with the access provider, the designated access service or specified service to be made available within the time frames specified under paragraph (c); and
(b)
provide an explanation of, and reasons for, those terms; and
(c)
state the time frames within which the access provider must make the service available to—
(i)
every person who is already an access seeker when the standard terms determination is made; and
(ii)
every person who becomes an access seeker after the standard terms determination is made; and
(d)
(e)
be consistent with the applicable access principles and any limits on those applicable access principles; and
(f)
comply with any additional requirements that the Commission has specified under section 30F(2).
(2)
The terms referred to in subsection (1)(a)—
(a)
must include the price payable for the supply of the service if that price has been determined in accordance with the applicable initial pricing principle or the applicable final pricing principle in a previous determination made under section 27; or
(b)
must not include that price if that is not the case.
(3)
The Commission may refuse to consider a standard terms proposal that—
(a)
fails to comply with this section:
(b)
is submitted late.
Section 30G: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
30H Failure to submit standard terms proposal
(1)
If an access provider of a designated access service or specified service fails to submit, in response to a notice under section 30F, a standard terms proposal that complies with section 30G, the Commission may—
(a)
give written notice to another access provider, or an access seeker of the service requesting that access provider or, as the case may be, that access seeker to submit to the Commission, by a further date specified in the notice, a standard terms proposal that complies with section 30G:
(b)
prepare a draft standard terms determination under section 30K even though it has not received a standard terms proposal from an access provider or an access seeker of the service.
(2)
The written notice under subsection (1)(a) must be accompanied by a copy of—
(a)
section 30G; and
(b)
any additional requirements that the Commission specifies under section 30F(2).
Section 30H: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
30I Receipt of standard terms proposal
As soon as practicable after receiving a standard terms proposal that complies with section 30G, the Commission must make reasonable efforts to do the following things:
(a)
notify all parties to the determination in writing that the proposal has been received:
(b)
give public notice of the receipt of the proposal:
(c)
include in the public notice—
(i)
information about where a copy of the proposal may be viewed and obtained; and
(ii)
the closing date for submissions on the proposal.
Section 30I: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
30J Requirement for submissions
A submission to the Commission on a standard terms proposal—
(a)
may be made about any matter to which the proposal relates; but
(b)
must set out the wording of any additional or alternative terms that are proposed to be included in the standard terms determination.
Section 30J: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Draft standard terms determination
Heading: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
30K Draft standard terms determination
(1)
The Commission must make reasonable efforts to do the following things not later than 60 working days after the closing date for submissions on a standard terms proposal:
(a)
determine the terms on which the service must be supplied; and
(b)
prepare a draft standard terms determination containing those terms; and
(c)
provide a copy of the draft standard terms determination to all parties to the determination; and
(d)
give public notice of the draft standard terms determination; and
(e)
include in the public notice the closing date for submissions.
(2)
A draft standard terms determination for a designated access service must also include,—
(a)
if the price or prices payable for the service have been determined in accordance with the applicable final pricing principle in a determination made under section 51, either of the following:
(i)
that price or those prices; or
(ii)
an updated calculation of that price or those prices if the Commission considers it to be necessary because of a change in circumstances; or
(b)
if paragraph (a) does not apply, and the price or prices payable for the service have been determined in accordance with the applicable initial pricing principle in a determination made under section 27, any of the following:
(i)
that price or those prices; or
(ii)
an updated calculation of that price or those prices if the Commission considers it to be necessary because of a change in circumstances; or
(iii)
if the price or prices referred to in subparagraph (i) or (ii) are higher than the existing price charged by the relevant access provider to the majority of its access seekers for the service, that existing price; or
(c)
if neither paragraph (a) nor paragraph (b) applies, the price or prices determined by the Commission in accordance with the applicable initial pricing principle.
Section 30K: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
30L Consultation or conferences
If the Commission considers that persons other than the parties to the determination have a material interest in a standard terms determination, the Commission must, before preparing the standard terms determination under section 30M, either consult those persons or hold conferences in relation to the matter.
Section 30L: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Standard terms determination
Heading: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
30M Standard terms determination
(1)
As soon as practicable after completing any consultation or conferences under section 30L, or if there is no consultation or there are no conferences, after the closing date for submissions under section 30K(1)(e), the Commission must—
(a)
prepare a standard terms determination; and
(b)
provide a copy of the standard terms determination to all parties to the determination.
(c)
[Repealed](2)
A determination under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
(3)
When a determination is published, the Commission must publish its reasons for making the determination on the Commission’s Internet site.
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must: | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| • give public notice in accordance with section 6 | ||||
| • comply with subsection (3) | ||||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 30M: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 30M(1)(c): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 30M(2): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 30M(3): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
30N Commission’s discretion to determine how standard terms determination is to be prepared
(1)
The Commission may, if it considers it appropriate in the circumstances, comply with section 30M(a) by preparing—
(a)
a standard terms determination relating to 2 or more designated access services or specified services that contains—
(i)
terms of general application to all the services to which the standard terms determination relates; and
(ii)
a separate schedule for each of those services that includes terms of specific application to that service; or
(b)
a separate standard terms determination for each designated access service or specified service.
(2)
Instead of preparing a standard terms determination in each case, the Commission may also comply with section 30M(a) by adding a separate schedule that contains terms of specific application to a particular designated access service or specified service to an existing standard terms determination of the kind referred to in subsection (1)(a).
Section 30N: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
30O Matters to be included in standard terms determination: general
(1)
A standard terms determination must—
(a)
specify sufficient terms to allow, without the need for the access seeker to enter into an agreement with the access provider, the designated access service or specified service to be made available within the time frames specified under paragraph (b); and
(b)
state the time frames within which the access provider must make the service available to—
(i)
every person who is already an access seeker when the standard terms determination is made; and
(ii)
every person who becomes an access seeker after the standard terms determination is made; and
(c)
[Repealed](d)
specify the terms and conditions (if any) on which the standard terms determination is made; and
(e)
specify the actions (if any) that a party to the standard terms determination must take or refrain from taking.
(2)
To avoid doubt, a standard terms determination may also include, without limitation, terms concerning any or all of the following matters:
(a)
dispute resolution procedures:
(b)
the consequences of a breach of the determination (including provision for set-off or withholding rights, or liquidated damages):
(c)
suspension and termination of the service:
(d)
procedures for, or restrictions on, assignment of the service.
(3)
[Repealed]Section 30O: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 30O(1)(c): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 30O(3): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
30P Additional matters to be included in standard terms determination for designated access service
(1)
In addition to the matters set out in section 30O, a standard terms determination for a designated access service must also include,—
(a)
if the price or prices payable for the service have been determined in accordance with the applicable final pricing principle in a determination made under section 51, either of the following:
(i)
that price or those prices; or
(ii)
an updated calculation of that price or those prices if the Commission considers it to be necessary because of a change in circumstances; or
(b)
if paragraph (a) does not apply, and the price or prices payable for the service have been determined in accordance with the applicable initial pricing principle in a determination made under section 27, any of the following:
(i)
that price or those prices; or
(ii)
an updated calculation of that price or those prices if the Commission considers it to be necessary because of a change in circumstances; or
(iii)
if the price or prices referred to in subparagraph (i) or (ii) are higher than the existing price charged by the relevant access provider to the majority of its access seekers for the service, that existing price; or
(c)
if neither paragraph (a) nor paragraph (b) applies, the price or prices determined by the Commission in accordance with the applicable initial pricing principle.
(2)
A standard terms determination for a designated access service may also include any other terms concerning the price for the service that the Commission considers relevant.
Section 30P: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
30Q Standard terms determination not to include expiry date
A standard terms determination must not include an expiry date for the determination.
Section 30Q: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
30R Review of standard terms determination
(1)
The Commission may, on its own initiative, commence a review, at any time, of all or any of the terms specified in a standard terms determination.
(2)
The Commission may replace a standard terms determination or vary, add, or delete any of its terms, if it considers it necessary to do so after conducting a review.
(3)
In exercising the power conferred by subsection (2), the Commission may specify how and when a replacement standard terms determination, or a variation, addition, or deletion of terms specified in the determination, takes effect in relation to—
(a)
the initial standard terms determination.
(b)
[Repealed](4)
The Commission may conduct a review in the manner, and within the time, that it thinks fit.
(5)
The Commission must—
(a)
consult all parties to the determination on the review; and
(b)
give public notice of the commencement of the review; and
(c)
include in the public notice under paragraph (b) the closing date for submissions; and
(d)
give public notice of the result of the review.
(6)
Any replacement standard terms determination, or a variation, addition, or deletion of terms under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must give public notice in accordance with section 6 | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 30R: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 30R(3)(b): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 30R(6): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Application of standard terms determination
Heading: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
30S Application of standard terms determination
(1)
If the Commission has made a standard terms determination for a designated access service or specified service,—
(a)
an access seeker of the service may request an access provider in writing to supply the service on the terms specified in that determination; and
(b)
the access provider must comply with the request.
(2)
However, subsection (1) does not apply if,—
(a)
after the date on which the standard terms determination for the service was made, the access seeker and the access provider entered into an agreement for the supply of the service; and
(b)
it is less than 18 months since the date on which that agreement came into force.
(3)
[Repealed](4)
[Repealed]Section 30S: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 30S(3): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 30S(4): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
30T Effect of standard terms determination on determination made under section 27
(1)
This section applies if—
(a)
a determination for a designated access service or specified service is made under section 27; and
(b)
that determination is still in force at the time a standard terms determination is made for the service.
(2)
An access seeker of the service who is a party to the determination made under section 27 may request the access provider in writing to supply the service on the terms specified in the standard terms determination.
(3)
The access provider must comply with the request.
(4)
The determination made under section 27 expires on the date on which the access provider begins to supply the service on the terms specified in the standard terms determination.
Section 30T: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 13 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Residual terms determination[Repealed]
Heading: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
30U Purpose of residual terms determination
[Repealed]Section 30U: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
30V Application for residual terms determination
[Repealed]Section 30V: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
30W When application may not be made
[Repealed]Section 30W: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
30X Requirements for application
[Repealed]Section 30X: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
30Y Commission must notify parties
[Repealed]Section 30Y: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
30Z Commission must decide whether to investigate
[Repealed]Section 30Z: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
30ZA Consultation or conferences
[Repealed]Section 30ZA: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
30ZB Preparation of residual terms determination
[Repealed]Section 30ZB: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
30ZC Requirements for residual terms determination
[Repealed]Section 30ZC: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
30ZD Matters to be included in residual terms determination
[Repealed]Section 30ZD: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 3—Determinations for designated multinetwork services
Commission may initiate process for designated multinetwork service determination on own initiative
Heading: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 14 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
31AA Commission may initiate process for designated multinetwork service determination on own initiative
(1)
The Commission may, on its own initiative, initiate the process for a determination of—
(a)
the functions that must be performed by a system for delivering a designated multinetwork service and the standard to which those functions must be performed; and
(b)
the formula for how the cost of delivering the service must be apportioned between the access seeker and all access providers of the service.
(2)
The Commission may decide to initiate that process only if it is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for doing so.
Section 31AA: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 14 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Application
31 Application
An access seeker of a designated multinetwork service may apply to the Commission for a determination of—
(a)
the functions that must be performed by a system for delivering the service and the standard to which those functions must be performed; and
(b)
the formula for how the cost of delivering the service must be apportioned between the access seeker and all access providers of the service.
32 When application may not be made
Despite section 31, no person may apply for a determination—
(a)
of any matters that an approved code already provides for; or
(b)
if the Commission has already made a determination in respect of the designated multinetwork service and the determination has not expired; or
(c)
if there is an agreement between the access seeker and all access providers for the supply of the service and the agreement provides for all of the matters set out in section 31.
33 Requirements for application
An application under section 31 must—
(a)
be in writing; and
(b)
be given in the prescribed manner, if any; and
(c)
contain the prescribed information, if any; and
(d)
be accompanied by the prescribed fee, if any.
Notification
34 Commission must notify parties
On initiating the process for a designated multinetwork service determination under section 31AA or on receiving an application made in accordance with section 33, the Commission must—
(a)
notify all the parties to the determination in writing that it has initiated that process or received the application, as the case may be; and
(b)
for an application made in accordance with section 33, provide a copy of the application to all access providers of the service; and
(c)
request all the parties to the determination to comment on the matter by written notice to the Commission not later than 10 working days after receipt of the notice from the Commission.
Section 34: substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 15 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Investigation
35 Commission must decide whether to investigate
The Commission must make reasonable efforts to do the following things not later than 10 working days after the date by which the parties may comment on the matter:
(a)
decide whether or not to investigate the matter:
(b)
give written notice of its decision to all the parties to the determination:
(c)
give public notice of its decision.
Section 35: amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 16 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Draft determination
36 Draft determination
(1)
The Commission must make reasonable efforts to do the following things not later than 60 working days after it gave written notice under section 35(b)—
(a)
prepare a draft determination; and
(b)
give a copy of the draft determination to all the parties to the determination; and
(c)
give public notice of the draft determination; and
(d)
include in the public notice—
(i)
the closing date for submissions, which must not be earlier than 20, and not later than 40, working days after the date of publication of the draft determination; and
(ii)
if a public hearing is to be held under section 38, the date of the public hearing.
(2)
If, despite making reasonable efforts, the Commission is unable to do all the things set out in subsection (1) within the time limit specified in that subsection, the Commission must give to the parties concerned written reasons for not meeting that time limit.
37 Matters to be included in draft determination
(1)
Subject to subsection (2), the draft determination must include—
(a)
a description of the functions that must be performed by a system for delivering the service and the standard to which those functions must be performed; and
(b)
the formula for how the cost of delivering the service must be apportioned between the parties to the determination and every person who becomes an access provider after the determination is made; and
(c)
the reasons for the determination; and
(d)
the terms and conditions on which the determination is proposed to be made; and
(e)
the actions (if any) that a party to the determination must do or refrain from doing; and
(f)
the proposed expiry date of the determination.
(2)
Subsection (1)(a) applies only to the extent that the matters referred to in that paragraph have not already been provided for in an approved code.
38 Consultation, conferences, or public hearing
The Commission may consult with interested parties, hold conferences, or, if it is satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so, hold a public hearing, in relation to a draft designated multinetwork service determination.
Determination
39 Determination
(1)
As soon as practicable after completing any consultation, conferences, or any public hearing under section 38, or if there is no consultation, conferences, or public hearing, after the closing date for submissions under section 36(1)(d)(i), the Commission must,—
(a)
prepare a determination; and
(b)
give a copy of the determination to all the parties to the determination.
(c)
[Repealed](2)
A determination under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
(3)
When a determination is published, the Commission must publish its reasons for making the determination on the Commission’s Internet site.
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must: | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| • give public notice in accordance with section 6 | ||||
| • comply with subsection (3) | ||||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 39(1)(c): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 39(2): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 39(3): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
40 Matters to be included in determination
(1)
Subject to subsection (2), a designated multinetwork service determination must include—
(a)
the functions that must be performed by a system for delivering the service and the standard to which those functions must be performed; and
(b)
the formula for how the cost of delivering the service must be apportioned between the parties to the determination and every person who becomes an access provider after the determination is made; and
(c)
the requirement that all the parties to the determination provide the service by means of a system that is consistent with the functions and the standards set out in the determination; and
(d)
the requirement that any party to the determination make payments to an access provider of amounts calculated in accordance with the formula set out in the determination; and
(e)
[Repealed](f)
the terms and conditions (if any) on which the determination is made; and
(g)
the actions (if any) that a party to the determination must do or refrain from doing; and
(h)
the expiry date of the determination.
(2)
Subsection (1)(a) applies only to the extent that the matters referred to in that paragraph have not already been provided for in an approved code.
Section 40(1)(e): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
41 Determinations not invalid for certain failures
(1)
If the Commission omits to do any of the things listed in subsection (2), that omission does not in any way affect the validity of the determination to which the omission relates.
(2)
The things referred to in subsection (1) are as follows:
(a)
to notify any party to a determination under section 34(a):
(b)
to provide a copy of an application for a determination to an access provider under section 34(b):
(c)
to give a copy of the draft determination to a party to the determination under section 36(1)(b):
(d)
to give a copy of the determination to a party under section 39(b).
Subpart 4—Pricing review determinations for designated access services
Application
42 Application
(1)
If a determination is made under section 27 or section 30M regarding the price payable for a designated access service, a party to the determination may apply for a review of that part of the determination that relates to the price to be paid for the service.
(1A)
However, subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a determination made under section 30M if the price to be paid for the service was included in that determination under section 30P(1)(a).
(2)
A determination made under section 27 or section 30M continues to have effect and is enforceable pending the making of a pricing review determination.
(3)
A party to a determination made under section 27 or section 30M that relates to the price payable for a designated access service may apply for a review of any discount specified in the applicable initial pricing principle for the service.
(4)
Subsections (2) and (3) are for the avoidance of doubt.
Section 42(1): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 17(1) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 42(1A): inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 17(2) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 42(2): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 17(1) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 42(3): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 17(1) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
43 Requirements for application
An application under section 42 must—
(a)
be in writing; and
(b)
be given to the Commission not later than 25 working days after,—
(i)
for a determination made under section 27, the date on which the person received the copy of the determination; and
(ii)
for a standard terms determination made under section 30M, the date on which public notice of that determination is given under section 30M(c):
(c)
be given in the prescribed manner, if any; and
(d)
contain the prescribed information, if any; and
(e)
be accompanied by the prescribed fee, if any.
Section 43(b): substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 18 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Notification
44 Commission’s requirements on receiving application
On receiving an application made in accordance with section 43, the Commission must—
(a)
notify the parties to the determination in writing that the application has been received; and
(b)
provide a copy of the application to the other party or parties to the determination (as the case requires); and
(c)
request the parties to the determination to comment on the matter by written notice to the Commission not later than 10 working days after receipt of the notice from the Commission; and
(d)
give public notice of the application.
Section 44(b): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 19 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Calculation of price
45 Access provider to calculate price on request
(1)
On receiving an application made in accordance with section 43, the Commission may, by notice in writing, require an access provider to calculate the price payable for the designated access service.
(2)
If an access provider is requested, under subsection (1), to calculate the price payable for the designated access service, an access provider must, not later than the time specified by the Commission,—
(a)
(b)
provide to the Commission—
(i)
a statement that sets out how the price was calculated; and
(ii)
all information on which the calculation of the price was based.
(3)
Subsection (2) is subject to the requirement (if any) set out in subpart 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 in respect of the applicable final pricing principle.
Section 45(1): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 20(1) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 45(2): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 20(2) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 45(2)(a)(ii): substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 20(3) of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
46 Offences
[Repealed]Section 46: repealed, on 22 December 2006, by section 21 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Draft determination
47 Draft pricing review determination
As soon as practicable after the completion of any requirements under section 45 or, if the Commission does not make a request under that section or under subpart 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1, after receiving an application under section 42, the Commission must—
(a)
prepare a draft pricing review determination; and
(b)
give a copy of the draft pricing review determination to the parties to the determination; and
(c)
give public notice of the draft pricing review determination; and
(d)
include in the public notice the closing date for submissions, which must not be later than 30 working days after the date of publication of the draft determination.
48 Requirements for draft determination
In preparing the draft pricing review determination, the Commission—
(a)
must consider any calculation made under section 45; and
(b)
may consider any matters included in a determination made under section 27 that relate to the price payable for the designated access service, and may make a determination in respect of those matters.
49 Matters to be included in draft determination
The draft pricing review determination must include—
(a)
the price payable for the designated access service, which, in the opinion of the Commission, is determined in accordance with—
(i)
(ii)
any regulations that relate to the applicable final pricing principle or, if there are no regulations, any requirements of the Commission; and
(b)
if the Commission has considered any matters that relate to the price payable for the designated access service under section 48(b), the Commission’s determination (if any) of those matters; and
(c)
the reasons for the determination; and
(d)
the terms and conditions on which the determination is proposed to be made; and
(e)
the actions (if any) that a party to the determination must do or refrain from doing; and
(f)
the proposed expiry date of the determination.
Section 49(a)(ii): substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 22 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Consultation
50 Consultation or conferences
If the Commission considers that persons, other than the parties to the determination, have a material interest in the matter to be determined, the Commission must, before preparing a determination under section 51, either consult those persons or hold conferences in relation to the matter.
Determination
51 Pricing review determination
(1)
As soon as practicable after completing any consultation or conferences under section 50, the Commission must—
(a)
prepare the pricing review determination; and
(b)
give a copy of the determination to the parties to the determination.
(c)
[Repealed](2)
To avoid doubt, a determination made under section 27 continues to have effect and is enforceable to the extent that it has not been altered by a pricing review determination.
(3)
A determination under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
(4)
When a price review determination is published, the Commission must publish on the Commission’s Internet site the Commission’s reasons for making—
(a)
the price review determination; and
(b)
any determination referred to in section 52(b).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must: | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| • give public notice in accordance with section 6 | ||||
| • comply with subsection (4) | ||||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 51(1)(c): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 51(3): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 51(4): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
52 Matters to be included in determination
A pricing review determination must include—
(a)
the price payable for the designated access service, which, in the opinion of the Commission, is determined in accordance with—
(i)
(ii)
any regulations that relate to the applicable final pricing principle or, if there are no regulations, any requirements of the Commission; and
(b)
if the Commission has considered any matters that relate to the price payable for the designated access service under section 48(b) and has made a determination in respect of those matters, that determination; and
(c)
[Repealed](d)
the terms and conditions (if any) on which the pricing review determination and the determination referred to in paragraph (b) (if any) is made; and
(e)
the actions (if any) that a party to the determination must do or refrain from doing; and
(f)
the expiry date of the determination.
Section 52(a)(ii): substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 23 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 52(c): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Subpart 5—Supplementary provisions for all determinations
53 Procedure for determinations
For a determination made under this Part, the Commission—
(a)
is not bound by technicalities, legal forms, or rules of evidence:
(b)
may inform itself of any matter relevant to the determination in any way it thinks appropriate:
(c)
must consider all submissions made in relation to the determination and all information and opinions presented or expressed at any conference or public hearing in relation to the determination.
54 Applicant may withdraw
(1)
An applicant in respect of a determination (except a standard terms determination or a designated multinetwork determination) may, at any time, withdraw the application by written notice to the Commission.
(2)
If the Commission receives a notice of withdrawal under subsection (1), then it must—
(a)
notify all the parties to the determination of the withdrawal; and
(b)
cease preparation of the determination concerned; and
(c)
determine any costs under sections 55 and 56.
Section 54(1): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 24 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
55 Commission’s costs
(1)
The costs of the Commission in relation to a determination or application for a determination (including the costs of any expert advice) must be met by the parties to the determination in the proportions directed by the Commission in writing.
(2)
The Commission’s costs in relation to a standard terms determination, or a pricing review determination in relation to a standard terms determination, may be met—
(a)
in the manner provided under subsection (1); or
(b)
by way of a levy under section 11; or
(c)
by a combination of the ways referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b).
Section 55(2): added, on 22 December 2006, by section 25 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
56 Parties’ costs
(1)
Subject to subsection (2), each party bears his or her own costs in relation to a determination or application for a determination.
(2)
The Commission may, by written direction to a party to a determination, require that person to meet some or all of the other party’s costs in respect of a determination or application for a determination if, in the opinion of the Commission, the party has materially contributed to any costs or unreasonable delay.
(3)
The direction must specify the amount payable by each person.
57 Enforcing directions given under section 55 or section 56(2)
(1)
The Commission may enforce a direction given under section 55 by filing it in the prescribed form in the Wellington Registry of the High Court.
(2)
A party to a determination in respect of which a direction has been given under section 56(2) may enforce that direction by filing it in the Wellington Registry of the High Court.
(3)
A direction that is filed in the High Court under this section is enforceable as a judgment of the High Court in its civil jurisdiction.
58 Clarification of determination
(1)
The Commission may amend a determination for the purpose of making a clarification if—
(a)
at any time the Commission, on its own initiative or on the application of any person, considers that a determination requires clarification; and
(b)
[Repealed](c)
no appeal is pending in respect of the determination.
(2)
An amendment under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must give public notice in accordance with section 6 | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 58(1)(b): repealed, on 22 December 2006, by section 26 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 58(2): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
59 Reconsideration of determination
(1)
Subject to subsection (2), the Commission may at any time, on the application of a party to a determination, revoke or amend the determination or revoke the determination and make a further determination in substitution for it if the Commission considers that—
(a)
there has been a material change of circumstances since the date on which a determination was made or last reconsidered; or
(b)
[Repealed](c)
the determination was made on the basis of information that was false or misleading in a material particular.
(2)
A determination may not be reconsidered if an appeal is pending in respect of the determination.
(3)
In reconsidering a determination, the Commission must follow the same process that was followed for the initial determination.
(4)
To avoid doubt, a determination continues to have effect and is enforceable pending its reconsideration under this section.
(5)
A revocation or amendment under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must give public notice in accordance with section 6 | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 59(1)(b): repealed, on 22 December 2006, by section 27 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 59(5): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
60 Appeals from certain determinations under Part 2
(1)
Subject to subsection (2), a party to a determination made under this Part may appeal to the High Court against—
(a)
a direction of the Commission under section 55 or section 56(2):
(b)
the determination (including an amendment to a determination made under section 58 or a determination that has been reconsidered under section 59) on a question of law:
(c)
a decision of the Commission not to clarify a determination under section 58 on a question of law:
(d)
a decision of the Commission not to reconsider a determination under section 59 on a question of law.
(2)
No party may appeal against a determination made under this Part—
(a)
while a clarification of the determination under section 58 is pending; or
(b)
while a reconsideration of the determination under section 59 is pending.
(3)
If appeal or judicial review proceedings are commenced in respect of a determination, then, until the proceedings are finally disposed of, the determination continues to have effect and is enforceable as if the proceedings had not been commenced.
(4)
The decision of the High Court on appeal from a determination is final unless leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal is given by the High Court or, if leave is refused by the High Court, by the Court of Appeal.
(5)
[Repealed]Section 60(5): repealed, on 1 January 2004, by section 48(2) of the Supreme Court Act 2003 (2003 No 53).
61 Enforcing determinations of Commission
[Repealed]Section 61: repealed, on 22 December 2006, by section 28 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
62 Expiry of determinations
Every determination expires on the earlier of—
(a)
the expiry date stated in the determination (if any); or
(b)
the date on which the designated service or specified service to which the determination applies ceases to have that status because it has been omitted from Schedule 1 under section 66(1)(b).
Section 62: substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 29 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 62(b): editorial change made by the PCO, on 27 May 2025, under sections 86(1) and 87(l)(iii) of the Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 58).
63 Application of Commerce Act 1986
Part 2 of the Commerce Act 1986 does not apply in respect of a determination made under this Part or any matter necessary for giving effect to a determination made under this Part.
Subpart 6—Matters relating to regulation-making powers for designated services and specified services
64 Mandatory review of local loop unbundling and access to, and interconnection with, Telecom’s fixed PDN
[Repealed]Section 64: repealed, on 22 December 2006, by section 30 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
65 Expiry of designated services and specified services
[Repealed]Section 65: repealed, on 22 December 2006, by section 30 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
66 Alterations to Part 2 or Part 3 of Schedule 1
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, amend Part 2, or Part 3, of Schedule 1 by—
(a)
adding a telecommunications service to the Part and setting out in relation to that service—
(i)
a description of the service; and
(ii)
any applicable conditions; and
(iii)
a description of the access providers and access seekers; and
(iv)
(v)
in the case of a service being added to subpart 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1,—
(A)
any applicable initial pricing principle; and
(B)
the applicable final pricing principle; and
(C)
any requirement referred to in section 45 for the applicable final pricing principle; and
(D)
any additional matters that must be considered regarding the application of section 18:
(b)
omitting a telecommunications service from the Part:
(c)
in respect of a service, amending—
(i)
the description of the service:
(ii)
any applicable conditions:
(iii)
the description of access seekers:
(iv)
the description of access providers:
(v)
the description of the applicable access principles:
(vi)
the description of the limits (if any) on the applicable access principles:
(vii)
any applicable initial pricing principle and the applicable final pricing principle:
(viii)
any requirement referred to in section 45 for the applicable final pricing principle:
(ix)
any additional matters that must be considered regarding the application of section 18.
(2)
An order under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 66(1)(a)(v)(A): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 7(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 66(1)(c)(vii): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 7(2) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 66(2): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
67 Alterations to clauses 1 to 6 of Schedule 1
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, amend any of clauses 1 to 6 of Schedule 1.
(2)
An order under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 67(2): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
68 Minister’s recommendation subject to procedure in Schedule 3
(1)
The Minister must not make a recommendation under section 66 or 67 unless the Minister accepts the Commission’s recommendation that the proposed alteration be made.
(2)
(3)
This section does not prevent the Minister from making a recommendation under section 66 or 67 to amend the detail of a proposed alteration so long as the recommendation—
(a)
implements the effect of the Commission’s recommendation on the proposed alteration; and
(b)
does not differ from that recommendation in any material way (for example, other than in matters of drafting style or minor detail).
Section 68: substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 31 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
68A Application of Schedule 3A
(1)
Schedule 3A applies if Schedule 3 applies.
(2)
However, Schedule 3A does not limit Schedule 3.
Section 68A: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 31 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
69 Regulations
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations for all or any of the following purposes:
(a)
providing for the application of applicable access principles under section 29(a):
(b)
providing for the application of the applicable initial pricing principle under section 29(c):
(c)
prescribing a method or methods for the calculation of the price payable under section 45(2), which must be consistent with the applicable final pricing principle:
(d)
providing for the determination of the price payable under section 49(a), which must be consistent with the applicable final pricing principle:
(e)
providing for the determination of the price payable under section 52(a), which must be consistent with the applicable final pricing principle:
(f)
providing requirements relating to the information that must be provided to the Commission in relation to all or any of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) to (e):
(g)
providing for any other matters contemplated by this Part, necessary for its administration, or necessary for giving it full effect.
(2)
The Minister must not make a recommendation under subsection (1) unless the Commission has recommended the making of the regulations.
(3)
Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 69(3): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Part 2AA Deregulating copper fixed line access services
Part 2AA: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 8 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 1—Purpose
Subpart 1: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 8 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69AA Purpose
The purpose of this Part is to—
(a)
deregulate copper fixed line access services in areas where fibre fixed line access services are available; and
(b)
provide protections for end-users of copper fixed line access services and certain other designated services in deregulated areas; and
(c)
provide for the Commission to investigate whether the regulation of copper fixed line access services and certain other designated services should be altered.
Section 69AA: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 8 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 2—Deregulating copper fixed line access services
Subpart 2: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 8 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69AB Specified fibre areas
(1)
The Commission must, before 1 January 2020 and at least annually thereafter, carry out an assessment to determine the geographic areas in which a specified fibre service is available to end-users.
(2)
The Commission must, by public notice, declare an area to be a specified fibre area if the Commission determines in an assessment under subsection (1) that a specified fibre service is available to end-users in the area.
(3)
A notice under this section must specify the date on and after which the area is to be a specified fibre area, and that date must not be before 1 January 2020.
(4)
A notice under this section may describe an area by any means, including (without limitation)—
(a)
by use of a map; and
(b)
by a narrative description of the area.
(5)
The Commission must maintain a record of all specified fibre areas that is available, at all reasonable times, for inspection on the Commission’s Internet site in an electronic form that is publicly accessible.
(6)
In this section, specified fibre service means either of the following:
(a)
a fibre fixed line access service:
(b)
a telecommunications service provided by a regulated fibre service provider (F) over fibre media where the ultimate recipient of the service is F or a related party of F (as if the test for related parties were the same as the test in section 69U, applied with any necessary modifications).
Section 69AB: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 8 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69AC Withdrawal of copper fixed line access services
(1)
This section applies if—
(a)
Chorus is required by a standard terms determination made under section 30M to supply a copper fixed line access service to an access seeker; and
(b)
Chorus started supplying the service at a time when the end-user’s building (or, where relevant, the building’s distribution frame) was not located in a specified fibre area; and
(c)
as a result of a notice under section 69AB,—
(i)
the end-user’s building (or, where relevant, the building’s distribution frame) becomes located in a specified fibre area; and
(ii)
the service ceases to be a designated access service in the specified fibre area on and after the date specified in the notice.
(2)
Chorus may stop supplying the service referred to in subsection (1) only if—
(a)
a copper withdrawal code has been approved and Chorus complies with the requirements of the code in relation to stopping the supply of the service; or
(b)
the end-user chooses to have the service disconnected (other than a temporary disconnection).
(3)
To avoid doubt, Chorus is not required to—
(a)
supply a service that ceases to be a designated access service in relation to a new end-user; or
(b)
resupply a service that Chorus has stopped supplying in accordance with subsection (2).
Section 69AC: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 8 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69AD Withdrawal of certain designated access services
(1)
This section applies if—
(a)
Chorus is required by a standard terms determination made under section 30M to supply a relevant service to an access seeker; and
(b)
Chorus started supplying the service at a time when the service was a designated access service; and
(c)
as a result of section 13 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018, the service ceases to be a designated access service on and after 1 January 2020.
(2)
Chorus may stop supplying the service only if—
(a)
a copper withdrawal code has been approved and Chorus complies with the requirements of the code in relation to stopping the supply of the service; or
(b)
the end-user chooses to have the service disconnected (other than a temporary disconnection).
(3)
To avoid doubt, Chorus is not required to—
(a)
supply a service that ceases to be a designated access service in relation to a new end-user; or
(b)
resupply a service that Chorus has stopped supplying in accordance with subsection (2).
(4)
In this section, relevant service means either of the following:
(a)
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network:
(b)
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (distribution cabinet to telephone exchange).
Section 69AD: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 8 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69AE Application of certain TSO instruments in specified fibre areas
Despite anything in this Act, the following TSO instruments cease to apply in relation to an area that becomes a specified fibre area:
(a)
Telecommunications Service Obligations (TSO) Deed for Local Residential Telephone Service (except to the extent that it relates to 111 call services):
(b)
Telecommunications Service Obligations (TSO) Deed for TSO Network Service.
Section 69AE: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 8 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69AF Copper withdrawal code
(1)
In this Part, copper withdrawal code means the code approved under Schedule 2A.
(2)
Schedule 2A sets out the provisions that apply to the copper withdrawal code.
Section 69AF: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 8 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 3—Price regulated copper services
Subpart 3: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 8 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69AG Continued application of certain standard terms determinations
(1)
Subsection (2) applies to a standard terms determination made under section 30M that, immediately before 1 January 2020, applies to 1 or more of the following services:
(a)
Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access backhaul:
(b)
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network co-location:
(c)
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (telephone exchange to interconnect point).
(2)
Despite anything in this Act, during the period starting on 1 January 2020 and ending on the close of the day immediately before the copper review date for the relevant service,—
(a)
the determination continues to apply to the relevant service; and
(b)
sections 30R and 59 do not apply in respect of the determination.
(3)
For the purposes of subsection (2)(a),—
(a)
the prices that apply are the year 5 prices specified in the determination; and
(b)
those prices increase or decrease (as appropriate) by an annual CPI adjustment on 16 December in each year (starting on 16 December 2020).
(4)
Subsection (5) applies to a standard terms determination made under section 30M that, immediately before 16 December 2019, applies to 1 or both of the following services:
(a)
Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access:
(b)
Chorus’s unbundled copper low frequency service.
(5)
Despite anything in this Act, during the period starting on 16 December 2019 and ending on the close of the day immediately before the copper review date for the relevant service,—
(a)
the determination continues to apply to the relevant service; and
(b)
sections 30R and 59 do not apply in respect of the determination.
(6)
For the purposes of subsection (5)(a),—
(a)
the prices that apply are the year 5 prices specified in the determination; and
(b)
those prices increase or decrease (as appropriate) by an annual CPI adjustment on 16 December in each year (starting on 16 December 2020).
(7)
On and after the copper review date for a service referred to in subsection (1) or (4),—
(a)
the standard terms determination for the service continues to apply; and
(b)
Part 2 (including sections 30R and 59) applies in respect of the determination; and
(c)
unless the maximum prices in the determination are amended in accordance with Part 2, the maximum prices under the determination are those that applied immediately before the copper review date.
(8)
In this section, copper review date for a service means the date on which the Commission completes, in relation to the service,—
(a)
the investigation referred to in section 69AH(1)(a); or
(b)
any other investigation under Schedule 3 that starts on or after 1 January 2020.
Section 69AG: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 8 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 4—Investigation
Subpart 4: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 8 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69AH Schedule 3 modified for investigation of certain copper services
(1)
Despite clause 1 of Schedule 3, the Commission must—
(a)
complete, by no later than 31 December 2025, an investigation under Part 1 of Schedule 3 into whether Schedule 1 should be altered in any of the ways set out in section 66 or 67 in respect of the regulation of the following:
(i)
copper fixed line access services:
(ii)
Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access backhaul:
(iii)
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network co-location:
(iv)
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (telephone exchange to interconnect point); or
(b)
provide, within a reasonable time after 31 December 2025, written reasons why there were not reasonable grounds for starting such an investigation.
(2)
An investigation referred to in subsection (1)(a) must be completed in accordance withPart 1 of Schedule 3, except that the 240-working-days deadline referred to in clause 4(1) of Schedule 3 does not apply to the investigation.
Section 69AH: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 8 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Part 2A Structural separation of Telecom
Part 2A: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Subpart 1—Preliminary provisions
Subpart 1 heading: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69A Purpose of Part
The purpose of this Part is to provide for matters relating to the structural separation of Telecom to facilitate—
(a)
the promotion of competition in telecommunications markets for the long-term benefit of end-users of telecommunications services in New Zealand; and
(b)
efficient investment in telecommunications infrastructure and services.
Section 69A: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69B Interpretation
In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,—
asset—
(a)
means property of any kind, whether or not situated in New Zealand, whether tangible or intangible, real or personal, corporeal or incorporeal, and whether or not subject to rights; and
(b)
includes—
(i)
estates or interests in any land, including rights of occupation of land or buildings:
(ii)
buildings, vehicles, plant, equipment, machinery, fixtures and fittings, and rights in them:
(iii)
choses in action and money:
(iv)
rights of any kind, and applications, objections, submissions, and appeals in respect of those rights:
(v)
intellectual property and applications pending for intellectual property:
(vi)
goodwill, and any business undertaking
Chorus—
(a)
means ChorusCo; and
(b)
includes any of its subsidiaries
ChorusCo means the company that is to be demerged from Telecom on separation day in accordance with the demerger arrangement
demerger arrangement means an arrangement approved by the court pursuant to Part 15 of the Companies Act 1993 on the application of Telecom involving the distribution of 100% of the ordinary shares held by Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited in ChorusCo to the holders (including a nominee for holders) of ordinary shares in Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited
liabilities means liabilities, debts, charges, duties, and obligations of every description, whether present or future, actual or contingent, and whether payable or to be observed or performed in New Zealand or elsewhere
related party has the meaning set out in section 69U
rights includes all rights, powers, privileges, interests, leases, licences, approvals, consents, designations, permissions, dispensations, authorisations, benefits, defences, immunities, claims, and equities of any kind, whether arising from, accruing under, created or evidenced by, or the subject of, an instrument or otherwise, and whether liquidated or unliquidated, actual, contingent, or prospective
separation day means the day on which Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited distributes 100% of the ordinary shares it holds in ChorusCo in accordance with the demerger arrangement.
Section 69B: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Subpart 2—Monitoring of shared assets, services, and systems
Subpart 2 heading: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69C Interpretation
In this subpart, unless the context otherwise requires,—
arm’s-length has the meaning set out in section 69D
executed, in relation to a sharing arrangement or a material amendment to a sharing arrangement, means signed under the name of the relevant company by a person acting under the company’s authority
sharing arrangement—
(a)
means an arrangement, agreement, contract, or understanding between Spark and Chorus for the purpose of providing either or both with access to, or continued use of, a system, asset, or service that is owned or controlled by Telecom at the close of the day before separation day; and
(b)
includes an arrangement, agreement, contract, or understanding of the kind described in paragraph (a) that is conducted with or through a third party; but
(c)
does not include any of the following, or anything that is wholly in accordance with the following:
(i)
the regulated terms of supply of a designated service or a specified service; or
(ii)
a registered undertaking; or
(iii)
an undertaking under Part 4AA; or
(iv)
a deemed TSO instrument; or
(v)
an undertaking approved in accordance with subpart 4 of this Part (undertakings by Chorus); or
(vi)
an arrangement that is exempted under section 69N; or
(vii)
an arrangement that relates to ensuring compliance by Spark, Chorus, or both with—
(A)
the duties imposed by the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Act 2013 on a network operator (within the meaning of that Act); or
(B)
duties or requirements imposed by any other Act, interception warrant, or other lawful authority that relate to the interception of communications.
Section 69C: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 69C sharing arrangement paragraph (a): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 41(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 69C sharing arrangement paragraph (c)(vii): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 69C sharing arrangement paragraph (c)(vii)(A): amended, on 11 May 2014, by section 123 of the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Act 2013 (2013 No 91).
69D Meaning of arm’s-length
Without limiting the ordinary meaning of the expression, arm’s-length includes having relationships, dealings, and transactions that—
(a)
do not include elements that parties in their respective positions would usually omit; and
(b)
do not omit elements that parties in their respective positions would usually include,—
if the parties were—
(c)
connected or related only by the transaction or dealing in question; and
(d)
acting independently; and
(e)
each acting in its own best interests.
Section 69D: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69E Requirements for sharing arrangements
(1)
Every sharing arrangement must—
(a)
be recorded in writing and be executed by Spark and Chorus; and
(b)
be on arm’s-length terms between Spark and Chorus; and
(c)
be unlikely to harm competition in any telecommunications market; and
(d)
ensure the protection of confidential commercial information or customer confidential information.
(2)
Spark and Chorus must not enter into a sharing arrangement unless the arrangement meets the requirements in subsection (1).
Section 69E: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 69E(1)(a): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 69E(1)(b): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 69E(1)(d): amended, on 5 December 2013, by section 4 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 136).
Section 69E(2): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69F Commission must be notified of proposed and final sharing arrangements
(1)
Spark and Chorus must,—
(a)
not later than 10 working days after separation day, provide a copy of all sharing arrangements executed before separation day to the Commission; and
(b)
if a sharing arrangement is entered into after separation day,—
(i)
not later than 10 working days before the sharing arrangement is executed, notify the Commission of their intention to enter into the sharing arrangement and provide a copy of the proposed arrangement to the Commission; and
(ii)
not later than 10 working days after the final sharing arrangement is executed, provide a copy of the arrangement to the Commission.
(2)
Subsection (1) applies to any material amendment to a sharing arrangement as if that amendment were a sharing arrangement.
(3)
See sections 156L(3) and 156M for the maximum penalty of $1 million (and $50,000 per day) for breach of this section.
Section 69F: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 69F(1): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69G Obligation to collect and retain information for monitoring purposes
Spark and Chorus must each collect and retain information relating to the operation and performance of a sharing arrangement for the purpose of enabling the Commission to monitor compliance with this subpart.
Section 69G: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 69G: amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69H Commission’s monitoring, investigation, and enforcement powers
(1)
The Commission may, by notice in writing, require Spark and Chorus to prepare and disclose information consisting of, or about, the following:
(a)
the terms, execution, or performance of a sharing arrangement:
(b)
any report, agreement, or other information relating to the sharing arrangement that the Commission considers necessary for the purpose of monitoring compliance with this subpart.
(2)
Spark and Chorus must prepare and disclose the information required within the period specified in the notice.
(3)
A notice under this section may require either or both of the following:
(a)
that all or any of the information be audited by a qualified auditor and that the auditor provide a report directly to the Commission on the matters that the Commission specifies as those that must be addressed in that report:
(b)
that all or any of the information be verified by statutory declaration in the form and by the persons required by the Commission.
(4)
To avoid doubt, nothing in this section limits the application of section 98 of the Commerce Act 1986.
(5)
The Commission may, for the purpose of monitoring, investigation, and enforcement under this subpart, consult with any persons that the Commission considers may be affected by a sharing arrangement.
(6)
See sections 156L(3) and 156M for the maximum penalty of $1 million (and $50,000 per day) for breach of this section.
Section 69H: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 69H(1): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 69H(2): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69I Commission may give non-compliance notice
(1)
This section applies if the Commission considers that Spark and Chorus are parties to a sharing arrangement that contravenes section 69E (a non-compliance).
(2)
The Commission may give written notice to each party (a non-compliance notice) setting out—
(a)
the nature of the non-compliance; and
(b)
the 10-day time limit for responses in section 69J; and
(c)
the 40-day time limit for rectification and enforcement (see section 69K).
Section 69I: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 69I(1): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69J Process for responding to non-compliance notice
(1)
Each party may, not later than 10 working days after the date of the non-compliance notice or any further time as the Commission may allow, respond in writing to the notice either—
(a)
by disputing the notice; or
(b)
by setting out the reasons for the non-compliance.
(2)
The Commission must consider each party’s response (if any) before deciding what action to take under subsection (3).
(3)
The Commission must, not later than 10 working days after the final date for the parties to respond to the non-compliance notice under subsection (1),—
(a)
retract the non-compliance notice; or
(b)
give a revised non-compliance notice; or
(c)
confirm the non-compliance notice.
(4)
If the Commission gives a revised non-compliance notice, or confirms the non-compliance notice, the Commission must—
(a)
set out the nature of the non-compliance; and
(b)
require the parties to rectify the non-compliance.
Section 69J: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69K Commission may decide on appropriate enforcement action if non-compliance persists
(1)
This section applies if the Commission considers that a non-compliance has not been rectified within 40 working days after the date of a non-compliance notice given under section 69I.
(2)
The Commission may, at any time, do all or any of the following:
(a)
direct Spark and Chorus to amend the sharing arrangement in order to rectify the non-compliance within 10 working days of the direction (an amendment direction):
(b)
apply for an injunction under section 69M in respect of the non-compliance or a failure to comply with an amendment direction:
(c)
seek a pecuniary penalty under Part 4A in respect of the non-compliance or a failure to comply with an amendment direction.
(3)
The Commission must give written notice of each decision to each party affected by the decision.
Section 69K: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 69K(2)(a): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69L Application of pecuniary penalty provisions
(1)
Sections 156L and 156M apply to a party to a sharing arrangement who, without reasonable excuse, fails to rectify a non-compliance, or fails to comply with an amendment direction, in respect of which the Commission decides to take enforcement action under section 69K(2)(c).
(2)
See sections 156L(3) and 156M for the maximum penalty of $10 million (and $500,000 per day) for breach of this section.
Section 69L: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69M Injunction may be granted by High Court
(1)
If the High Court is satisfied that a non-compliance has not been rectified within 40 working days after the date of a non-compliance notice under section 69I, the court may, on the application of the Commission, grant an injunction restraining Spark and Chorus from further performing the sharing arrangement or engaging in any conduct for the purpose of giving effect to that arrangement.
(2)
If the High Court is satisfied that there has been a failure to comply with a direction of the Commission given under section 69K(2)(a), the court may, on the application of the Commission, grant an injunction requiring Spark and Chorus to comply with the direction of the Commission.
(3)
In any proceeding under this section, the Commission, on the order of the court, may obtain discovery and administer interrogatories.
(4)
The court may at any time rescind or vary an order made under this section.
Section 69M: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 69M(1): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 69M(2): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69N Minister may grant exemption from application of subpart
(1)
The Minister may, by notice, exempt a sharing arrangement or class of sharing arrangements from the application of this subpart, if the Minister is satisfied that—
(a)
any potential harm to competition in telecommunications markets would be likely to be trivial or inconsequential; and
(b)
commercial information or customer confidential information would not be disclosed.
(2)
The Minister must consult the Commission before granting an exemption under this section.
(3)
[Repealed](4)
The Minister may grant the exemption on any terms and conditions that the Minister thinks fit.
(5)
The Minister may, in like manner, vary or revoke such an exemption.
(6)
A notice under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
(7)
Spark and Chorus must ensure that all exemptions granted under this section are available at all reasonable times, free of charge, on the Internet sites maintained by or on behalf of Spark and Chorus.
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must publish it in the Gazette | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 69N: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 69N(1): amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 69N(3): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 69N(6): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 69N(7): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 3—Line of business restrictions
Subpart 3 heading: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69O No participation in supply of retail services
(1)
Chorus, or any related party of Chorus, must not participate in the supply of a telecommunications service to a person (A) if 25% or more of the services supplied, or to be supplied, by Chorus to A in any year are or will be supplied—
(a)
for A’s own use or consumption; or
(b)
for the use or consumption of persons who are related parties of A.
(2)
See sections 156L(3) and 156M for the maximum penalty of $10 million (and $500,000 per day) for breach of this section.
Section 69O: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69P Register of non-retail users
(1)
The Commission must maintain a register of users for the purposes of section 69O.
(2)
If the name of the user appears on the register maintained by the Commission under this section, it is conclusive evidence of the fact that Chorus does not breach section 69O by supplying to that person.
(3)
Chorus or any user of telecommunications services may make a written application to the Commission (in a form required by the Commission, if any) for a name of a user to be entered on the register.
(4)
The Commission must give public notice of the application as soon as practicable after receiving it.
(5)
The Commission must, within 15 working days of public notice of the application, enter the name of the user on the register if the Commission is satisfied that Chorus would not breach section 69O by supplying to that person.
(6)
At separation day, the register must include all of Chorus’s existing unbundled copper local loop customers and unbundled bitstream access customers as at separation day, as notified to the Commission by Chorus before separation day.
(7)
The Commission must, at all reasonable times, make the register available for inspection on the Commission’s Internet site in an electronic form that is publicly accessible.
Section 69P: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 69P(5): amended, on 5 December 2013, by section 5 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 136).
69Q Variations to, and removals from, register
(1)
The Commission may, at any time,—
(a)
review and correct the register maintained under section 69P; and
(b)
remove the names of users from the register if—
(i)
the Commission ceases to be satisfied of the matters in section 69P(5); or
(ii)
the Commission is satisfied that the user is insolvent or has ceased business.
(2)
However, the Commission must give Chorus and the user—
(a)
notice of its intention to remove the user from the register, and a reasonable opportunity to comment before removing a name from the register; and
(b)
notice that the name has been removed, as soon as practicable after removal.
(3)
Chorus is not in breach of section 69O to the extent that it continues to supply a service to a user within the 6-month period following the removal of the user’s name from the register.
Section 69Q: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69R No services above layer 2
(1)
(2)
In this section, unless the context otherwise requires, layer 2 services has the same meaning as in the document “New Zealand Government Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative Invitation to Participate in Partner Selection Process”
dated October 2009 (as amended).
Section 69R: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69S No end-to-end services
(1)
Chorus, or any related party of Chorus, must not provide telecommunications links to customers except—
(a)
between an end-user’s building (or, in the case of a commercial building, the 2 building distribution frames) and a Chorus local or regional aggregation point; and
(b)
between 2 Chorus local or regional aggregation points.
(2)
To avoid doubt,—
(a)
telecommunications links provided by Chorus, or a related party of Chorus, to customers must terminate at a local or regional aggregation point; and
(b)
Chorus, or a related party of Chorus, must not sell a service to customers that links 2 or more end-user sites together (but a customer of Chorus can create the linking between 2 or more end-user sites).
(3)
However, this section does not prevent the resale of PSTN-based services for the purposes of acting as a channel to market for Telecom.
(4)
See sections 156L(3) and 156M for the maximum penalty of $10 million (and $500,000 per day) for breach of this section.
Section 69S: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69SA Exemptions from sections 69R and 69S
(1)
The Commission may, on the terms and conditions (if any) that it thinks fit, grant an exemption from compliance with—
(a)
any prohibition referred to in section 69R that is included in an undertaking referred to in that section; or
(b)
any provision or provisions of section 69S.
(2)
An exemption may be granted in whole or in part (for example, there could be a complete exemption from a prohibition or provision or an exemption that applies only to 1 or more particular services).
(3)
The Commission must not grant an exemption unless—
(a)
it is satisfied that the exemption is consistent with the purpose set out in section 69A; and
(b)
it has had regard to whether the exemption will harm, or is likely to harm, competition in any telecommunications market; and
(c)
it has consulted the persons or organisations that appear to the Commission to be representative of the interests of those persons likely to be substantially affected by the exemption.
(4)
This section applies on and after the implementation date.
(5)
Section 69SB applies to exemptions granted under this section.
Section 69SA: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 27 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69SB Other provisions relating to exemptions
(1)
An exemption under section 69SA is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
(2)
When an exemption is published, the Commission must publish its reasons for granting the exemption, including why it is appropriate, on the Commission’s Internet site.
(3)
[Repealed](4)
The breach of a term or condition of an exemption is,—
(a)
in the case of an exemption under section 69SA(1)(a), a breach of the undertaking required under section 69R:
(b)
in the case of an exemption under section 69SA(1)(b), a breach of section 69S.
(5)
The Commission may vary or revoke an exemption in the same way as it may grant the exemption (with the provisions of section 69SA and this section applying with all necessary modifications).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation referred to in subsection (1) | ||||
| Publication | The maker must: | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| • give public notice in accordance with section 6 | ||||
| • comply with subsection (3) | ||||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 69SB: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 27 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 69SB(1): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 69SB(2): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 69SB(3): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
69T Enforcement of breaches of sections 69O and 69S
Sections 69V (injunctions) and 156B (enforcement actions) apply to Chorus, and any related party of Chorus, that, without reasonable excuse, participates in the supply of a telecommunications service in breach of sections 69O and 69S.
Section 69T: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69U Application of line of business restrictions to related parties of Chorus
(1)
The test for related parties in this Part is that a person is related to another person if—
(a)
they are acting jointly or in concert; or
(b)
either person acts, or is accustomed to act, in accordance with the wishes of the other person; or
(c)
they are related companies within the meaning of section 2(3) of the Companies Act 1993; or
(d)
either person is able, directly or indirectly, to exert a substantial degree of influence over the activities of the other; or
(e)
they are both, directly or indirectly, under the control of the same person.
(2)
However, for the purposes of subsection (1),—
(a)
a director of a company or other body corporate is not related to that company or body corporate merely because he or she is a director of that company or body corporate; and
(b)
a person is not able to exert a substantial degree of influence over another person merely because—
(i)
those persons are in competition in the same market; or
(ii)
one of them supplies goods or services to the other.
(3)
Any sharing of assets, services, and systems between Chorus and Spark must be disregarded for the purposes of applying subsection (1) to the extent that it is provided for in a sharing arrangement of which a copy has been provided to the Commission under section 69F(1)(a) or (b)(ii).
(4)
Without limiting section 69O, Chorus is deemed to participate in the supply of a telecommunications service if a related party of Chorus participates in the supply of the telecommunications service.
(5)
The order of responsibility for remedying breaches is, to the extent practical, that the breach must be remedied first by the party whose activity resulted in the breach.
Compare: 1993 No 106, s 4A(2), 1998 No 88 s 21
Section 69U: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 69U(3): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69V Injunctions may be granted by High Court for certain contraventions
(1)
The High Court may, on the application of the Commission, grant an injunction restraining a person from engaging in a breach of sections 69O or 69S.
(2)
The High Court may, at any time, rescind or vary an injunction granted under this section.
Section 69V: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Subpart 4—Undertakings by Chorus
Subpart 4 heading: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69W Purposes of subpart
The purposes of this subpart are to—
(a)
promote competition in telecommunications markets for the long-term benefit of end-users of telecommunications services in New Zealand; and
(b)
require transparency, non-discrimination, and equivalence of supply in relation to certain telecommunications services; and
(c)
facilitate efficient investment in telecommunications infrastructure and services.
Section 69W: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69X Overview
(1)
This subpart imposes obligations on Chorus to give undertakings—
(a)
to supply wholesale services using its copper access network (called relevant services in this subpart) on a non-discrimination basis; and
(b)
to supply a subset of those services, which Chorus consumes and which it supplies to its competitors, (called relevant regulated services in this subpart) on an equivalence basis.
(2)
This section is intended only as a guide to the general scheme and effect of this subpart.
Section 69X: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XA Interpretation
In this subpart, unless the context otherwise requires,—
equivalence, in relation to the supply of a relevant regulated service, means equivalence of supply of the service and access to Chorus’s network so that third-party access seekers are treated in the same way to Chorus’s own business operations, including in relation to pricing, procedures, operational support, and supply of information and other relevant matters
legacy access network means the network comprising—
(a)
Chorus’s local loop network, as defined in clause 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 (including any relevant line in Chorus’s local telephone exchange or distribution cabinet); and
(b)
Chorus’s local telephone exchange, as defined in clause 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1, and Chorus’s distribution cabinet (or equivalent facility); and
(c)
Chorus’s backhaul network (whether copper, fibre, or anything else) between the local loop network handover point in Chorus’s distribution cabinet (or equivalent facility) or Chorus’s local telephone exchange and the first data switch (including the first data switch); and
(d)
Chorus’s digital subscriber line access multiplexer (or equivalent facility)
non-discrimination, in relation to the supply of a relevant service, means that Chorus must not treat access seekers differently or, where Chorus supplies itself with a relevant service, must not treat itself differently from other access seekers, except to the extent that a particular difference in treatment is objectively justifiable and does not harm, and is unlikely to harm, competition in any telecommunications market
relevant regulated services means the following designated access services except if those services are services in relation to which the end-user’s building (or, where relevant, the building’s distribution frame) is located in a specified fibre area:
(a)
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network service:
(b)
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network co-location service:
(c)
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (distribution cabinet to telephone exchange):
(d)
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (telephone exchange to interconnect point)
relevant services—
(a)
means—
(i)
wholesale telecommunications services that are provided using, or that provide access to the unbundled elements of, the legacy access network; and
(ii)
the designated access service described in subpart 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 as Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access backhaul; but
(b)
does not include—
(i)
any services that are agreed by the Commission in writing to be legacy input services, being inputs to services that are no longer offered to end-users other than customers who were end-users before separation day; or
(ii)
any services in relation to which the end-user’s building (or, where relevant, the building’s distribution frame) is located in a specified fibre area
UBA service means the designated access service described in subpart 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 as unbundled bitstream access service.
Section 69XA: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 69XA local access and calling service: repealed, on 30 March 2025, by section 175 of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 11).
Section 69XA relevant regulated services: amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 9(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 69XA relevant services paragraph (b): replaced, on 13 November 2018, by section 9(2) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69XB Requirements for undertakings by Chorus relating to supply of certain wholesale telecommunications services
Chorus must give undertakings that—
(a)
require Chorus to achieve non-discrimination in relation to the supply of relevant services; and
(b)
set out rules and principles that Chorus will apply to ensure that non-discrimination is achieved in relation to the supply of relevant services; and
(c)
require Chorus to achieve equivalence of supply in relation to relevant regulated services; and
(d)
require Chorus to develop, in consultation with the Commission and key industry stakeholders, key performance indicators for systems and processes for relevant regulated services by which it may be judged whether Chorus is achieving equivalence of supply in relation to those services; and
(e)
require Chorus to develop, in consultation with the Commission and key industry stakeholders, key performance indicators by which it may be judged whether Chorus is achieving non-discrimination in relation to the supply of the UBA service; and
(f)
require Chorus to—
(i)
conduct quarterly reviews of performance as measured against the key performance indicators referred to in paragraphs (d) and (e); and
(ii)
make all information relating to those reviews available to the Commission to support the Commission’s assessment of compliance with the undertakings; and
(iii)
publish quarterly reports on its performance as measured against the key performance indicators referred to in paragraphs (d) and (e); and
(iv)
internally audit the controls and processes behind the key performance indicator reporting; and
(g)
require Chorus to carry out quarterly customer surveys of its performance in relation to relevant regulated services; and
(h)
require Chorus to—
(i)
implement a policy of control of commercial information provided by access seekers for relevant services and relevant regulated services, in consultation with the Commission; and
(ii)
internally audit the effectiveness of that policy, at the end of each of the first two 6-month periods following separation day and then annually after that; and
(i)
[Repealed](j)
require the directors of Chorus to certify that Chorus has complied with the undertakings; and
(k)
provide for disclosure of relevant information to the Commission, to support the Commission’s assessment of compliance with the undertakings; and
(l)
require Chorus to commit to a reasonable plan containing time frames for a transition to the end of the sharing arrangements referred to in subpart 2.
Section 69XB: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 69XB(i): repealed, on 30 March 2025, by section 176 of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 11).
69XC Implementation of Chorus undertakings
(1)
On and from separation day, the undertakings approved by the Minister on or before separation day under sections 42 to 44 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 take effect as if they were a deed that is—
(a)
properly executed by, and binding on, Chorus; and
(b)
given in favour of the Crown.
(2)
The undertakings approved by the Minister after separation day under sections 42 to 44 of that Act take effect in accordance with subsection (1), but with effect from the date of approval.
Section 69XC: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XD Chorus must publish Chorus undertakings
(1)
As soon as practicable after the date on which an undertaking takes effect under section 69XC, Chorus must publish the undertaking.
(2)
Section 156AK applies with necessary modifications.
Section 69XD: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XE Variation of Chorus undertakings
Sections 156AL to 156AN apply with necessary modifications to undertakings under this subpart.
Section 69XE: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XF Termination of Chorus undertakings
Section 156AO applies with necessary modifications to undertakings under this subpart.
Section 69XF: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XG Enforcement of Chorus undertakings
(1)
Sections 156AQ to 156AS apply with necessary modifications to undertakings under this subpart.
(2)
See sections 156L(3) and 156M for the maximum penalty of $10 million (and $500,000 per day) for failure to comply with undertakings).
Section 69XG: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Subpart 5—Miscellaneous
Subpart 5 heading: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Public Works Act 1981
Heading: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XH Application of Public Works Act 1981
(1)
Despite section 4(4) of the Finance Act 1990 and section 24(4) of the State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986, nothing in sections 40 to 42 of the Public Works Act 1981 applies to the transfer of affected land from Telecom to Chorus.
(2)
However, after that transfer, sections 40 and 41 of the Public Works Act 1981 apply to that land as if Chorus were the Crown and the transfer of the land from the Crown to Telecom and from Telecom to Chorus had not taken place.
(3)
If, in relation to affected land that has been transferred by Telecom to Chorus, an offer made by Chorus under section 40(2) of the Public Works Act 1981 is not accepted within the time specified in subsection (4) and the parties have not agreed on other terms for the sale of the land, Chorus may sell or otherwise dispose of the land to any person and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
(4)
The time referred to in subsection (3) is the later of the following:
(a)
40 working days after the offer is made or such further period as Chorus considers reasonable:
(b)
if an application has been made to the Land Valuation Tribunal pursuant to section 40(2A) of the Public Works Act 1981, 20 working days after the determination of the Tribunal.
(5)
In this section,—
affected land means any land that, immediately before it was transferred by the Crown to Telecom pursuant to section 4(4) of the Finance Act 1990, was held by the Crown under the Public Works Act 1981 for a public work
land has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Public Works Act 1981
working day has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Public Works Act 1981.
Section 69XH: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Resource Management Act 1991 issues
Heading: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Heading: amended, on 23 December 2023, by section 6 of the Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023 (2023 No 68).
69XI Requiring authority status under Resource Management Act 1991
(1)
Chorus is approved as a requiring authority, as a network utility operator, under the Resource Management Act 1991 for the following purposes:
(a)
constructing or operating, or proposing to construct or operate, a network for the purpose of telecommunication as defined in section 5 of this Act; and
(b)
constructing or operating, or proposing to construct or operate, a network for the purpose of radiocommunications as defined in section 2(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1989.
(2)
Part 8 of the Resource Management Act 1991 applies with necessary modifications as if the approval had been given under section 167 of that Act.
Section 69XI: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 69XI heading: amended, on 23 December 2023, by section 6 of the Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023 (2023 No 68).
Section 69XI(1): amended, on 23 December 2023, by section 6 of the Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023 (2023 No 68).
Section 69XI(2): replaced, on 23 December 2023, by section 6 of the Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023 (2023 No 68).
69XJ Designations under Resource Management Act 1991
(1)
The Minister may, before separation day, by notice in the Gazette, issue 2 lists comprising all or any of the designations (within the meaning of section 166 of the Resource Management Act 1991) for which Telecom is responsible, as follows:
(a)
designations that are to be transferred to Chorus:
(b)
designations that are to be additionally granted back to Telecom.
(2)
On separation day,—
(a)
all the rights and responsibilities of Telecom in relation to the designations listed in a Gazette notice under subsection (1)(a), as they existed immediately before separation day, are transferred to Chorus for the purposes of section 180 of the Resource Management Act 1991; and
(b)
the designations listed in a Gazette notice under subsection (1)(b), as they existed immediately before separation day, are (in addition to being transferred to Chorus) granted back to Telecom, with the effect that, subject to subsection (3), Telecom continues to have the same rights and responsibilities as Chorus in relation to the designations.
(3)
For the purposes of section 177 of the Resource Management Act 1991,—
(a)
the designations transferred to Chorus under subsection (2)(a) are treated as earlier designations; and
(b)
the additional designations granted to Telecom under subsection (2)(b) are treated as later designations.
(4)
Part 8 of the Resource Management Act 1991 applies with necessary modifications as if the designations had been transferred or made under that Part.
Section 69XJ: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 69XJ heading: amended, on 23 December 2023, by section 6 of the Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023 (2023 No 68).
Section 69XJ(1): amended, on 23 December 2023, by section 6 of the Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023 (2023 No 68).
Section 69XJ(2)(a): amended, on 23 December 2023, by section 6 of the Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023 (2023 No 68).
Section 69XJ(3): amended, on 23 December 2023, by section 6 of the Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023 (2023 No 68).
Section 69XJ(4): replaced, on 23 December 2023, by section 6 of the Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023 (2023 No 68).
Section 69XJ(4): editorial change made by the PCO, on 29 October 2024, under sections 86(1) and 87(l)(i) of the Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 58).
Restrictive covenants
Heading: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XK Certain restrictive covenants
(1)
This section applies to any restrictive covenant that is registered in favour of land—
(a)
of which Telecom was a registered proprietor immediately before separation day; and
(b)
that is transferred from Telecom to Chorus on separation day.
(2)
Despite the transfer of land to Chorus, Spark is entitled to enforce the covenant against the persons bound by the covenant as if Spark were an owner or occupier of the land.
(3)
This section does not limit the rights to enforce the covenant of Chorus, Chorus’s successors in title, and persons claiming through Chorus or Chorus’s successors in title.
(4)
The Registrar-General may enter in the register relating to the burdened land, the benefited land, or both, a notification of the effect of this section as if it were an instrument.
Section 69XK: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 69XK(2): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Government Superannuation Fund Act 1956
Heading: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XL Protection of existing members of Government Superannuation Fund
(1)
The Government Superannuation Fund Act 1956 continues to apply to the persons referred to in subsection (2) in all respects as if service with Chorus were Government service.
(2)
The persons are every person who, immediately before separation day,—
(a)
is employed by Telecom; and
(b)
is deemed to be employed in the Government service under section 2A of the Government Superannuation Fund Act 1956; and
(3)
For the purpose of applying the Government Superannuation Fund Act 1956, the chief executive of Chorus is the controlling authority.
Section 69XL: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Subpart 6—Taxation consequences of structural separation
Subpart 6 heading: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XM Interpretation in this subpart
In this subpart, unless the context requires otherwise,—
appointed day means,—
(a)
for a purpose specified in a proposal approved by Order in Council made under section 46 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011, a day specified in that proposal for that purpose:
(b)
if there is no relevant day under paragraph (a), the day on which the vesting of the designated assets and liabilities, and the demerger distribution, take effect
Chorus company means a member of the group of companies comprising ChorusCo and the companies that are, or will be, its subsidiaries immediately following the demerger distribution and the vesting of the designated assets and liabilities
demerger distribution means a distribution, or an entitlement to a distribution, to each holder of ordinary shares in Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited, where the distribution or entitlement—
(a)
arises under the demerger arrangement; and
(b)
comprises—
(i)
an amount determined by reference to the value of a holder’s entitlement to ordinary shares in ChorusCo:
(ii)
ordinary shares in ChorusCo to which the holder is entitled, or proceeds from the disposal of that holder’s entitlement to ordinary shares in ChorusCo
designated assets and liabilities means assets and liabilities, or parts of assets and liabilities, as the case may be, specified in an Order in Council made under section 46 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011, and designated assets and designated liabilities have corresponding meanings
income year has the same meaning as in the Income Tax Act 2007
Inland Revenue Acts has the same meaning as in the Tax Administration Act 1994
Telecom company means a member of the group of companies comprising Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited and the companies that are, or will be, its subsidiaries immediately following the demerger distribution and the vesting of the designated assets and liabilities
vest means the transfer of the designated assets and liabilities from a Telecom company to a Chorus company on the appointed day
vesting year means the income year that includes the appointed day for the vesting of the designated assets and liabilities.
Section 69XM: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XN Purpose
The purpose of this subpart is to ensure that—
(a)
the vesting of the designated assets and liabilities in Chorus does not give rise to tax consequences under the Inland Revenue Acts for Telecom or Chorus that would not have arisen if they were the same person:
(b)
no tax consequences arise under the Inland Revenue Acts on the appointed day for any shareholder of Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited or Chorus from the demerger distribution that would not have arisen if the vesting of the designated assets and liabilities and the demerger distribution had not occurred.
Section 69XN: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XO Depreciation
(1)
For the purposes of the Income Tax Act 2007, for a designated asset (the asset) that is depreciable property,—
(a)
the relevant Telecom company has a deduction for an amount of depreciation loss for the period beginning on the first day of the vesting year and ending on the day before the appointed day:
(b)
the relevant Telecom company does not derive depreciation recovery income and does not have a deduction for an amount of depreciation loss under sections EE 44 to EE 52 of the Income Tax Act 2007 as a result of the vesting of the asset:
(c)
the relevant Chorus company must calculate, on and after the appointed day, depreciation recovery income and deductions for amounts of depreciation loss as if, in respect of the period up to and including the appointed day, it and the Telecom company were the same person.
(2)
In this section, depreciable property, depreciation loss, and depreciation recovery income have the same meanings as in the Income Tax Act 2007.
Section 69XO: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XP Tax effect of distribution of ChorusCo shares
(1)
For the purposes of the Income Tax Act 2007, the following transactions do not give rise to, and are ignored for the purposes of calculating, the available subscribed capital of a Chorus company or a Telecom company:
(a)
the vesting of the designated assets and liabilities:
(b)
the demerger distribution:
(c)
a transaction necessary for carrying into effect the vesting of the designated assets and liabilities, or the demerger distribution, if, for that transaction, there is no party other than Chorus companies and Telecom companies.
(2)
The demerger distribution on the appointed day—
(a)
is not a dividend or other kind of assessable income for the purposes of the Income Tax Act 2007:
(b)
is not a dutiable gift for the purposes of the Estate and Gift Duties Act 1968:
(c)
is, for any relevant Telecom company, a disposition for the cost price of the share, for the purposes of the Income Tax Act 2007.
(3)
For the purposes of the Income Tax Act 2007, a person who receives a demerger distribution by virtue of holding a Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited share or shares is treated as—
(a)
acquiring the relevant ChorusCo share or shares at the same time and for the same purposes as the Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited share or shares that give rise to that person’s entitlement to the demerger distribution:
(b)
having paid the amount given by subsection (4) for the acquisition of the ChorusCo share or shares:
(c)
having paid the amount given by subsection (5) for the acquisition of the Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited share or shares.
(4)
For the purposes of subsection (3)(b), the amount paid for the acquisition is calculated using the following formula:
| pre-calculation amount paid | × Chorus mv | ||
| combined mv |
(5)
For the purposes of subsection (3)(c), the amount paid for the acquisition is calculated using the following formula:
| pre-calculation amount paid | × Telecom mv | ||
| combined mv |
(6)
In the formulas in subsections (4) and (5),—
(a)
pre-calculation amount paid is the person’s expenditure or loss incurred in acquiring the relevant Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited share or shares, ignoring this section:
(b)
Chorus mv is the market capitalisation of ChorusCo calculated in the manner prescribed in a proposal approved by Order in Council under section 46 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011, or, if none is prescribed, the number of ChorusCo shares on issue immediately following the demerger distribution multiplied by the volume weighted average price of ChorusCo shares as traded on the NZSX over the first 5 trading days commencing on the date of listing of ChorusCo:
(c)
Telecom mv is the market capitalisation of Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited calculated in the manner prescribed in a proposal approved by Order in Council under section 46 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011, or, if none is prescribed, the number of Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited shares on issue immediately following the demerger distribution multiplied by the volume weighted average price of Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited shares as traded on the NZSX over the first 5 trading days commencing on the date of listing of ChorusCo:
(d)
combined mv is the total market capitalisation of ChorusCo and of Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited calculated in the manner prescribed in a proposal approved by Order in Council under section 46 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011, or, if none is prescribed, the total of the market capitalisation of ChorusCo and of Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited determined in accordance with paragraphs (b) and (c).
(7)
Subsection (8) applies where—
(a)
an arrangement entered into on or before the appointed day would, but for the demerger distribution, be a returning share transfer or share-lending arrangement in respect of which the original share is a Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited share; and
(b)
if, under the relevant arrangement in respect of the Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited share, the share user is required to transfer a Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited share or shares and a ChorusCo share or shares to the share supplier.
(8)
If subsection (7) applies,—
(a)
the relevant ChorusCo share or shares are treated as part of the relevant Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited share or shares for the purposes of the definitions of identical share, original share, returning share transfer, and share-lending arrangement in the Income Tax Act 2007:
(b)
subsection (3) applies to the share supplier as if the share supplier were the person referred to in that subsection.
(9)
In this section, available subscribed capital, dividend, identical share, original share, returning share transfer, share-lending arrangement, share supplier, and share user have the same meanings as in the Income Tax Act 2007.
Section 69XP: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XQ Goods and Services Tax Act 1985
(1)
The vesting of the designated assets and liabilities is treated as being a taxable supply on the appointed day that is charged with tax at the rate of 0% for the purposes of the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985.
(2)
For the purpose of calculating, under the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985, the amount of tax payable, or input tax deductible, on or after the appointed day by a Chorus company in respect of, or in relation to, a designated asset or a designated liability, the Chorus company and the relevant Telecom company are treated as if they were the same person in respect of the period up to and including the appointed day, subject to subsection (1).
(3)
If it is necessary for a tax invoice, a credit note, or a debit note (the document) to be issued by or to a Telecom company in respect of a supply made by or to a Telecom company before the appointed day, the document may be issued by or to a Chorus company if the supply was in respect of or in relation to designated assets and liabilities. The Chorus company and the Telecom company are treated as if, in relation to that supply, they were the same person for the purposes of any requirement in the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 that the Telecom company holds, has previously been issued with, or has issued to a person, a tax invoice, a debit note, or a credit note for the supply.
(4)
In this section, credit note, debit note, input tax, supply, tax, and tax invoice have the same meanings as in the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985.
Section 69XQ: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XR Prepayments
(1)
For the purposes of the Income Tax Act 2007,—
(a)
for the vesting year, the relevant Telecom company is treated as having an unexpired amount of expenditure under section EA 3 of that Act (the unexpired portion) for expenditure connected with the designated assets and liabilities, calculated by applying section EA 3(4) to (7) of that Act as if the day before the appointed day were the end of an income year:
(b)
the relevant Telecom company has, for the vesting year, income under section CH 2 of that Act for the unexpired portion described in paragraph (a):
(c)
for an income year starting after the appointed day, the relevant Telecom company is not allowed a deduction for the unexpired portion under section DB 50 of that Act, and no part of the unexpired portion is income under section CH 2 of that Act:
(d)
the relevant Chorus company has, for the vesting year, a deduction for the unexpired portion described in paragraph (a) under section DB 50 of that Act:
(e)
for the vesting year and any subsequent income year, section EA 3 of that Act applies to the relevant Chorus company as if that member had been allowed a deduction under that Act for expenditure to which paragraph (a) applies.
(2)
In this section, expenditure means expenditure that the relevant Telecom company has been allowed a deduction for under the Income Tax Act 2007 or an earlier Act, and that was not incurred on the items described in section EA 3(2) of that Act.
Section 69XR: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XS Expenditure or loss incurred, and amounts derived
A Chorus company and the relevant Telecom company are treated as the same person for the period prior to and including the appointed day for the purpose of determining the following, under the Income Tax Act 2007:
(a)
whether a deduction is allowed for an amount of expenditure or loss incurred by the Chorus company in connection with the designated assets or liabilities:
(b)
the amount of any deduction of the Chorus company in connection with the designated assets or liabilities:
(c)
whether an amount derived by the Chorus company in connection with the designated assets or liabilities is income:
(d)
the amount of any income of the Chorus company in connection with the designated assets or liabilities.
Section 69XS: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XT Bad debts
Sections CG 3 and DB 31 of the Income Tax Act 2007 apply to a relevant Chorus company in respect of any obligation that is owed to the relevant Telecom company immediately before the appointed day and that vests in the Chorus company, as if the Telecom company and the Chorus company were the same person in respect of the period up to and including the appointed day.
Section 69XT: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XU Unpaid employment expenditure
Sections DC 11(2) and (3) and EA 4(6) of the Income Tax Act 2007 apply to any amount of employment income (as that term is defined in the Income Tax Act 2007) that a Chorus company assumes the obligation to pay in connection with the vesting. For the purposes of those sections, the Chorus company is treated as person B, and the relevant Telecom company that incurred the obligation to pay is treated as person A.
Section 69XU: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XV Vesting of designated assets and liabilities
The vesting of the designated assets and liabilities in a Chorus company—
(a)
does not give rise to a dutiable gift for the purposes of the Estate and Gift Duties Act 1968:
(b)
does not give rise to a dividend, or, except as provided in this subpart, other assessable income, for the purposes of the Income Tax Act 2007:
(c)
does not, except as provided in this subpart, give rise to a deduction for the purposes of the Income Tax Act 2007.
Section 69XV: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XW Revenue account property
(1)
For the purposes of the Income Tax Act 2007, for a designated asset or liability that is revenue account property (the property), the property is treated as being disposed of by the relevant Telecom company and acquired by the relevant Chorus company for an amount equal to the property’s tax book value.
(2)
In this section, tax book value means,—
(a)
for the property, if it is trading stock or an excepted financial arrangement acquired by the relevant Telecom company before the vesting year, the opening value of the property under section DB 49 of the Income Tax Act 2007 for that Telecom company for the vesting year:
(b)
for the property, if paragraph (a) does not apply, the amount of expenditure or loss for which the relevant Telecom company is allowed a deduction in the vesting year as a result of the disposal.
(3)
In this section, excepted financial arrangement, revenue account property, and trading stock have the same meaning as in the Income Tax Act 2007.
Section 69XW: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XX Leased assets
For the purposes of the Income Tax Act 2007, for expenditure that a Telecom company incurs as a lessee under a lease that relates to a designated asset and to which section EJ 10 of the Income Tax Act 2007 applies,—
(a)
the Telecom company must calculate an amount to be allocated to the vesting year under section EJ 10(3) and (4) of that Act as if the day before the appointed day were the end of the vesting year:
(b)
the relevant Chorus company must calculate an amount to be allocated to the vesting year under section EJ 10(3) and (4) of that Act as if the appointed day were the start of the vesting year:
(c)
section EJ 10 of that Act applies to the Chorus company for income years after the vesting year as if, in respect of the period up to and including the appointed day, the Telecom company and the Chorus company were the same person.
Section 69XX: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XY Finance leases: financial arrangements rules
(1)
For the purposes of the financial arrangements rules as defined in section EW 1(2) of the Income Tax Act 2007, for a finance lease that a Telecom company is party to immediately before the appointed day and vests in a Chorus company on the appointed day,—
(a)
if the finance lease is an asset of the Telecom company, the Chorus company is treated as paying to the Telecom company an amount of consideration for the finance lease that is equal to the tax book value of the finance lease on the relevant day:
(b)
if the finance lease is a liability of the Telecom company, the Telecom company is treated as paying to the Chorus company an amount of consideration for the finance lease that is equal to the tax book value of the finance lease on the relevant day:
(c)
the Telecom company must calculate, on the relevant day, a base price adjustment under section EW 31 of the Income Tax Act 2007:
(d)
if the Chorus company calculates, on or after the relevant day, a base price adjustment under section EW 31 of that Act, that base price adjustment must be calculated as if, in respect of the period up to and including the relevant day, it and the Telecom company were the same person:
(e)
sections EW 38, EW 42, and GB 21 of that Act do not apply for the vesting.
(2)
In this section,—
(a)
finance lease has the same meaning as in the Income Tax Act 2007:
(b)
tax book value means, for the relevant day and a finance lease, the value for tax purposes of the finance lease on the relevant day determined consistently with the method used in subpart EW of the Income Tax Act 2007 to calculate and allocate income and expenditure under the finance lease as if the day immediately preceding the relevant day were the last day of an income year.
Section 69XY: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69XZ Approved issuer levy and administrative status
(1)
For the purposes of the Income Tax Act 2007 and the Stamp and Cheque Duties Act 1971, a transaction or class of transactions registered as a registered security or as registered securities by a Telecom company on or prior to the appointed day is treated as also being registered as a registered security or as registered securities, as the case may be, by the relevant Chorus company. The relevant Chorus company is treated as an approved issuer in respect of the registered security or registered securities, as the case may be.
(2)
The relevant Telecom company and the relevant Chorus company are treated as the same person, for the period prior to and including the appointed day, for the purposes of the making, giving, or receiving of any election, notice, certificate, and filing provided for under the Inland Revenue Acts.
(3)
A Telecom company and the relevant Chorus company are treated as the same person for the purposes of receiving the benefit of—
(a)
a provisional rate, as defined in section EE 67 of the Income Tax Act 2007:
(b)
a special rate, as defined in section EE 67 of that Act.
(4)
In this section, registered security has the same meaning as in the Income Tax Act 2007.
Section 69XZ: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 51 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Part 2B Information disclosure requirements
[Repealed]Part 2B: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69Y Purpose
[Repealed]Section 69Y: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69Z Parameters of Part
[Repealed]Section 69Z: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69ZA Interpretation
[Repealed]Section 69ZA: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69ZB Accounting separation of Telecom
[Repealed]Section 69ZB: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 47 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
69ZC Information disclosure by all access providers
[Repealed]Section 69ZC: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69ZD Miscellaneous provisions relating to Commission’s information disclosure requirements
[Repealed]Section 69ZD: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69ZE Publication of Commission’s information disclosure requirements
[Repealed]Section 69ZE: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69ZF Information to be supplied to Commission
[Repealed]Section 69ZF: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69ZG Commission to publish summaries
[Repealed]Section 69ZG: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
69ZH Reasonable charge may be imposed for providing copies of statements
[Repealed]Section 69ZH: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Part 3 Telecommunications service obligations
Subpart 1—TSO instruments
70 Declaration of TSO instruments
(1)
The purpose of this section is to facilitate the supply of certain telecommunications services to groups of end-users within New Zealand to whom those telecommunications services may not otherwise be supplied on a commercial basis or at a price that is considered by the Minister to be affordable to those groups of end-users.
(2)
Subject to subsection (3), the Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, declare an instrument that is identified in the Order in Council and that meets the requirements set out in subsection (4) to be a TSO instrument.
(3)
The Minister must not make a recommendation under subsection (2) unless—
(a)
the service provider to whom the instrument applies agrees to the instrument being declared a TSO instrument; and
(b)
the Minister has first—
(i)
consulted liable persons and any persons and organisations that the Minister considers appropriate having regard to the subject matter of the proposed TSO instrument; and
(ii)
assessed whether or not contestability could reasonably be achieved in relation to each of the obligations to which the instrument applies.
(4)
An instrument that is to be declared a TSO instrument must—
(a)
record a contract or arrangement or an understanding between the Crown and a service provider for the supply of a particular telecommunications service or range of telecommunications services; and
(b)
identify the group of end-users to whom the service must be supplied; and
(c)
define the geographical area within which the service must be supplied; and
(d)
specify the retail price at, or below which, the service must be supplied; and
(e)
specify the criteria that must be met for the standard of the service to be supplied.
(5)
An order under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
(5)
[Repealed]| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 70(5): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 70(5): repealed, on 22 December 2006, by section 33 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
71 Deemed TSO instrument
(1)
Despite anything to the contrary in section 70, any other enactment, or rule of law, an instrument of the kind referred to in subsection (2) is deemed to be a TSO instrument (deemed TSO instrument) for the purposes of this Part (as if that instrument had been declared to be a TSO instrument under section 70).
(2)
Subsection (1) applies to any other instrument that—
(a)
includes or records provisions that state that the parties intend the instrument to be a deemed TSO instrument under this Act; and
(b)
is conditional on, or entered into as a consequence of, the structural separation of Telecom.
Section 71(2): substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 8 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
71A TSO instrument may specify total amount payable by the Crown
(1)
A TSO instrument may specify the total amount payable by the Crown under the instrument for each financial year (the specified amount).
(2)
The total amount may be specified as—
(a)
a fixed monetary amount; or
(b)
a capped monetary amount; or
(c)
an indexed monetary amount; or
(d)
a formula for the calculation of a monetary amount; or
(e)
any combination of paragraphs (a) to (d).
Section 71A: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 9 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
72 New KSO does not alter or revoke constitution of Telecom
[Repealed]Section 72: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 10 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
73 When KSO part of original KSO ceases to have effect
[Repealed]Section 73: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 10 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
74 Compliance with TSO instrument
(1)
A TSO provider must comply with the terms of a TSO instrument.
(2)
The statutory duty in subsection (1) does not limit or affect any right, duty, liability, or remedy in respect of a TSO instrument that exists or is available apart from this Act.
Section 74: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 11 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
75 Variation of TSO instrument
A variation of—
(a)
an instrument that is declared to be a TSO instrument under section 70 must be treated as part of the TSO instrument as long as the TSO instrument continues to meet the requirements set out in section 70(4):
(b)
a deemed TSO instrument must be treated as part of the deemed TSO instrument.
Section 75 heading: amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 12(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 75(a): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 12(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
76 When instrument ceases to be TSO instrument
(1)
An instrument ceases to be a TSO instrument,—
(a)
in the case of an instrument that is declared to be a TSO instrument under section 70, if the Governor-General, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, revokes the declaration of that TSO instrument; or
(b)
in the case of a deemed TSO instrument, on a date appointed by the Governor-General by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister; or
(c)
if the instrument is terminated in accordance with its terms.
(2)
The Minister must not make a recommendation under subsection (1)(a) or (b) unless,—
(a)
in the case of an instrument that is declared to be a TSO instrument under section 70, the service provider to whom that instrument applies agrees to the revocation of the declaration; or
(b)
in the case of a deemed TSO instrument, the service provider to whom that instrument applies agrees to that instrument ceasing to have effect as a deemed TSO instrument.
(3)
An order under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements)
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 76: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 76(3): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
77 Notification of TSO instrument
(1)
The Minister must notify the Commission of—
(a)
every instrument that is declared to be a TSO instrument under section 70; and
(b)
every deemed TSO instrument.
(2)
The Commission must give public notice of every TSO instrument.
Section 77: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 14 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
78 Application of Commerce Act 1986
Part 2 of the Commerce Act 1986 does not apply in respect of a TSO instrument or a contract, arrangement, or understanding to which the TSO instrument relates or any matter necessary for giving effect to the TSO instrument or the contract, arrangement, or understanding.
79 When 2 or more bodies corporate must be treated as 1 person
(1)
For the purposes of this Part, any 2 or more bodies corporate must be treated as 1 person if—
(a)
one of them is a body corporate of which the others are subsidiaries; or
(b)
all of them are subsidiaries of the same body corporate; or
(c)
all of them are associates of each other; or
(d)
one of them owns or controls shares that in the aggregate carry the right to exercise or control the exercise of 20% or more of the voting power at meetings of the others; or
(e)
a third person owns or controls shares in each of them that carry the right to exercise or control the exercise of 20% or more of the voting power at meetings of each of them.
(2)
For the purposes of subsection (1)(c), a body corporate is an associate of another if that body corporate is able, whether directly or indirectly, to exert a substantial degree of influence over the activities of the other.
(3)
A body corporate is not able to exert a substantial degree of influence over another body corporate for the purposes of subsection (2) just because—
(a)
those bodies corporate are in competition in the same market; or
(b)
one of them supplies goods or services to the other.
(4)
If any of the circumstances described in subsection (1)(a) to (e) apply to 2 or more bodies corporate for part of a year, those bodies corporate must be treated as 1 person in respect of that part of the year to which the relevant circumstance applies.
Section 79: substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 36 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 79(4): inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 7 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Subpart 2—Amounts payable by liable persons to the Crown
Subpart 2 heading: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Annual procedure for determining amounts payable by liable persons to the Crown
Heading: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
80 Interpretation
In this subpart, unless the context otherwise requires,—
financial reporting standard has the same meaning as in section 5(1) of the Financial Reporting Act 2013
financial statements—
(a)
has the same meaning as in section 6 of the Financial Reporting Act 2013, unless section 79 applies; and
(b)
if section 79 applies and an applicable financial reporting standard requires the bodies corporate to produce group financial statements (within the meaning of section 7 of the Financial Reporting Act 2013), means those financial statements
minimum telecommunications revenue means $10 million, or such other amount, as may be prescribed by regulations made under section 101(1)(a), of gross revenue (as may be determined in accordance with any specifications set by the Commission) that a liable person receives during a financial year for supplying either or both of the following (excluding any amount paid to a liable person by the Crown as compensation for the cost of complying with a TSO instrument that contains a specified amount):
(a)
telecommunications services by means of its PTN:
(b)
telecommunications services by means that rely primarily on the existence of its PTN or any other PTN.
Section 80: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 80 financial reporting standard: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 8 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 80 financial statements: replaced, on 3 May 2017, by section 8 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Requirement to produce certain information[Repealed]
Heading: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
81 Subpart does not apply to certain liable persons
(1)
This subpart does not apply to a liable person in respect of a financial year (financial year A) if—
(a)
the liable person was not trading in the financial year preceding financial year A; or
(b)
the liable person’s telecommunications revenue for the year preceding financial year A was less than the minimum telecommunications revenue.
(2)
For the purpose of determining whether a person is a liable person to whom this subpart applies in respect of a financial year, the Commission may, by written notice to that person, require the person to provide to the Commission, within the time specified in the notice,—
(a)
the person’s financial statements for the year preceding financial year A, which may be the financial statements for—
(i)
the financial year as defined in section 5; or
(ii)
if the person has a different accounting period, the relevant period for that person, provided that the financial statements are for a period of 12 consecutive months ending not more than 6 months before 30 June in the year preceding financial year A; and
(b)
any further information specified by the Commission for the purpose of enabling it to verify the telecommunications revenue of that person for the year preceding financial year A; and
(c)
a certificate that complies with subsection (3).
(3)
A certificate complies with this subsection if—
(a)
it certifies the person’s telecommunications revenue for the year preceding financial year A; and
(b)
it is signed by 2 directors of the person with the authority of the other directors.
Section 81: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 81(2)(a): replaced, on 3 May 2017, by section 9 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
81A Application of subpart if non-liable person acquires assets of liable person
(1)
Subsection (2) applies if, during a financial year, a liable person disposes of assets used to generate qualified revenue and a person who acquires those assets is a non-liable person.
(2)
The acquirer of the assets must, in relation to revenue associated with those assets, pay the amount of the telecommunications development levy determined under section 88(b), and any further amounts that may be payable to the Crown under section 89, as if the acquirer were the liable person, regardless of whether any part of the revenue taken into account in calculating that liability was received before the person acquired the assets.
(3)
To avoid doubt, an acquirer of assets who does not receive the minimum telecommunications revenue is not a liable person.
Section 81A: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 10 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
82 Liable persons must produce information on qualified revenue
Not later than 60 working days before the end of each financial year (financial year A), each liable person must provide to the Commission a copy of—
(a)
its financial statements for the financial year preceding financial year A; and
(b)
any further information specified by the Commission for the purpose of enabling it to verify the qualified revenue of that person for the financial year preceding financial year A.
Section 82: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Net cost[Repealed]
Heading: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
83 Liable persons must produce information for purposes of liability allocation determination
(1)
Not later than 60 working days after the end of each financial year, each liable person must provide to the Commission—
(a)
all prescribed information or, if there is no prescribed information, information specified by the Commission, for the purpose of enabling the Commission to make its determination in accordance with section 88(a); and
(b)
either—
(i)
a report on the information provided by the liable person under subsection (1)(a), prepared by a qualified auditor in accordance with an auditing and assurance standard issued under section 12 of the Financial Reporting Act 2013, as specified by the Commission; or
(ii)
an alternative form of assurance, as specified by the Commission, that the Commission is satisfied will enable it to make a determination.
(2)
[Repealed]Section 83: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 83(1)(b): replaced, on 3 May 2017, by section 11(1) of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 83(2): repealed, on 3 May 2017, by section 11(2) of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
84 Commission to prepare draft liability allocation determination
(1)
The Commission must—
(a)
prepare a draft liability allocation determination for each financial year; and
(b)
give public notice of that draft determination; and
(c)
include in the public notice the closing date for submissions, which must be not later than 20 working days after the date of giving public notice.
(2)
The Commission must make reasonable efforts to do the things referred to in subsection (1) not later than 80 working days after the end of the financial year.
Section 84: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Amount of revenue received by liable persons in relation to TSO instrument[Repealed]
Heading: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
85 Matters to be included in draft liability allocation determination
(1)
A draft liability allocation determination must include—
(a)
the amount of each liable person’s qualified revenue; and
(b)
the amount of the telecommunications development levy payable by each liable person for the financial year, calculated in accordance with the following formula:
| a | × c | ||
| b |
where—
- a
is the amount of the liable person’s qualified revenue
- b
is the sum of all liable persons’ qualified revenue
- c
is the telecommunications development levy specified for the relevant year in Schedule 3B; and
(c)
the methodology applied by the Commission in preparing the determination; and
(d)
the reasons for the determination.
(2)
To avoid doubt, the Commission may determine what revenue basis to use for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) (for example, a net revenue basis).
Section 85: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
85A Certain revenue from broadcasting services must be excluded from qualified revenue
(1)
For the purposes of this subpart, the amount of a liable person’s qualified revenue must exclude the following amounts (as determined in accordance with any specifications set by the Commission):
(a)
any amount of revenue that is received by a liable person in relation to a broadcasting service that is supplied to end-users free of charge (for example, revenue derived from a free-to-air radio or television service):
(b)
any amount of revenue that is received before 1 July 2020 by a liable person in relation to any other broadcasting service.
(2)
The specifications set by the Commission may (without limitation) provide for the apportionment of any amount of revenue if the amount is received in connection with a service referred to in subsection (1) and 1 or more other services.
Section 85A: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 10 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
General provision relating to TSO cost allocation determination and TSO cost calculation determination[Repealed]
Heading: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
86 Conferences on draft liability allocation determination
The Commission may—
(a)
hold conferences in relation to the draft liability allocation determination; and
(b)
invite to those conferences any person who has a material interest in the determination.
Section 86: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
TSO cost allocation determination[Repealed]
Heading: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
87 Commission to prepare final liability allocation determination
(1)
The Commission must—
(a)
prepare a final liability allocation determination; and
(b)
[Repealed](c)
give a copy of that final determination to all liable persons.
(2)
The Commission must make reasonable efforts to do the things referred to in subsection (1) not later than 20 working days after the closing date for submissions specified in accordance with section 84(1)(c).
(3)
A determination under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must: | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| • give public notice in accordance with section 6 | ||||
| • comply with subsection (1)(c) | ||||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 87: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 87(1)(b): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 87(3): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
88 Matters to be included in final liability allocation determination
A final liability allocation determination must include—
(a)
the amount of each liable person’s qualified revenue; and
(b)
the amount of the telecommunications development levy payable by each liable person, calculated in accordance with the formula set out in section 85(1)(b); and
(c)
the methodology applied by the Commission in preparing the determination; and
(d)
the reasons for the determination.
Section 88: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
89 Payment by liable persons to the Crown
(1)
Each liable person must pay to the Crown the amount set out in the determination in accordance with section 88(b) not later than 20 working days after the date that the determination is publicly notified.
(2)
If that amount is not paid on or before the due date,—
(a)
it is recoverable in any court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due to the Crown; and
(b)
the liable person must pay the Crown interest on the unpaid amount at the 90-day bank bill rate (as at 21 working days after the date on which the determination is publicly notified) plus 5% for the period from the time the amount was due until the time at which it is paid.
(3)
Subsection (2) does not authorise the imposing of interest on interest.
Section 89: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
General matters
Heading: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
90 Crown use of telecommunications development levy
(1)
The amounts paid by liable persons under section 89 (collectively, the telecommunications development levy) may be used for the following purposes:
(a)
to pay TSO charges:
(b)
to pay for non-urban telecommunications infrastructure development:
(c)
to pay for upgrades to the emergency service calling system:
(d)
any other purpose that the Minister considers will facilitate the supply of certain telecommunications services to groups of end-users within New Zealand to whom those telecommunications services may not otherwise be supplied on a commercial basis or at a price that is considered by the Minister to be affordable to those groups of end-users.
(2)
The telecommunications development levy must not be used for a purpose under subsection (1)(d) unless the Minister has first consulted liable persons and any persons and organisations that the Minister considers appropriate having regard to the proposed use of the levy.
(3)
To avoid doubt, except as provided in section 94L, nothing in this section requires the Crown to use any amount paid by liable persons under section 89 within any particular time.
Section 90: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
91 Commission must notify final liability allocation determination before notifying TSO cost calculation determination
(1)
The Commission may determine the priority between the preparation of a liability allocation determination and the preparation of a TSO cost calculation determination and, accordingly, may comply with sections 84 to 88 and sections 94F to 94K in the sequence, as between those 2 sets of sections, as it thinks fit.
(2)
[Repealed]Section 91: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 91(2): repealed, on 3 May 2017, by section 12 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
TSO cost calculation determination[Repealed]
Heading: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
92 Annual telecommunications development levy may be reduced by Order in Council
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, amend Schedule 3B by reducing the annual telecommunications development levy set out in that schedule for 1 or more future years.
(2)
The Minister must not recommend the making of an order unless the Minister is satisfied that the full amount set out in Schedule 3B is not required for the purposes in section 90.
(3)
An order under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 92: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 92(3): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Subpart 2A—TSO charges payable by the Crown
Subpart 2A: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Assessment of compliance
Heading: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
93 Assessment of compliance with TSO instrument
Not later than 60 working days after the end of each financial year, the Commission must—
(a)
assess a TSO provider’s compliance with its TSO instrument during that financial year in accordance with any process set out in the TSO instrument; and
(b)
notify the TSO provider and the Minister, in writing, of any non-compliance by the TSO provider with the TSO instrument.
Section 93: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
93A Matters to be included in draft TSO cost calculation determination
[Repealed]Section 93A: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
93B Conferences on draft TSO cost calculation determination
[Repealed]Section 93B: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
93C Commission to prepare final TSO cost calculation determination
[Repealed]Section 93C: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
93D Requirements for final TSO cost calculation determination
[Repealed]Section 93D: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
93E Matters to be included in final TSO cost calculation determination
[Repealed]Section 93E: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Calculation of amount payable by liable person[Repealed]
Heading: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
93F Calculation of amount payable by liable person
[Repealed]Section 93F: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
TSO provider may request TSO cost calculation determination
Heading: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
94 TSO provider under TSO instrument without specified amount may request TSO cost calculation determination
(1)
If a TSO provider under a TSO instrument that does not contain a specified amount wishes to have the TSO charges for the instrument determined in respect of a financial year, the TSO provider must notify the Commission that it wishes to invoke the procedure in sections 94D to 94K for the preparation of a TSO cost calculation determination for that financial year.
(2)
The notification must be—
(a)
in writing; and
(b)
given not later than 90 working days after the end of the relevant financial year.
(3)
A TSO provider under a deemed TSO instrument who gives notice under subsection (1) must, at the time of giving that notice to the Commission, serve a copy of the notice on every other TSO provider under a deemed TSO instrument.
Section 94: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 94(3): added, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 54 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Calculation of amount payable by TSO provider[Repealed]
Heading: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
94A TSO provider who requests TSO cost calculation determination liable for costs in certain circumstances
(1)
A TSO provider who notifies the Commission under section 94 must, if the Commission determines the TSO charges for the instrument to be zero, pay the costs of the Commission relating to the procedure in sections 94F to 94K for the preparation of the TSO cost calculation determination (including the costs of any expert advice) as directed by the Commission in writing.
(2)
The Commission may enforce a direction given under subsection (1) by filing it in the prescribed form in the Wellington Registry of the High Court.
(3)
A direction that is filed in the Registry of the High Court under this section is enforceable as a judgment of the High Court in its civil jurisdiction.
Section 94A: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
94B Withdrawal of request for TSO cost calculation determination
(1)
A TSO provider who notifies the Commission under section 94 may subsequently withdraw its request for a TSO cost calculation determination.
(2)
The withdrawal must be made by submitting a notice in writing to the Commission before the Commission publicly notifies its final TSO cost calculation determination under section 94J(1)(b).
(3)
A TSO provider who withdraws a request for a TSO cost calculation determination must pay the costs of the Commission (including the costs of any expert advice) relating to as much of the procedure in sections 94F to 94K as has been undertaken in preparing the determination before the withdrawal, as directed by the Commission in writing.
(4)
Section 94A(2) and (3) apply to the enforcement of the direction.
Section 94B: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
94C TSO charges deemed to be zero if TSO provider does not request TSO cost calculation determination
If a TSO provider under a TSO instrument that does not contain a specified amount does not notify the Commission in accordance with section 94,—
(a)
sections 91 and 94D to 94L do not apply in respect of the TSO provider or TSO instrument; and
(b)
the TSO charges for the instrument are deemed to be zero.
Section 94C: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Annual procedure for determining TSO charges payable by the Crown
Heading: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
94D Calculations of net cost and auditor’s report must be given to Commission
(1)
Not later than 90 working days after the end of each financial year, a TSO provider under a TSO instrument that does not contain a specified amount must provide to the Commission—
(a)
calculations of the net cost to the TSO provider of complying with the TSO instrument during the financial year; and
(b)
a report prepared by a qualified auditor that includes a statement of whether or not the calculations comply with—
(i)
any prescribed requirements relating to those calculations; and
(ii)
any requirements of the Commission.
(2)
This section is subject to section 94C.
Section 94D: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
94E Considerations for determining net cost
(1)
In calculating the net cost under section 94D and calculating the net cost for the purposes of a draft TSO cost calculation determination under section 94F and a final TSO cost calculation determination under section 94J, the following must be taken into account:
(a)
in the case of an instrument that is declared to be a TSO instrument under section 70, the range of direct and indirect revenues and associated benefits derived from providing telecommunications services to commercially non-viable end-users, less the costs of providing those services to those end-users:
(b)
in the case of a deemed TSO instrument, the range of direct and indirect revenues and associated benefits derived from providing telecommunications services to all end-users connected to existing residential lines, less the costs of providing those services to those end-users:
(c)
the provision of a reasonable return on the incremental capital employed in providing those services to end-users.
(2)
Subsection (1) is subject to subsections (3) and (4).
(3)
In calculating the net cost for the purposes of a draft TSO cost calculation determination under section 94F and a final TSO cost calculation determination under section 94J, the Commission—
(a)
may choose not to include profits from any new telecommunications services that involve significant capital investment and that offer capabilities not available from established telecommunications services; and
(b)
must not include any losses from telecommunications services other than services that the TSO instrument requires the TSO provider to provide; and
(c)
must consider the purpose set out in section 18.
(4)
In calculating the net cost under section 94D, the TSO provider must comply with any requirements of the Commission relating to the application of subsection (3)(a) to (c).
(5)
In this section,—
established telecommunications services means telecommunications services that are not new telecommunications services
new telecommunications services means telecommunications services that were first provided in New Zealand within 5 years before the start of the financial year to which the calculation of the net cost relates.
Section 94E: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
94EA Calculations of net revenue and auditor’s report must be given to Commission
(1)
This section applies to a TSO provider under a deemed TSO instrument that requires the TSO provider to provide a telecommunications service to end-users and who is served with a copy of a notice under section 94(3).
(2)
Not later than 60 days after receiving the copy of the notice served under section 94(3), a TSO provider to whom this section applies must provide to the Commission—
(a)
calculations of the net revenue of the TSO provider for the financial year; and
(b)
a report prepared by a qualified auditor that includes a statement of whether the calculations comply with—
(i)
any prescribed requirements relating to those calculations; and
(ii)
any requirements of the Commission.
Section 94EA: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 55 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
94EB Considerations for determining net revenue
(1)
In calculating net revenue under section 94EA and calculating net revenue for the purposes of a draft TSO cost calculation determination under section 94F and a final TSO cost calculation determination under section 94J, the provision of a reasonable return on the incremental capital employed in providing telecommunications services to end-users must be taken into account.
(2)
In calculating the net revenue for the purposes of a draft TSO cost calculation determination under section 94F and a final TSO cost calculation determination under section 94J, the Commission—
(a)
may choose not to include profits from any new telecommunications services that involve significant capital investment and that offer capabilities not available from established telecommunications services; and
(b)
must not include any losses from telecommunications services other than services that the TSO instrument requires the TSO provider to provide; and
(c)
must consider the purpose set out in section 18.
(3)
In calculating net revenue under section 94EA, the TSO provider must comply with any requirements of the Commission relating to the application of subsection (2)(a) to (c).
(4)
In this section, established telecommunications services and new telecommunications services have the same meanings as in section 94E.
Section 94EB: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 55 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
94F Commission to prepare draft TSO cost calculation determination
(1)
The Commission must—
(a)
prepare a draft TSO cost calculation determination in respect of each TSO instrument for each financial year; and
(b)
give public notice of that draft determination; and
(c)
include in the public notice the closing date for submissions, which must be not later than 20 working days after the date of giving public notice.
(2)
The Commission must make reasonable efforts to do the things referred to in subsection (1) not later than 120 working days after the end of the financial year.
(3)
This section is subject to sections 94 and 94C.
Section 94F: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
94G Matters to be included in draft TSO cost calculation determination
A draft TSO cost calculation determination must include,—
(a)
if the TSO instrument does not contain a specified amount, the net cost to the TSO provider of complying with the TSO instrument during the financial year and all material information that—
(i)
relates to the calculation of the net cost; and
(ii)
would not, in the opinion of the Commission, be likely to unreasonably prejudice the commercial position of the TSO provider; and
(ab)
if the TSO instrument does not contain a specified amount and is a deemed TSO instrument, the net revenue of all providers under deemed TSO instruments, excluding the provider whose net cost is set out in paragraph (a), and all material information that—
(i)
relates to the calculation of the net revenue; and
(ii)
would not, in the opinion of the Commission, be likely to unreasonably prejudice the commercial position of any TSO provider; and
(b)
if the TSO instrument contains a specified amount, the dollar amount of the specified amount and all material information that—
(i)
relates to the calculation of that amount; and
(ii)
would not, in the opinion of the Commission, be likely to unreasonably prejudice the commercial position of the TSO provider; and
(c)
the amount (if any) by which the total amount that the TSO provider would receive from the Crown in relation to the TSO instrument must be reduced because the TSO provider has not complied with the TSO instrument; and
(d)
the methodology applied by the Commission in preparing the determination; and
(e)
the reasons for the determination.
Section 94G: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 94G(ab): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 56 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
94H Requirements for draft TSO cost calculation determination
In preparing a draft TSO cost calculation determination of the matters referred to in section 94G(c), the Commission must consider the steps taken (if any) by the TSO provider to remedy any non-compliance by the TSO provider with the TSO instrument between the date the TSO provider was notified of the non-compliance under section 93(b) and the date that is 15 working days before public notice is given under section 94F(1)(b).
Section 94H: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
94I Conferences on draft TSO cost calculation determination
The Commission may—
(a)
hold conferences in relation to a draft TSO cost calculation determination; and
(b)
invite to those conferences any person who has a material interest in the determination.
Section 94I: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
94J Commission to prepare final TSO cost calculation determination
(1)
The Commission must—
(a)
prepare a final TSO cost calculation determination; and
(b)
[Repealed](c)
give a copy of that final determination to the Minister, all liable persons, and the TSO providers in relation to the TSO instrument.
(2)
The Commission must make reasonable efforts to do the things referred to in subsection (1) not later than 40 working days after the closing date for submissions specified in accordance with section 94F(1)(c).
(3)
This section is subject to sections 94 and 94C.
(4)
A determination under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
(5)
When a determination is published, the Commission must publish its reasons for making the determination on the Commission’s Internet site.
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must: | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| • give public notice in accordance with section 6 | ||||
| • comply with subsection (5) | ||||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 94J: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 94J(1)(b): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 94J(4): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 94J(5): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
94K Matters to be included in final TSO cost calculation determination
(1)
A final TSO cost calculation determination must include,—
(a)
if the TSO instrument does not contain a specified amount, the net cost to the TSO provider of complying with the TSO instrument during the financial year and all material information that—
(i)
relates to the calculation of the net cost; and
(ii)
would not, in the opinion of the Commission, be likely to unreasonably prejudice the commercial position of the TSO provider; and
(ab)
if the TSO instrument does not contain a specified amount and is a deemed TSO instrument, the net revenue for the financial year of all providers under deemed TSO instruments, excluding the provider whose net cost is set out under paragraph (a), and all material information that—
(i)
relates to the calculation of the net revenue; and
(ii)
would not, in the opinion of the Commission, be likely to unreasonably prejudice the commercial position of any TSO provider; and
(b)
if the TSO instrument contains a specified amount, the dollar amount of the specified amount and all material information that—
(i)
relates to the calculation of that amount; and
(ii)
would not, in the opinion of the Commission, be likely to unreasonably prejudice the commercial position of the TSO provider; and
(c)
the amount (if any) by which the total amount that the TSO provider would receive from the Crown in relation to the TSO instrument must be reduced because the TSO provider has not complied with the TSO instrument; and
(d)
the amount payable by the Crown to the TSO provider in relation to the TSO instrument in respect of the financial year calculated,—
(i)
in the case of a TSO instrument that does not contain a specified amount and is not a deemed instrument, by subtracting the amount of the reduction (if any) referred to in paragraph (c) from the net cost referred to in paragraph (a); and
(ia)
in the case of a TSO instrument that does not contain a specified amount and is a deemed TSO instrument, by subtracting the amount of the reduction (if any) referred to in paragraph (c) and the net revenue referred to in paragraph (ab) from the net cost referred to in paragraph (a); and
(ii)
in the case of a TSO instrument that contains a specified amount, by subtracting the amount of the reduction (if any) referred to in paragraph (c) from the specified amount referred to in paragraph (b); and
(e)
the amount payable by the Crown to the TSO provider in relation to the TSO instrument for the loss of use of the amount referred to in paragraph (d), calculated at the 90-day bank bill rate (as at the date of the final determination) for the period commencing from the end of the financial year and ending with the date of the final TSO cost calculation determination; and
(f)
the methodology used by the Commission in preparing the determination.
(g)
[Repealed](2)
To avoid doubt, if the calculation under subsection (1)(a) or (b) results in a figure that is zero or less, the amount for the purposes of subsection (1)(d) and (e), and that must be included in the determination, is zero.
Section 94K: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 94K(1)(ab): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 57(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 94K(1)(d)(i): amended, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 57(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 94K(1)(d)(ia): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 57(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 94K(1)(g): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
94L Payment by the Crown to TSO provider
(1)
The Crown must pay to the TSO provider, not later than 30 working days after the date that the final TSO cost calculation determination is publicly notified,—
(a)
the amount set out in the final TSO cost calculation determination in accordance with section 94K(1)(d); and
(b)
the amount set out in the final TSO cost calculation determination in accordance with section 94K(1)(e).
(2)
If the Crown does not pay the total of the amounts referred to in subsection (1) on or before the due date, the Crown must pay the TSO provider interest on the unpaid amount at the 90-day bank bill rate (as at 31 working days after the date on which the final cost calculation determination is publicly notified) plus 5% for the period from the time the amount was due until the time at which it is paid.
Section 94L: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 15 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Subpart 3—Remedies and miscellaneous
Remedies
95 Application of sections 96 to 98 to TSO instruments that are company constitutions
[Repealed]Section 95: repealed, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 58 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
96 Power of court to grant relief in respect of TSO instrument
(1)
If, on the application of the Crown, it appears to the High Court that a TSO provider intends to engage, or is engaging, or has engaged, in conduct that constitutes, or would constitute, a breach of the terms of a TSO instrument, the court may make any orders on any terms and conditions that it thinks appropriate, including, without limitation,—
(a)
an order to—
(i)
restrain the TSO provider from engaging in conduct that constitutes, or would constitute, the breach:
(ii)
require the TSO provider to do a particular act or thing:
(iii)
require the TSO provider to comply with the terms of the TSO instrument:
(b)
an interim order.
(2)
In any proceeding under this section, the Crown, on the order of the court, may obtain discovery and administer interrogatories.
(3)
The court may at any time rescind or vary an order made under this section.
Section 96(1): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 47 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 96(1)(a)(i): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 47 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 96(1)(a)(ii): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 47 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 96(1)(a)(iii): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 47 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
97 Court must take public interest into account
In deciding whether to make an order under section 96, the court must take into account whether or not it is in the public interest that the order be made.
98 Certain matters not to prevent making of order under section 96
None of the following prevents the court from making an order under section 96:
(a)
the fact that any benefit or advantage that the TSO provider obtains, or is likely to obtain, in connection with the TSO instrument is provided by a person other than the Crown:
(b)
the fact that services are provided under the TSO instrument to a person other than, or in addition to, the Crown.
Section 98(a): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 48 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
99 Amounts identifying particular TSOs in invoices not permitted
[Repealed]Section 99: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 16 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Miscellaneous
100 Right of appeal to High Court
(1)
The following persons and (as applicable) the Crown may appeal to the High Court against the following matters:
(a)
a liable person, against a determination of the Commission, in relation to that person, of the matter referred to in section 88(a):
(b)
a TSO provider, against a direction of the Commission under section 94A(1) or 94B(3):
(c)
a liable person, TSO provider, or the Crown, against a determination of the Commission in respect of a matter referred to in section 94K(1)(a) to (g).
(2)
An appeal under subsection (1) may be on a question of law only.
(3)
If an appeal or judicial review proceedings are commenced about a liability allocation determination, TSO cost calculation determination, or direction under section 94A(1), the determination or direction continues to have effect and is enforceable as if the proceedings had not been commenced until the proceedings are finally disposed of.
(4)
To avoid doubt, the obligations to pay money imposed by sections 89 and 94L continue to have effect and are enforceable despite any appeal or judicial review proceedings about a determination that relates to those payments, until the proceedings are finally disposed of.
(5)
TSO provider, in subsection (1), means the TSO provider under the TSO instrument to which the direction or determination relates.
Section 100: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 17 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
100A Procedure for determinations
For a determination made under this Part, the Commission—
(a)
is not bound by technicalities, legal forms, or rules of evidence:
(b)
may inform itself of any matter relevant to the determination in any way it thinks appropriate:
(c)
must consider all submissions made in relation to the determination and all information and opinions presented or expressed at any conference in relation to the determination.
Section 100A: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 50 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
100B Commission must include information about deemed TSO instrument in TSO cost calculation determinations
(1)
The Commission must include the information specified in subsection (2) in a—
(a)
draft TSO cost calculation determination under section 94F in relation to a deemed TSO instrument:
(b)
final TSO cost calculation determination under section 94J in relation to a deemed TSO instrument.
(2)
The information referred to in subsection (1) is as follows:
(a)
the name, location, and limits of each geographical area within which the TSO provider supplies the service under the deemed TSO instrument; and
(b)
the number of subscriber lines for that service in each geographical area; and
(c)
the number of those subscriber lines for which—
(i)
the revenue attributed by the Commission is greater than, or equal to, the respective cost attributed; and
(ii)
the revenue attributed by the Commission is less than the respective cost attributed; and
(d)
the net cost of the deemed TSO instrument in each geographical area; and
(e)
any related information that is necessary to assist in understanding the information specified in paragraphs (a) to (d).
(3)
The geographical areas referred to in subsection (2) must correspond to the areas that the Commission has identified in assessing, for the purpose of calculating the TSO net cost, the commercial viability of supplying the service to end-users.
Section 100B: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 50 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 100B(1)(a): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 18(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 100B(1)(b): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 18(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 100B(3): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 18(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
100BA Commission must include information about spending of TSO charges paid in relation to deemed TSO instrument
(1)
The Commission must include the information specified in subsection (2) in—
(a)
a draft TSO cost calculation determination under section 94F, in relation to a deemed TSO instrument; and
(b)
a final TSO cost calculation determination under section 94J, in relation to a deemed TSO instrument.
(2)
The information referred to in subsection (1) is the amount of the total TSO charges most recently received by the TSO provider (if any), that the TSO provider has spent on each of the following, and details of that expenditure:
(a)
TSO-related infrastructure:
(b)
TSO-related operational costs:
(c)
any other items.
(3)
For the purpose of enabling the Commission to comply with subsection (1), the Commission may require the TSO provider to prepare and provide information about the spending of the TSO charges most recently received by the TSO provider.
(4)
The TSO provider must prepare and provide any information required under subsection (3) in accordance with the Commission’s requirements.
Section 100BA: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 19 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
100C Duties of Commission in complying with sections 100B and 100BA
(1)
In complying with section 100B, the Commission must ensure that—
(a)
the information to be included in a draft or final TSO cost calculation determination is at its lowest level of aggregation (as determined by the Commission); and
(b)
satisfactory provision exists to protect the confidentiality of any information that—
(i)
the person who supplied it has advised is confidential; or
(ii)
may reasonably be regarded as confidential; and
(c)
the inclusion of that information does not constitute an action that is an interference with the privacy of an individual under section 69 of the Privacy Act 2020.
(2)
However, if the Commission considers that compliance with subsection (1)(a) will, or is likely to, prejudice compliance with subsection (1)(b) or (c), the Commission—
(a)
may aggregate the information before it is included under section 100B; and
(b)
may do so in any manner that it thinks fit.
(3)
In complying with section 100BA, the Commission must ensure that satisfactory provision exists to protect the confidentiality of any information that may reasonably be regarded as confidential or commercially sensitive.
Section 100C: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 50 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 100C heading: amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 20(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 100C(1)(c): amended, on 1 December 2020, by section 217 of the Privacy Act 2020 (2020 No 31).
Section 100C(3): added, on 1 July 2011, by section 20(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
101 Regulations
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations that—
(a)
determine the amount of the minimum telecommunications revenue for the purposes of section 80:
(b)
prescribe the information that must be provided to the Commission under section 83(1)(a):
(c)
provide for the appointment of auditors who may make an auditor’s report under section 83(1)(b) or 94D(1)(b):
(d)
prescribe requirements to which section 94D(1)(b)(i) applies:
(da)
prescribe requirements to which section 94EA(2)(b)(i) applies:
(e)
provide for any methods for all or any of the following:
(i)
preparing a draft determination of the amount of qualified revenue referred to in section 85(1)(a):
(ii)
determining the amount of qualified revenue referred to in section 88(a):
(iii)
calculating the net cost under section 94D:
(iiia)
calculating the net revenue under section 94EA:
(iv)
preparing a draft determination of the net cost referred to in section 94G(a):
(v)
determining the net cost referred to in section 94K(1)(a).
(2)
The Minister must not make a recommendation under subsection (1)(b) to (e) unless—
(a)
the Commission has consulted every liable person; and
(b)
the Commission has recommended that the regulations be made.
(3)
The Minister must not recommend the making of regulations under subsection (1)(a) unless the Minister is satisfied that, if the regulations were made, the minimum telecommunications revenue under those regulations would not exceed the maximum telecommunications revenue threshold.
(4)
In this section, maximum telecommunications revenue threshold means the amount calculated in accordance with the following formula:
| a | × c | ||
| b |
where—
- a
is the CPI index number for the last quarter before the Minister’s recommendation would be made
- b
is the CPI index number for the last quarter before the date of commencement of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011
- c
is $10 million.
(5)
Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 101: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 101(1)(da): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 59(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 101(1)(e)(iiia): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 59(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 101(5): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
101A Review of local service TSO arrangements
[Repealed]Section 101A: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Part 4 Networks
Subpart 1—Network operators and networks generally
Declarations of network operator status
102 Persons declared to be network operators
(1)
The purpose of this section and sections 103 to 105 is to facilitate entry into, and competition in, telecommunications markets.
(2)
A person may apply to the Minister to be declared a network operator for the purposes of this Act or any provisions of this Act.
(3)
For the purposes of this section and sections 103 to 105, any 2 or more bodies corporate must be treated as 1 person if—
(a)
one of them is a body corporate of which the others are subsidiaries; or
(b)
all of them are subsidiaries of the same body corporate; or
(c)
all of them are associates of each other; or
(d)
one of them owns or controls shares that in the aggregate carry the right to exercise or control the exercise of 20% or more of the voting power at meetings of the others; or
(e)
a third person owns or controls shares in each of them that carry the right to exercise or control the exercise of 20% or more of the voting power at meetings of each of them.
(4)
For the purposes of subsection (3)(c), a body corporate is an associate of another if that body corporate is able, whether directly or indirectly, to exert a substantial degree of influence over the activities of the other.
(5)
A body corporate is not able to exert a substantial degree of influence over another body corporate for the purposes of subsection (4) just because—
(a)
those bodies corporate are in competition in the same market; or
(b)
one of them supplies goods or services to the other.
Compare: 1987 No 116 ss 2(2), 2A(1)
Section 102(1): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 39(4) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 102(3): substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 52 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 102(4): added, on 22 December 2006, by section 52 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 102(5): added, on 22 December 2006, by section 52 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
103 Ministerial requirements for declaration
The Minister must declare an applicant to be a network operator for the purposes of this Act or any provisions of this Act if the Minister is satisfied that a declaration is necessary to enable the applicant to commence or carry on a business providing—
(a)
facilities for telecommunication (other than facilities used exclusively for broadcasting) between 10 or more other persons that enable at least 10 of those persons to communicate with each other; or
(b)
facilities for broadcasting to 500 or more other persons that enable programmes to be transmitted along a line or lines to each of those persons.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 2A(2)
Section 103(a): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 39(5) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
104 When declaration must be revoked
The Minister must revoke a declaration if the Minister is satisfied that a network operator has ceased to provide the facilities listed in section 103.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 2A(4)
105 Declaration made or revoked by notice
(1)
A declaration is made by notice, except that Chorus and Spark are declared to be network operators by this Act.
(1A)
A declaration may be revoked by notice (including the declarations relating to Chorus and Spark).
(2)
A notice making or revoking a declaration is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 2A(3), (5)
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must publish it in the Gazette | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 105 heading: amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 105(1): substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 63(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 105(1): amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 105(1): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 105(1A): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 63(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 105(1A): amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 105(1A): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 105(2): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Connection to network
106 Operator must agree to connection to network
(1)
Except as provided in Part 2, a person may only connect equipment to a network, or to anything connected to a network, that is owned or operated by an operator who has agreed to the connection.
(2)
Nothing in subsection (1) limits the Commerce Act 1986.
(3)
Subsection (1) is subject to sections 107 and 108.
(4)
In subsection (1) and sections 107 and 108, operator means—
(a)
a network operator; or
(b)
any other person who provides a telecommunications service by means of a PTN that is operated by the person.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 6(1), (2)
Section 106(4)(b): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
107 When operator must not agree to connection to network
(1)
An operator must not agree to the connection of a telephone analyser to a network that is owned or operated by an operator unless the connection is for 1 or more of the following purposes:
(a)
to enable a person to whom the operator provides telecommunications services to obtain traffic data that relates to telecommunications between the person and other persons:
(b)
to maintain the network:
(c)
to detect, investigate, or prosecute any offence against section 112.
(2)
In this section,—
telephone analyser means any device—
(a)
that can be connected to any part of a network, or to any line, apparatus, or equipment connected to any part of a network; and
(b)
that is designed to record or enable the recording of traffic data, but cannot record or monitor, or enable the recording or monitoring of, the content of any telecommunication
traffic data has the same meaning as in section 3AB of the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Act 2013.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 6(2A)
Section 107(1)(a): amended, on 1 October 2025, by section 57 of the Budapest Convention and Related Matters Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 39).
Section 107(1)(c): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 39(6) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 107(2): replaced, on 1 October 2025, by section 57 of the Budapest Convention and Related Matters Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 39).
108 When operator must not refuse to agree to connection to network
(1)
An operator must not refuse to agree to the connection of any equipment to a network, or to anything connected to a network, that is owned or operated by the operator if the only reason for the refusal is that the operator considers that the equipment does not conform with the operator’s standards for connection of that equipment.
(2)
Subsection (1) applies only if—
(a)
the network operator has set either a standard that applies, or standards that apply, (applicable standards) to the equipment and its connection to the network; and
(b)
those applicable standards have been published in accordance with any regulations made under section 109; and
(c)
a relevant competent conformity assessment body has, in accordance with any regulations made under section 109, determined that the particular equipment complies with those published applicable standards.
(3)
In subsection (2) and section 109, relevant competent conformity assessment body means a body that is recognised, in accordance with any procedure set out in any regulations made under section 109, as being responsible for assessing, in accordance with those regulations, whether or not particular equipment complies with applicable standards that are published.
109 Regulations
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations for all or any of the following purposes:
(a)
providing for procedures and requirements relating to the publication of applicable standards under section 108(2)(b):
(b)
providing for procedures and requirements that relate to recognising a body as a competent conformity assessment body for the purposes of assessing compliance with applicable standards under section 108(2)(c):
(c)
providing for procedures and requirements that relate to assessing compliance with applicable standards under section 108(2)(c):
(d)
providing for any other matters contemplated by section 108, necessary for its administration, or necessary for giving it full effect.
(2)
Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 109(2): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
110 Actions for damages for contravention of section 106
(1)
Every person is liable for damages who—
(a)
contravenes section 106:
(b)
induces by threats, promises, or otherwise, the contravention of that section:
(c)
is in any way, directly or indirectly, knowingly concerned in, or party to, the contravention of that section.
(2)
An action under subsection (1) may be commenced at any time within 3 years from the time when the cause of action arose.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 20D
111 Injunctions may be granted by High Court for contravention of section 106
(1)
The High Court may, on the application of a network operator, grant an injunction restraining a person from engaging in conduct that constitutes, or would constitute, any of the following:
(a)
a contravention of, or an attempt to contravene, section 106:
(b)
inducing, or attempting to induce, any other person, whether by threats, promises, or otherwise, to contravene that section:
(c)
being in any way, directly or indirectly, knowingly concerned in, or party to, the contravention by any other person of that section.
(2)
The High Court may, at any time, rescind or vary an injunction granted under this section.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 20C
Information requirement
Heading: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 53 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
111A Information about interconnection arrangements
(1)
A major supplier must make publicly available a copy of—
(a)
the procedures that apply to interconnection with a PTN owned or operated by that supplier; and
(b)
all the applicable terms and conditions of supply for interconnection with that PTN.
(2)
In this section, major supplier—
(a)
means Spark; and
(b)
includes a person who is declared by the Governor-General, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, to be a major supplier for the purposes of this section.
(3)
The Minister must not make a recommendation under subsection (2)(b) unless the Minister is satisfied that the proposed order to which the recommendation relates is necessary to facilitate New Zealand’s compliance with its international obligations.
(4)
An order under subsection (2)(b) is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 111A: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 53 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 111A(1)(a): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 111A(1)(b): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 111A(2)(a): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 111A(4): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Misuse of network
112 Misuse of telephone device
(1)
Every person commits an offence who, in using a telephone device, uses profane, indecent, or obscene language, or makes a suggestion of a profane, indecent, or obscene nature, with the intention of offending the recipient.
(2)
Every person commits an offence who—
(a)
uses, or causes or permits to be used, any telephone device for the purpose of disturbing, annoying, or irritating any person, whether by calling up without speech or by wantonly or maliciously transmitting communications or sounds, with the intention of offending the recipient; or
(b)
in using a telecommunications device, knowingly gives any fictitious order, instruction, or message.
(3)
Every person who commits an offence against subsection (1) or subsection (2) is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding $2,000.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 8
Section 112(3): amended, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).
113 Indecent telephone calls for pecuniary gain
[Repealed]Section 113: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
114 Interception of telecommunications for authorised purposes
[Repealed]Section 114: repealed, on 1 October 2003, by section 35 of the Crimes Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 39).
115 Offence to use or disclose certain information for unauthorised purposes
[Repealed]Section 115: repealed, on 1 October 2003, by section 35 of the Crimes Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 39).
Evidence
116 Computer records
(1)
A document certified by an employee of a network operator to be a computer record of a telecommunication and to have been produced in the ordinary course of producing those computer records is prima facie evidence—
(a)
that the telecommunication was made; and
(b)
of the originating number, the number called, the date and time of the telecommunication, and the duration and cost of the telecommunication, to the extent that those items are contained in the computer record.
(2)
For the purposes of this section, computer record includes a computer printout or any other document produced by a device by means of which information is recorded or stored.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 9(2), (3)
Subpart 2—Maintenance of networks
Preliminary
117 Meaning of maintenance
(1)
In this subpart, maintenance includes—
(a)
any repairs and any other activities for the purpose of maintaining, or that have the effect of maintaining, lines or works; and
(b)
the carrying out of any replacement or upgrade of lines or works as long as the land will not be injuriously affected as a result of the replacement or upgrade.
(2)
Subsection (1) does not have the effect of making an activity of a kind referred to in that subsection a permitted use under a district plan or regional plan under the Resource Management Act 1991 or a development plan under the Urban Development Act 2020 if the activity would not have otherwise been a permitted use.
Section 117(2): amended, on 23 December 2023, by section 6 of the Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023 (2023 No 68).
Section 117(2): amended, on 7 August 2020, by section 300 of the Urban Development Act 2020 (2020 No 42).
118 Meaning of evidence of authority
In this subpart, evidence of authority, in relation to an officer, employee, or agent of a network operator, means a written authority issued to that officer, employee, or agent by the network operator that states—
(a)
the full name of the officer, employee, or agent to whom it is issued; and
(b)
the name of the network operator; and
(c)
the date on which the written authority is issued; and
(d)
the date (if any) on which the written authority expires; and
(e)
particulars of the powers of the network operator that the officer, employee, or agent is authorised to exercise; and
(f)
particulars of conditions (if any) imposed on the officer, employee, or agent by the network operator.
118A Notices under this subpart
(1)
Any notice that is required to be given to any person under this subpart must be in writing.
(2)
To avoid doubt, subsection (1) does not apply to notices given in any proceedings in a court.
Section 118A: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
119 Criteria for setting reasonable conditions
(1)
In setting, varying, or revoking reasonable conditions under section 135(2) or section 142(2)(b), the local authority or other person who has jurisdiction over the road concerned may consider all or any of the following matters:
(a)
the safe and efficient flow of traffic (whether pedestrian or vehicular):
(b)
the health and safety of any person who is, or class of persons who are, likely to be directly affected by the work on the road:
(c)
the need to lessen the damage that is likely to be caused to property (including structural integrity of the roads) as a result of work on the road:
(d)
the compensation that may be payable under section 154 for property that is likely to be damaged as a result of work on the road:
(e)
the need to lessen disruption to the local community (including businesses):
(f)
the co-ordination of installation of other networks:
(g)
the co-ordination with road construction work by the local authority or other person who has jurisdiction over that road:
(h)
the need of a network operator to establish a telecommunications network in a timely manner.
(2)
Nothing in subsection (1) limits a local authority’s or other person’s ability to impose reasonable conditions under section 135(2) or section 142(2)(b).
(3)
However, a condition requiring a network operator to increase amenity values (rather than to merely maintain them) must not be imposed unless the work to be done is in an area identified in a district plan as an area in relation to which, under the district plan, there are particular considerations, or rules or requirements, relating to amenity values.
(4)
If the cost to the network operator of complying with a condition referred to in subsection (3) is higher than it would have been if there were not a requirement to increase amenity values, then the person imposing the condition must pay that increase in cost.
(5)
In subsection (3), a reference to a district plan includes a reference to a development plan under the Urban Development Act 2020.
Section 119(3): added, on 6 August 2010, by section 5 of the Infrastructure (Amendments Relating to Utilities Access) Act 2010 (2010 No 99).
Section 119(3): amended, on 23 December 2023, by section 6 of the Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023 (2023 No 68).
Section 119(4): added, on 6 August 2010, by section 5 of the Infrastructure (Amendments Relating to Utilities Access) Act 2010 (2010 No 99).
Section 119(5): inserted, on 7 August 2020, by section 300 of the Urban Development Act 2020 (2020 No 42).
Section 119(5): amended, on 23 December 2023, by section 6 of the Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023 (2023 No 68).
Rights of entry to land in respect of lines
120 Application to District Court
(1)
If a network operator wishes to enter land for the purpose of constructing, erecting, laying, or maintaining any line, the network operator may apply to the District Court for an order under section 121.
(2)
The network operator must give the owner and the occupier of the land at least 10 working days’ notice of the operator’s intention to apply to the District Court under subsection (1).
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 11(1)
Section 120(1): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
121 Court order
(1)
If the District Court is satisfied that the requirements set out in subsection (2) have been met, it may make an order authorising the network operator to—
(a)
enter the land at reasonable times, with or without any person who is, or anything that is, reasonably necessary for the construction, erection, laying, or maintenance of a line:
(b)
perform work that is reasonably necessary to construct, erect, lay, or maintain a line.
(2)
The requirements that must be met are as follows:
(a)
the construction, erection, laying, or maintenance of the line is necessary for the purposes of telecommunications:
(b)
the network operator has taken all reasonable steps to negotiate an agreement for entry:
(c)
in relation to the construction, erection, or laying of a line, no practical alternative route exists.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 11(2)
122 Contents of court order
Every order made under section 121 must specify—
(a)
how and when entry may be made; and
(b)
the specific powers intended to be exercised; and
(c)
any other conditions (including conditions relating to the payment of compensation) that the District Court thinks fit to impose.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 11(3)
123 Service of order
Before exercising any powers authorised by an order made under section 121, the network operator must serve the order on the owner and the occupier of the land to which the order relates.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 11(4)
124 Production of order
Every officer, employee, or agent of a network operator acting under an order made under section 121 must produce evidence of his or her authority and identity—
(a)
on initial entry; and
(b)
after the initial entry, on request.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 11(5)
Rights of entry to land in respect of existing works and existing lines
125 Rights of entry to land
Subject to section 126, a network operator may—
(a)
enter land for the purpose of gaining access to any existing works or existing lines owned by the operator; and
(b)
perform any act or operation necessary for the purpose of inspecting, maintaining, or repairing those works or lines.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 12(1)
126 Conditions of entry to land
(1)
The power to enter land conferred by section 125 is subject to the following conditions:
(a)
entry to the land must only be made by an officer, employee, or agent of the network operator authorised by it in writing:
(b)
reasonable notice of the intention to enter must be given to the owner and to the occupier of the land:
(c)
entry must be made at reasonable times:
(d)
the person entering must produce evidence of his or her authority and identity—
(i)
on initial entry; and
(ii)
after the initial entry, on request.
(2)
The conditions in subsection (1) do not apply if entry on the land is—
(a)
necessary in circumstances of probable danger to life or property; or
(b)
immediately necessary to maintain the continuity or safety of the supply of telecommunications.
(3)
If subsection (2) applies, the network operator must, as soon as practicable after entry on the land, give notice to the owner and to the occupier of the land of the fact of the entry on the land and of what was done.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 12(3)
127 Evidentiary presumption
A certificate under the seal of a network operator containing a statement that a specified instrument, machinery, engine, structure, or other work was erected or constructed before 1 January 1988 under the authority of the Post Office Act 1959 (or any Act repealed by that Act), or that a line was constructed before 1 April 1989 under the authority of this Act, is admissible in evidence in any proceedings and, in the absence of proof to the contrary, constitutes proof of that statement.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 12(2)
Interference with lines
128 Request for removal or trimming of trees
If a tree, shrub, or plant on any land or road interferes with, or is likely to interfere with, a line, the network operator who uses the line may request the owner or occupier of the land, or local authority or other person who has control of the road, to remove or trim the tree, shrub, or plant.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 13(1)
129 Application to District Court
(1)
If an owner, occupier, a local authority, or other person fails to comply with a request made under section 128, the network operator who uses the line may apply to the District Court for an order authorising the network operator to remove or trim the tree, shrub, or plant in respect of which the request was made.
(2)
The network operator must give the owner, occupier, local authority, or other person who fails to comply with the request at least 10 working days’ notice of the operator’s intention to apply to the District Court under subsection (1).
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 13(2)
130 Court order
On being satisfied that a tree, shrub, or plant on land interferes with, or is likely to interfere with, a line, the District Court may make an order on any terms and conditions (including those relating to notice and time of removal or trimming) that the court thinks fit.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 13(2)
131 Costs of removal or trimming of trees
If a network operator removes or trims a tree, shrub, or plant on any land or road under the authority of an order made under section 130, the owner, occupier, local authority, or other person to whom notice of the application under section 129(2) was given is liable for the reasonable cost of the work of the network operator.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 13(3)
132 Removal of trees, etc, in emergency
(1)
If a tree, shrub, or plant on any land or road is, or is likely to, cause imminent danger to, or serious interference with, a line, the network operator may—
(a)
enter the land or road where the tree, shrub, or plant is rooted or overhangs; and
(b)
do work in respect of the tree, shrub, or plant that is necessary to remove the danger or serious interference, or likely danger or serious interference.
(2)
The network operator must, if it is possible in the circumstances, notify the occupier of the land, or the local authority or other person who has control of the road, as the case may be, of the operator’s intention to enter the land or road and carry out work under subsection (1).
(3)
A network operator who is unable to give notice to the relevant persons under subsection (2) must, as soon as practicable after entry on the land, give notice to the relevant persons of the fact of the entry on the land and of what was done.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 14(1)
133 Production of authority
Every officer, employee, or agent of a network operator who enters land or a road under section 132 must—
(a)
carry evidence of his or her authority and identity, which must be produced on request; or
(b)
work under the immediate control of a person who holds evidence of that person’s authority and identity, which must be produced if requested.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 14(2)
134 Costs of removal of trees, etc, in emergency
If a network operator removes or trims a tree, shrub, or plant on any land or road under section 132, the occupier of the land, or the local authority or other person who has control of the road, as the case may be, is liable for the reasonable cost of the work of the network operator.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 14(3)
Lines or wireless works on roads
Heading: amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
135 Construction or repair of lines or wireless works on roads
(1)
Except as provided in subsection (2), a network operator may—
(a)
construct, place, and maintain lines or wireless works in, on, along, over, across, or under any road; and
(b)
for any of those purposes, open or break up any road, and alter the position of any pipe (not being a main) for the supply of water or gas; and
(c)
alter, repair, or remove those lines or wireless works or any part of those lines or wireless works.
(2)
A network operator must exercise the powers contained in subsection (1) in accordance with any reasonable conditions that the local authority or other person who has jurisdiction over that road requires.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 15
Section 135 heading: amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 135(1)(a): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 135(1)(c): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
136 Notice requirement
(1)
Except as provided in section 139, before a network operator proceeds to open or break up any road, the network operator must give notice of the intention to carry out the work to—
(a)
the local authority or other person who has jurisdiction over the road; and
(b)
any utility operator (as defined in section 4 of the Utilities Access Act 2010) whose pipes, lines, or other structures will or are likely to be affected by the work.
(2)
Every notice must specify the location of the proposed work, the nature of the work to be carried out, and the reasons for it.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 15A(1), (2)
Section 136(1): substituted, on 6 August 2010, by section 6 of the Infrastructure (Amendments Relating to Utilities Access) Act 2010 (2010 No 99).
137 Network operator to be notified of conditions
Not later than 15 working days after the receipt of the written notice of the intention to carry out work, the local authority or other person who has jurisdiction over the road must notify the network operator in writing of any conditions imposed under section 135(2).
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 15A(3)
Section 137: amended, on 6 August 2010, by section 7 of the Infrastructure (Amendments Relating to Utilities Access) Act 2010 (2010 No 99).
138 Failure to notify conditions
If a local authority or other person who has jurisdiction over the road fails to notify the network operator of the conditions imposed under section 135(2) within the 15-working day period referred to in section 137, those conditions may not be imposed, and the network operator may commence work.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 15A(4)
Section 138: amended, on 6 August 2010, by section 8 of the Infrastructure (Amendments Relating to Utilities Access) Act 2010 (2010 No 99).
139 Urgency
If work is urgent and necessary because of any defective equipment, or other emergency, the network operator—
(a)
is excused from complying with the requirements of section 136(1) before commencing the work; but
(b)
must give the information required by section 136(2) as soon as practicable after commencing the work.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 15A(5)
140 Offence to not comply with any of sections 135, 136, and 139
(1)
A network operator who fails to comply with any of sections 135, 136, and 139 commits an offence.
(2)
A network operator who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.
(3)
In addition to any fine imposed under subsection (2), a court may make any order relating to compensation that it thinks fit.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 15B
Section 140(2): amended, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).
141 Appeals by network operators to District Court
(1)
A network operator may appeal to the District Court against all or any of the conditions imposed under section 135(2) by the local authority or other person who has jurisdiction over the road.
(2)
An appeal must be made not later than 45 working days after the date of notification of the conditions imposed or within any further time that the District Court may allow.
(3)
In its determination of any appeal, the District Court may confirm, modify, or cancel any or all of the conditions imposed.
(4)
The decision of the District Court in the determination of an appeal under this section is final.
Compare: 1987 No 116 ss 15C, 15D
Section 141(1): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
Section 141(3): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
Section 141(4): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
Telephone cabinets, etc, on roads
142 Construction, etc, of telephone cabinets or other similar appliances
(1)
Subject to subsection (2), a network operator may construct, place, and maintain public telephone cabinets, distribution cabinets, or any other similar appliances on a road.
(2)
A network operator must—
(a)
give notice of its intention to place a cabinet or other appliance on the road to—
(i)
the local authority or other person who has jurisdiction over the road; and
(ii)
any utility operator (as defined in section 4 of the Utilities Access Act 2010) whose pipes, lines, or other structures will or are likely to be affected by the work; and
(b)
comply with any reasonable conditions that are imposed by the local authority or other person who has jurisdiction over that road on which the cabinet or appliance is to be placed; and
(c)
not intentionally place the cabinet or appliance on the road so that it interferes with the ordinary traffic.
(3)
Every notice under subsection (2)(a) must specify where the cabinet or appliance is to be placed on the road and the reasons for it.
Section 142(2)(a): substituted, on 6 August 2010, by section 9 of the Infrastructure (Amendments Relating to Utilities Access) Act 2010 (2010 No 99).
143 Network operator to be notified of conditions
Not later than 15 working days after the receipt of the written notice of the network operator’s intention to place a cabinet or appliance on a road under section 142, the local authority or other person who has jurisdiction over that road must notify the network operator in writing of any conditions imposed under section 142(2)(b).
Section 143: amended, on 6 August 2010, by section 10 of the Infrastructure (Amendments Relating to Utilities Access) Act 2010 (2010 No 99).
144 Failure to notify conditions
If a local authority or other person who has jurisdiction over a road fails to notify the network operator of the conditions imposed under section 142(2)(b) within the 15-working day period referred to in section 143, those conditions may not be imposed and the network operator may commence work.
Section 144: amended, on 6 August 2010, by section 11 of the Infrastructure (Amendments Relating to Utilities Access) Act 2010 (2010 No 99).
145 Urgency
If the telephone cabinet or appliance must be placed on a road urgently and it is necessary because of any defective equipment or other emergency, the network operator—
(a)
is excused from complying with the requirements of section 142(3) before commencing the work; but
(b)
must give the information required by section 142(3) as soon as practicable after placing the telephone cabinet or appliance on that road.
146 Offence not to comply with section 142 or section 145
(1)
A network operator who fails to comply with section 142 or section 145 commits an offence.
(2)
A network operator who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.
(3)
In addition to any fine imposed under subsection (2), a court may make any order relating to compensation that it thinks fit.
Section 146(2): amended, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).
147 Appeals by network operators to District Court
(1)
A network operator may appeal to the District Court against all or any of the conditions imposed under section 142(2)(b) by the local authority or other person who has jurisdiction over the road.
(2)
An appeal must be made not later than 45 working days after the date of notification of the conditions imposed or within any further time that the District Court may allow.
(3)
In its determination of any appeal, the District Court may confirm, modify, or cancel any or all of the conditions imposed.
(4)
The decision of the District Court in the determination of an appeal under this section is final.
Section 147(1): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
Section 147(3): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
Section 147(4): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
Local authority, etc, requiring work to be done
Heading: inserted, on 6 August 2010, by section 12 of the Infrastructure (Amendments Relating to Utilities Access) Act 2010 (2010 No 99).
147A Local authority, etc, may require lines, etc, to be moved
(1)
Where a network operator owns lines, cabinets, wireless works, or other similar appliances that are on a road, the local authority or other person having jurisdiction over the road may, by notice in writing, require the network operator to raise, lower, or otherwise alter the position of the lines, cabinets, wireless works, or other similar appliances.
(2)
If the network operator refuses or fails, within a reasonable period, to do the work required, the person requiring the work may do the work or have it done by some other person.
(3)
Before doing work as permitted by subsection (2), the person requiring the work must give notice to the network operator at least 15 working days before the work commences.
Compare: 1992 No 122 s 32; 1992 No 124 s 33
Section 147A: inserted, on 6 August 2010, by section 12 of the Infrastructure (Amendments Relating to Utilities Access) Act 2010 (2010 No 99).
Section 147A(1): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
147B Cost of work required under section 147A
(1)
The reasonable cost of all work required to be done under section 147A must be paid by the person that requires the work to be done.
(2)
However, the cost of the work must be paid by the network operator if the reason that the work is required is that the lines, cabinets, wireless works, or other appliances—
(a)
were constructed contrary to any of the following:
(i)
this Act or any regulations made under section 157:
(ii)
the Telecommunications (Residual Provisions) Act 1987:
(iii)
the Local Government Act 1974 or the Local Government Act 2002, and any predecessor of those Acts:
(iv)
(v)
any local or private Act:
(vi)
any regulations made under any of the enactments referred to in subparagraphs (ii) to (v); or
(b)
are in a dangerous or unsafe condition.
(3)
A person that requires work to be done under section 147A may not claim for betterment in respect of that work, and no claim for betterment may be made against the person.
(4)
The following provisions apply if the person requiring the work is the New Zealand Transport Agency or the agent of the Minister of Transport:
(a)
the cost of all lines, cabinets, wireless works, other appliances, and associated equipment that are used in carrying out the required work (other than things used only during the course of construction) must be paid by the network operator:
(b)
if, as a consequence of the requirement, the network operator elects to fix or install any lines, cabinets, wireless works, or other appliances over, under, or through any roading structure (being a bridge, underpass, overpass, culvert, or tunnel) that is being, or is to be, constructed or altered, and if the cost of constructing or altering the roading structure is thereby increased, then the network operator must pay the increase in cost:
(c)
if, as a consequence of the requirement, the network operator relocates the lines, cabinets, wireless works, or other similar appliances and reconstructs them to specifications different from those of the original lines, cabinets, wireless works, or other appliances, then, if the costs described in paragraph (d)(i) are less than the costs described in paragraph (d)(ii), the network operator is liable to pay the difference:
(d)
the costs referred to in paragraph (c) are—
(i)
what it would have cost to relocate and reconstruct the lines, cabinets, wireless works, or other similar appliances as near as reasonably practicable to their original specifications (excluding any costs to which paragraph (a) applies), taking into account—
(A)
any restrictions or conditions imposed by or under any enactment in relation to the relocation and reconstruction; and
(B)
the location of the original works and the alternatives reasonably available to the network operator:
(ii)
the actual cost of the relocation and reconstruction (excluding any costs to which paragraph (a) applies).
(5)
Subsections (1) to (4) apply subject to any agreement between the person requiring the work and the network operator.
(6)
The amount of payment required under this section must be determined—
(a)
by agreement between the person liable for the payment and the person to whom it is payable; or
(b)
failing such agreement, by arbitration under the Arbitration Act 1996, with 1 arbitrator to be appointed by each party and an umpire to be appointed by those arbitrators before entering upon their reference.
Compare: 1992 No 122 s 33; 1992 No 124 s 34
Section 147B: inserted, on 6 August 2010, by section 12 of the Infrastructure (Amendments Relating to Utilities Access) Act 2010 (2010 No 99).
Section 147B(2): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 147B(4)(a): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 147B(4)(b): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 147B(4)(c): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 147B(4)(d)(i): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
147C Relationship with section 54 of Government Roading Powers Act 1989
Sections 147A and 147B apply despite anything to the contrary in section 54 of the Government Roading Powers Act 1989.
Compare: 1992 No 122 s 34; 1992 No 124 s 35
Section 147C: inserted, on 6 August 2010, by section 12 of the Infrastructure (Amendments Relating to Utilities Access) Act 2010 (2010 No 99).
Miscellaneous
148 Alteration to line or wireless works on road requested by owner
(1)
If an owner of land or some other person requires a line, wireless works, or other works on a road to be altered so that the owner or other person has access to, or reasonable use of, the land, the network operator may require the person who makes the request to pay the cost of the alteration.
(2)
A network operator is not entitled to be paid the cost of any improvement to a line that is, or wireless works or other works that are, required to be altered by an owner of land or some other person under subsection (1).
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 16
Section 148 heading: amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 148(1): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 148(2): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
149 Lines must not interfere with public traffic
(1)
A network operator must not intentionally place the wires of a line so that they interfere with the lawful traffic on a road.
(2)
However, wires of a line do not interfere with the lawful traffic on the road if the wires are placed at a height of 5.5 metres or more above the surface of the road where the wires cross a public road, or at a height of 4.25 metres or more elsewhere.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 17(1)
150 Lines over navigable waters
A network operator must not intentionally place a line so that it interferes with the navigation of navigable waters.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 17(2)
151 Network operator must avoid interference with traffic
A network operator, in maintaining, repairing, altering, or removing a line that crosses or is along a road, or that is over or under navigable waters, must not cause unnecessary or avoidable interference to the traffic on, or to the lawful use of, any road or navigable waters.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 17(3)
152 Offence to contravene any of sections 149 to 151
(1)
A network operator who contravenes any of sections 149 to 151 commits an offence.
(2)
A network operator who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.
(3)
In addition to any fine imposed under subsection (2), a court may make any order relating to compensation that it thinks fit.
Section 152(2): amended, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).
153 Charging for access to road reserve
(1)
Despite anything in this Act or in any other enactment, no local authority or other person who has jurisdiction over any road may require the payment, by or on behalf of a network operator, of any amount of or in the nature of rent in respect of any line, wireless works, or other works constructed in, on, along, over, across, or under that road.
(2)
Nothing in subsection (1) applies in respect of any rate or charge levied under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.
Section 153(1): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 153(2): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 41(2) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
154 Compensation
(1)
Every person whose property is damaged as a result of the exercise of any of the powers under this subpart is entitled to compensation.
(2)
The amount of the compensation may be agreed between the network operator and the person concerned or, failing agreement, be determined in the manner provided for by the Public Works Act 1981.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 19
155 Protection of existing works
(1)
Any existing works or existing lines owned by a network operator that are fixed to, or installed over or under, land that is not owned by the network operator are deemed to be lawfully fixed or installed, and continue to be lawfully fixed or installed, until the network operator otherwise decides.
(2)
No person other than the network operator has an interest in any of those works or lines by reason only of having an interest in the land.
Compare: 1987 No 116 s 20
Subpart 3—Access to property, involving rights of multiple parties, to deploy fibre optic media and other technology
Subpart 3: replaced, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Preliminary
Heading: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155A Purpose
The purpose of this subpart is to enable more people and businesses to obtain the benefits of fibre-to-the-premises and other technology, within a shorter time frame, by—
(a)
recognising that, when more than 1 person’s consent is required for an FTTP service provider or a network operator to access a property because each of those persons has some form of legal right in respect of that property, and there are difficulties in obtaining those consents, the process of installing infrastructure (such as fibre optic media) is delayed and opportunities to realise the benefits of that technology are missed; and
(b)
providing for a tiered system of statutory rights of access—
(i)
that FTTP service providers and network operators may use to access property and carry out installations in those situations; and
(ii)
that imposes different requirements for different methods of installation in order to ensure that the requirements are appropriate to the methods and their impact on the property; and
(c)
providing for a scheme for efficiently and effectively resolving disputes that may arise about rights and obligations under this subpart.
Section 155A: replaced, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155B Overview
(1)
This subpart—
(a)
provides statutory rights of access that FTTP service providers and network operators may use to access private property that is subject to legal rights of multiple persons in order to install, maintain, repair, and upgrade fibre optic media in circumstances where, but for those rights, the service providers or network operators would need to obtain the consent of more than 1 person (an affected person) to enter the property and carry out that work (for example, where a driveway is shared by several neighbours, or where a building is a company share property or part of a unit title development); and
(b)
enables the statutory rights of access to be applied to service providers and network operators in order to install, maintain, repair, or upgrade prescribed other technology (see sections 155E and 155ZO(1)(b)); and
(c)
sets out general preconditions for the statutory rights of access to apply, including that the installation does not involve affected persons paying for any costs of the installation (see section 155J); and
(d)
sets out particular preconditions that an FTTP service provider or a network operator must satisfy before exercising the statutory rights, and provides that those preconditions—
(i)
depend on whether the method that the service provider or network operator intends to use for installing the fibre optic media or prescribed other technology is prescribed as a category 1 installation or category 2 installation:
(ii)
require the service provider or network operator to give every affected person, and the person who placed the order with a retail provider for the FTTP service to be installed, a preliminary notice of its intention to enter property and carry out a category 1 installation, but do not require it to obtain the consent of any of those persons (see section 155K):
(iii)
require the service provider or network operator to give every affected person, and the person who placed the order for the FTTP service to be installed, a preliminary notice of its intention to enter a property and carry out a category 2 installation and, unless any affected person objects within the time allowed, deem each affected person to have consented to the entry and installation (see sections 155L to 155P):
(iv)
in the case of a body corporate administered property, require the service provider or network operator to satisfy the preconditions for a category 2 installation, regardless of whether the installation is a category 1 or a category 2 installation (see sections 155Q to 155X); and
(e)
provides for the grounds on which an affected person may object to a category 2 installation and, for body corporate administered properties, also provides additional grounds for objection (see sections 155N and 155T); and
(f)
in the case of a body corporate administered property,—
(i)
provides a separate statutory right of access for FTTP service providers and network operators to enter the property in order to design installations (see section 155Q); and
(ii)
requires the body corporate to give to all owners of flats and units forming part of the property the body corporate’s reasons for objecting to an installation (see section 155W); and
(g)
provides for how FTTP service providers and network operators must exercise their statutory rights of access (see sections 155Z to 155ZB); and
(h)
for non-prescribed methods of installation, confirms that the rights that an FTTP service provider or a network operator has to enter property and carry out work for the purposes of the installation are the rights (if any) that it has under the general law and any relevant enactments (see section 155ZC); and
(i)
provides for statutory rights of access for FTTP service providers and network operators to re-enter property for the purpose of inspecting, maintaining, repairing, or upgrading all or part of a fibre-to-the premises access network if certain preconditions are met (see sections 155ZD and 155ZE); and
(j)
provides for a dispute resolution scheme to be established for resolving disputes relating to the statutory rights of access given by this subpart (see sections 155ZG to 155ZN and Schedule 3C); and
(k)
provides for methods of installation to be prescribed as category 1 or category 2 installations for the purposes of the subpart, depending on the impact that the method of installation may have on the property, and for other matters to be prescribed by regulations for the purposes specified in section 155ZO; and
(l)
grants the body corporate of a unit title development an exemption from the duty to maintain fibre networks installed as part of the UFB initiative (which would otherwise arise under the Unit Titles Act 2010) (see section 155ZP).
(2)
This section is a guide only to the general scheme and effect of this subpart.
Section 155B: replaced, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Statutory right of access to multi-unit complexes[Repealed]
Heading: repealed, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155C Status of examples
(1)
An example used in this subpart is only illustrative of the provision to which it relates. It does not limit the provision.
(2)
If an example and the provision to which it relates are inconsistent, the provision prevails.
Section 155C: replaced, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155D Interpretation
(1)
In this subpart, unless the context otherwise requires,—
affected person, in relation to property and a category 1 or category 2 installation,—
(a)
means a person whose consent an FTTP service provider or a network operator would, but for this subpart, have to obtain before entering the property or carrying out the installation; and
(b)
does not include the person who placed the order with a retail provider for the FTTP service to be installed
Example
A flat-owning company owns a property comprising a block of 20 flats (and the land on which it is built). It is a company share property.
The flats are situated at the end of a driveway. Three easements over the driveway enable residents of the flats as well as 2 neighbours, each living in a stand-alone house on either side of the driveway, to access their respective properties.
Mark rents one of the flats. He wants an Ultra-fast Broadband connection, so he obtains his landlord’s agreement to place an order for an FTTP service to be installed to the flat. Mark, acting as agent for the landlord, places the order with a retail provider.
To get fibre optic media from the road through to Mark’s flat, the FTTP service provider has to use a method of installation that depends on the service provider being able to carry out work on the driveway.
The body corporate and the neighbours on either side of the driveway are the only affected persons in relation to the installation. This is because they are the persons whose consent to the entry and installation would be required at law,—
in the case of the body corporate, as the owner of the property in which the installation is to be carried out and also as a person with rights under an easement over the driveway:
in the case of each of the 2 neighbours, as persons with rights under their easements over the driveway.
Mark’s landlord, on whose behalf Mark is acting when he places the order for an FTTP service, is not an affected person because of the exclusion in paragraph (b). (However, this subpart does expressly provide certain rights for the person with a legal interest in the shared property who has placed the order for the FTTP service to be installed, for example, rights to receive certain notices.)
Mark is not an affected person because he does not have any legal interest in the flat and is therefore not a person whose consent the FTTP service provider would have been required to obtain were it not for this subpart.
body corporate administered property means—
(a)
a company share property:
(b)
a unit title development:
(c)
real property owned under another legal structure (if any) that—
(i)
comprises 2 or more distinct units (for example, within a building) or a group of buildings used communally; and
(ii)
is administered by a body corporate
category 1 installation means a method of installation prescribed as a category 1 installation
category 2 installation means a method of installation prescribed as a category 2 installation
company share property means a building (including the land on which it is sited) owned by a flat or office owning company (within the meaning of Part 7A of the Land Transfer Act 1952) that issues licences to shareholders to occupy or use specified residential flats or offices forming part of the building
dispute resolution scheme has the same meaning as in section 155ZG
fibre-to-the-premises access network has the same meaning as in section 156AB
FTTP service means a telecommunications service delivered over fibre optic media to an end-user’s premises
FTTP service provider means the owner or operator of a fibre-to-the-premises access network
installing and carrying out an installation, in relation to fibre optic media or other prescribed technology, includes maintaining, repairing, and upgrading that media or technology
maintaining, repairing, or upgrading has the same meaning as in section 155ZD(5)
maintenance has the same meaning as in section 117
non-prescribed installation means a method of installation that is not prescribed as a category 1 or a category 2 installation
prescribed means prescribed by regulations made under section 155ZO or clause 16 of Schedule 3C
prescribed other technology means technology prescribed under section 155ZO(1)(b)
property means real property in respect of which more than 1 person has a legal right
unit owner includes a person who is a shareholder in a flat or office owning company (within the meaning of Part 7A of the Land Transfer Act 1952) and who has a licence to occupy or use a specified residential flat or office forming part of a building under a licence from the company
unit title development has the same meaning as in section 5(1) of the Unit Titles Act 2010.
(2)
In this subpart, unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to a person who places an order for an FTTP service to be installed is a reference to the owner of the property (or, in the case of a body corporate administered property, the unit owner) to which the order relates, regardless of whether the owner places the order himself or herself or authorises another person (for example, a tenant) to place the order as agent on the owner’s behalf.
Section 155D: replaced, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 155D(1) UFB initiative: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 39(7) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
155E References to fibre optic media, etc, include other prescribed technology
In this subpart, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires,—
(a)
a reference to an installation of fibre optic media or an FTTP service includes a reference to the installation of a prescribed other technology or a service involving the installation of a prescribed other technology; and
(b)
a reference to a fibre-to-the-premises access network includes a reference to a network—
(i)
that comprises prescribed other technology; or
(ii)
of which prescribed other technology forms a part.
Section 155E: replaced, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Process[Repealed]
Heading: repealed, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155F Relationship with other statutory rights of access
This subpart does not limit the statutory rights of access for existing works provided for in sections 120 to 127.
Section 155F: replaced, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155G Notices under this subpart
A notice required to be given to a person under this subpart must, unless otherwise stated,—
(a)
be in writing; and
(b)
be given in the prescribed manner.
Section 155G: replaced, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Nature and application of statutory rights of access under subpart
Heading: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155H How long statutory rights of access apply for
The statutory rights of access given by this subpart apply,—
(a)
in relation to FTTP service providers and network operators installing fibre optic media, for the period that—
(i)
starts on the day after Royal assent of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025; and
(ii)
ends on the day that is the third anniversary of Royal assent of that Act; and
(b)
in relation to FTTP service providers and network operators exercising certain ongoing rights of access to installed fibre optic media, for the periods specified in section 155ZD; and
(c)
in relation to network operators and installations of prescribed other technology, for the prescribed period.
Section 155H: replaced, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 155H(a): replaced, on 30 March 2025, by section 177 of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 11).
155I Nature of statutory rights of access
(1)
The statutory rights of access given by this subpart are that an FTTP service provider or a network operator may, for the purpose of carrying out a category 1 or category 2 installation of fibre optic media as part of a fibre-to-the-premises access network,—
(a)
enter property at reasonable times, and may enter the property with a person who is, or thing that is, reasonably necessary for the purposes of carrying out the installation; and
(b)
perform work that is reasonably necessary for the purposes of that installation.
(2)
The statutory rights of access referred to in subsection (1) apply only if—
(a)
the general preconditions stated in section 155J are satisfied (regardless of whether the installation is a category 1 or a category 2 installation); and
(b)
the FTTP service provider or network operator has complied with the particular preconditions,—
(i)
for a category 1 installation, stated in section 155K:
(ii)
for a category 2 installation, stated in section 155L:
(iii)
for an installation in a body corporate administered property (regardless of whether the installation is a category 1 or a category 2 installation), stated in section 155R.
(3)
If an installation is in a property other than a body corporate administered property and involves both category 1 and category 2 methods of installation, the whole installation must be treated as a category 2 installation and (in addition to complying with the general preconditions stated in section 155J) must comply with the particular preconditions stated in section 155L.
(4)
If an installation involves more than 1 method of installation and all methods are prescribed as category 1 methods, the FTTP service provider or network operator must treat the whole installation as a category 1 installation.
(5)
If an installation involves more than 1 method of installation and all methods are prescribed as category 2 methods, the FTTP service provider or network operator must treat the whole installation as a category 2 installation.
(6)
A further statutory right of access is given to FTTP service providers and network operators for designing installations in body corporate administered properties (see section 155Q).
Section 155I: replaced, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Code[Repealed]
Heading: repealed, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155J General preconditions for statutory rights of access to apply
(1)
The general preconditions for the statutory rights of access given by this subpart to apply are that—
(a)
a person has, after the commencement of this subpart, placed an order with a retail provider for an FTTP service to be installed; and
(b)
the installation involves 1 or more affected persons; and
(c)
no affected person is liable to pay for the costs of the installation, or part of those costs, without the affected person’s express agreement; and
(d)
the FTTP service provider or network operator carrying out the installation is a member of the dispute resolution scheme.
(2)
In relation to subsection (1)(a), see clauses 2 to 5 of Schedule 1AA, which provide for how FTTP service providers and network operators may treat orders for FTTP services placed before the commencement of this subpart (as replaced by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017), for the purpose of obtaining access to property.
Section 155J: replaced, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Particular preconditions for category 1 and category 2 installations (in properties other than body corporate administered properties)
Heading: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155K Particular preconditions before exercising statutory right of access to carry out category 1 installation
(1)
Before an FTTP service provider or a network operator enters a property and carries out a category 1 installation, the service provider or network operator must first give a preliminary notice to—
(a)
each affected person; and
(b)
the person who placed the order with a retail provider for an FTTP service to be installed.
(2)
The preliminary notice must—
(a)
be given not less than 5 working days before the service provider or network operator enters the property to carry out the installation; and
(b)
state when the service provider or network operator is intending to enter the property and carry out the installation; and
(c)
include a general explanation of what will be involved in carrying out the installation; and
(d)
identify any access areas that the service provider or network operator may want to use when carrying out the installation; and
(e)
comply with the prescribed requirements (if any).
(3)
This section does not apply to a category 1 installation in a body corporate administered property (see sections 155Q and 155R).
Section 155K: replaced, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Consumer complaints system[Repealed]
Heading: repealed, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155L Particular preconditions before exercising statutory right of access to carry out category 2 installation
(1)
Before an FTTP service provider or a network operator enters a property and carries out a category 2 installation under this subpart, the service provider or network operator must—
(a)
first give a preliminary notice and a high-level design plan of the installation that set out the information described in section 155M to—
(i)
each affected person; and
(ii)
the person who placed the order with a retail provider for the FTTP service to be installed; and
(b)
not have received an objection under section 155N from any affected person.
(2)
This section does not apply to a category 2 installation in a body corporate administered property (see section 155R).
Section 155L: replaced, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155M Requirements in respect of preliminary notice and design plan for category 2 installations
(1)
The preliminary notice about a category 2 installation given to each person under section 155L(1)(a) must—
(a)
state when the FTTP service provider or network operator is intending to enter the property and carry out the installation; and
(b)
include a general explanation of what will be involved in carrying out the installation; and
(c)
identify any access areas that the service provider or network operator may want to use when carrying out the installation; and
(d)
set out the grounds on which an affected person may object to the FTTP service provider or network operator entering the property and carrying out the installation under this subpart; and
(e)
state how an affected person may object and the time within which an objection must be made; and
(f)
comply with the prescribed requirements (if any).
(2)
The high-level design plan required under section 155L(1)(a) must describe or illustrate—
(a)
where the installation method (or, if more than 1, where each installation method) is to be used on the property; and
(b)
where the network equipment (if any) associated with that installation method is proposed to be put.
Section 155M: replaced, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Objections to exercise of statutory right of access to carry out category 2 installations
Heading: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155N Grounds and time for objecting to exercise of statutory right of access to carry out category 2 installation
(1)
An affected person may object to the FTTP service provider or network operator exercising a statutory right of access to enter property and carry out a category 2 installation, on 1 or more of the following grounds:
(a)
the person disputes ownership of property that the proposed installation will make use of or disturb:
(b)
the person can demonstrate that the installation will have a materially negative impact on the value of the person’s property:
(c)
the person can identify ways in which the proposed installation will unreasonably impact on the person’s enjoyment of the property, or worsen an existing problem with the property, other than by having a visual impact alone:
(d)
the person can demonstrate that the proposed installation will impede the person’s plans for development of the property:
(e)
the person has an easement over the property affected and can demonstrate that the proposed installation will have an enduring impact on the terms and conditions of that easement:
(f)
the prescribed grounds (if any).
(2)
An affected person who wants to object to a network operator exercising a statutory right of access under this section must do so by giving a notice of objection to the FTTP service provider or network operator within 15 working days after receiving the preliminary notice and high-level design plan for the installation under section 155L(1)(a).
(3)
Nothing in this section, or any other provision of this subpart, affects the right of a person to cancel an order that the person has placed for an FTTP service to be installed.
Section 155N: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155O Effect of objection to exercise of statutory right of access for category 2 installation
(1)
If the FTTP service provider, network operator, or person who placed the order with a retail provider for the FTTP service to be installed (in each case, person A) disputes the validity of an affected person’s objection under section 155N, person A may refer the dispute to the dispute resolution scheme.
(2)
If person A refers the dispute to the dispute resolution scheme, the FTTP service provider or network operator has no statutory right of access to enter the property and carry out the installation unless there is a binding resolution of the dispute under the rules of the scheme or an order of the District Court allows it to exercise that right.
Section 155O: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155P Deemed consent to category 2 installation
Each affected person is deemed to have consented to an FTTP service provider or a network operator entering the property and carrying out a category 2 installation if the preconditions in sections 155J and 155L are satisfied.
Section 155P: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Statutory rights of access to body corporate administered properties
Heading: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155Q Statutory right of access to common areas of body corporate administered properties for designing installations
(1)
The statutory right of access given by this section applies after a person has placed an order with a retail provider for an FTTP service to be installed in a body corporate administered property.
(2)
For the purpose of inspecting the property, to design an installation, an FTTP service provider or a network operator—
(a)
has a statutory right to enter those areas of the property that are owned by the body corporate on behalf of unit owners as common property and that unit owners are able to freely access on a day-to-day basis; and
(b)
may, with the permission of the body corporate (which must not be unreasonably withheld), enter other areas of the property owned by the body corporate on behalf of unit holders as common property.
(3)
Before entering any area of the property that is not common property (for example, a person’s unit in a unit title development or a flat or an office in a building owned by a flat or office owning company within the meaning of Part 7A of the Land Transfer Act 1952), the FTTP service provider or network operator must obtain the permission of the owner or another person who has the legal right to occupy or exclusively use that area of the property.
Example
The owner of an apartment on the top floor of a 3-storey apartment building places an order with a retail provider for an FTTP service to be installed. There are 3 external access ways on the building, one running along the back of each floor, and external staircases that link the access ways. Apartment owners can use these access ways and stairs to move between floors. The FTTP service provider wants to find out whether it will be possible to carry out the installation to the apartment using external conduit alone.
The access ways and staircases are owned and held by the body corporate of the building as common property and there are no barriers restricting free access to those parts of the building. The FTTP service provider therefore has a statutory right to enter the property and inspect the external access ways and staircases up to the top floor for the purposes of finding out whether it will be possible to use external conduit and to design a suitable installation.
Section 155Q: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155R Particular preconditions before exercising statutory right of access to body corporate administered property for carrying out category 1 and 2 installations
Before an FTTP service provider or a network operator enters a body corporate administered property and carries out a category 1 or a category 2 installation in reliance on a statutory right of access under this subpart, the service provider or network operator must—
(a)
first give the body corporate a preliminary notice and high-level design plan in accordance with section 155S; and
(b)
not have received an objection under section 155T.
Section 155R: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155S Requirements in respect of preliminary notice and design plan given to body corporate
(1)
The preliminary notice and high-level design plan given to a body corporate about a category 1 or category 2 installation under section 155R must include the information set out in section 155M as if each reference to an affected person were a reference to the body corporate and each reference to a category 2 installation were a reference to a category 1 or category 2 installation.
(2)
However, in complying with section 155M(1)(d), the statement of grounds for objection must include the grounds stated in section 155T as well as those in section 155N.
Section 155S: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155T Grounds and time for body corporate objecting to statutory right of access to carry out category 1 or category 2 installation
The body corporate may object to a category 1 or category 2 installation under section 155R within the same time and on the same grounds as stated in section 155N as well as on 1 or more of the following additional grounds:
(a)
the body corporate considers that the installation will result in unacceptable disruption to the availability of telecommunications services to unit owners during business hours:
(b)
the body corporate considers that there is a real likelihood the installation as designed would breach 1 or more enactments applying to the body corporate and the property (for example, the Building Code, the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014, or the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015):
(c)
the body corporate considers that the proposed installation will prevent it from meeting its existing contractual obligations and the body corporate can provide documentation confirming this:
(d)
any prescribed grounds.
Section 155T: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155U FTTP service provider or network operator may extend time for body corporate objections
(1)
An FTTP service provider or a network operator may, on its own initiative or at the request of the body corporate, extend the time for a body corporate to object to a category 1 or category 2 installation under section 155T.
(2)
If a body corporate wants to request an extension under this section, it must do so by giving a notice to the FTTP service provider or network operator before the end of the 15-working-day period allowed for objecting under section 155T (as set out in section 155N).
(3)
An FTTP service provider or a network operator must not unreasonably withhold permission if it receives a request for an extension under subsection (2).
Section 155U: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155V Effect of body corporate objections
If an FTTP service provider or a network operator disputes the validity of a body corporate’s objection under section 155T,—
(a)
the service provider or network operator may refer the dispute to the dispute resolution scheme; and
(b)
section 155O(2) applies.
Section 155V: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155W Requirement for governing bodies to give unit owners reasons for objections
(1)
A body corporate that objects to an installation under section 155T must notify each unit owner of its reasons for deciding to object.
(2)
The notice must—
(a)
be in writing; and
(b)
be given not later than 10 working days after the body corporate lodges its objection.
Section 155W: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155X Deemed consent of body corporate to category 1 or category 2 installation
The body corporate of a body corporate administered property is deemed to have consented to an FTTP service provider or a network operator entering the property and carrying out a category 1 or category 2 installation if the preconditions in sections 155J and 155R are met.
Section 155X: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Exercising statutory rights of access for category 1 and category 2 installations
Heading: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155Y Application of sections 155Z to 155ZB
Sections 155Z to 155ZB apply to category 1 and category 2 installations, regardless of the type of property accessed or to be accessed.
Section 155Y: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155Z How statutory rights of access must be exercised
(1)
An FTTP service provider or a network operator must comply with the following requirements when exercising its statutory right of access under this subpart to enter property and carry out an installation:
(a)
the owner and the occupier of the property must be given reasonable notice of the service provider’s or network operator’s intention to enter the property to start the installation if,—
(i)
the FTTP service provider or network operator did not, in the preliminary notice given under section 155K, 155L, or 155R, specify a fixed date for entering the property and carrying out the installation; or
(ii)
the FTTP service provider or network operator specified a date in that preliminary notice but that date has changed; and
(b)
from the start to the completion of the installation, entry to the property must be made at reasonable times; and
(c)
entry to the property must be made only by an officer, employee, or agent of the service provider or network operator authorised by it in writing; and
(d)
the person authorised to enter must produce evidence of his or her authority and identity if asked to do so.
(2)
In subsection (1), evidence of authority has the same meaning as in section 118, with any necessary modifications.
Section 155Z: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZA Restrictions on use of access areas during installations, reinstatements, etc
(1)
An FTTP service provider or a network operator using an access area to carry out a category 1 or category 2 installation, or to carry out any of the work specified in subsection (2), may restrict or block other persons from using the access area only for—
(a)
the period or periods of time prescribed (if any); or
(b)
if no period of time is prescribed, the period of time reasonably necessary to complete the installation or work.
(2)
The work referred to in subsection (1) is—
(a)
reinstating property under section 155ZB; or
(b)
performing any act or operation under section 155ZD(1)(a); or
(c)
extending an installation under section 155ZD(1)(b)(i); or
(d)
permanently reinstating an area under section 155ZD(1)(b)(ii).
Section 155ZA: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZB Obligation to reinstate property
An FTTP service provider or a network operator must, as soon as practicable after completing an installation, reinstate the area of the property impacted or disturbed by the installation as closely as reasonably possible to its original condition before the installation.
Section 155ZB: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Non-prescribed installations
Heading: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZC Non-prescribed installations
If an FTTP service provider or a network operator wants to enter property and carry out a non-prescribed installation involving 1 or more affected persons,—
(a)
none of the statutory rights of access under this subpart applies; and
(b)
the service provider or network operator must obtain rights to enter the property and carry out the installation in accordance with the general law and any relevant enactment applying at the time.
Section 155ZC: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Ongoing rights of access to installed fibre infrastructure
Heading: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZD Ongoing rights of access
(1)
The rights of access given by this section are for an FTTP service provider or a network operator to,—
(a)
for an indefinite period, re-enter property to perform any act or operation necessary for the purpose of inspecting, maintaining, repairing, or upgrading all or any part of a fibre-to-the-premises access network that the service provider or network operator owns and that was installed (whether by the service provider or network operator who owns the fibre-to-the-premises network at the time of the re-entry or a previous owner) at any time after 1 July 2012; and
(b)
for the period described in subsection (1A), re-enter property to—
(i)
extend an installation that forms part of a fibre-to-the-premises access network described in paragraph (a) if the extension does not involve a change to the design plan originally provided under this subpart to affected persons and the person who placed the order for the FTTP service to be installed; or
(ii)
permanently reinstate an area where, at the time of installing, maintaining, repairing, or upgrading part of the fibre-to-the-premises access network, the service provider or network operator reinstated the property on an interim basis only, until a permanent reinstatement could be undertaken.
(1A)
For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), the period—
(a)
starts on the day after Royal assent of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025; and
(b)
ends on the day that is the third anniversary of Royal assent of that Act.
(2)
The rights of access apply if—
(a)
the FTTP service provider or network operator who entered the property and carried out the original installation did so after obtaining the consent of more than 1 person, or entered the property under this subpart; and
(b)
the FTTP service provider or network operator complies with the conditions in section 155ZE; and
(c)
neither of the circumstances in subsection (3) applies.
(3)
The rights of access given by this section do not apply if—
(a)
the FTTP service provider or network operator has rights of access equivalent to the rights in subsection (1) under 1 or more easements in respect of the part of the fibre-to-the-premises access network that the service provider wants to access; or
(b)
the part of the fibre-to-the-premises access network that the FTTP service provider or network operator wants to access was installed in breach of legal rights or obligations in that the service provider or network operator that carried out the original installation—
(i)
failed to obtain all necessary consents for the installation; or
(ii)
acted outside the terms of 1 or more consents given by persons in respect of the installation.
(4)
To avoid doubt, this section applies, with all necessary modifications, to a network operator and prescribed other technology that is installed in reliance on the rights of access given by this subpart.
(5)
In this section, maintaining, repairing, or upgrading includes—
(a)
any repairs and any other activities for the purpose of maintaining, or that have the effect of maintaining, part of the fibre-to-the-premises access network; and
(b)
the carrying out of any replacement or upgrade of existing works, as long as the land will not be injuriously affected as a result of the replacement or upgrade.
Compare: 1992 No 122 s 23(3)
Section 155ZD: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 155ZD(1)(a): amended, on 30 March 2025, by section 178(1) of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 11).
Section 155ZD(1)(b): amended, on 30 March 2025, by section 178(2) of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 11).
Section 155ZD(1A): inserted, on 30 March 2025, by section 178(3) of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 11).
155ZE Conditions of ongoing rights
(1)
The rights of access given by section 155ZD are subject to the following conditions:
(a)
entry to the property must be made only by a person who—
(i)
is an officer, employee, or agent of the FTTP service provider or network operator; and
(ii)
is authorised by the service provider or network operator, in writing, to make that entry; and
(b)
the owner and the occupier of the property must be given reasonable notice of the intention to enter the property; and
(c)
entry must be made at reasonable times; and
(d)
the person entering must produce evidence of his or her authority and identity, if asked to do so; and
(e)
the property must be reinstated as provided in section 155ZB.
(2)
The conditions in subsection (1) do not apply if entry on the land is—
(a)
necessary in circumstances of probable danger to life or property; or
(b)
immediately necessary to maintain the continuity or safety of the supply of telecommunications.
Section 155ZE: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Protection of interests in installations
Heading: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZF Protection of interests in installations
(1)
This section applies to a category 1 or category 2 installation that forms part of a fibre-to-the-premises access network, including any work in relation to or in connection with the installation, if—
(a)
it is fixed to, or installed under or over, land that is not owned by the FTTP service provider or network operator; and
(b)
the service provider or network operator carried out the installation after 1 July 2012; and
(c)
the FTTP service provider or network operator entered the property and carried out the installation after obtaining the required consents or entered the property under this subpart; and
(d)
neither of the circumstances described in section 155ZD(3) applied in relation to the installation so as to disentitle the FTTP service provider or network operator from exercising the statutory rights of access.
(2)
If this section applies,—
(a)
the installation and work are deemed to be lawfully fixed or installed and continue to be lawfully fixed or installed until the FTTP service provider or network operator decides otherwise; and
(b)
no person other than the FTTP service provider or network operator has an interest in the installation or work by reason only of having an interest in the land.
Compare: 2001 No 103 s 155
Section 155ZF: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Dispute resolution process
Heading: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZG Dispute resolution scheme
(1)
(2)
The procedures for referring disputes to the dispute resolution scheme are as set out in the rules of the dispute resolution scheme.
Compare: 2010 No 116 s 95
Section 155ZG: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZH FTTP service providers and network operators exercising statutory access rights must be members of dispute resolution scheme
(1)
Every FTTP service provider and network operator that relies on a statutory right of access under this subpart (other than an FTTP service provider or network operator and that is referred to in subsection (2)),—
(a)
in order to install fibre optic media, must be a member of the dispute resolution scheme and must remain a member of the scheme until the day that is the fourth anniversary of Royal assent of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025:
(b)
in order to install a prescribed other technology, must be a member of the dispute resolution scheme for the period that—
(i)
starts on the day after the date on which the order prescribing that technology as other technology for the purposes of this subpart comes into force; and
(ii)
ends on the date that is 10 years later.
(2)
Subsection (1) does not apply to an FTTP service provider or network operator that relies only on the statutory rights of access given to them by this subpart for the purpose of performing acts or operations necessary for the purpose of inspecting, maintaining, repairing, or upgrading a fibre-to-the-premises access network.
(3)
Despite subsection (1), an FTTP service provider or a network operator does not need to be a member of the dispute resolution scheme if the Minister exempts that person by issuing an individual exemption notice in the Gazette that—
(a)
identifies the person that is exempt from the obligation to be a member; and
(b)
gives reasons for the exemption.
(4)
The Minister may grant an individual exemption to a person only if he or she is satisfied that membership of the dispute resolution scheme by the person is not necessary in order to meet the purpose of the dispute resolution scheme (as set out in clause 1 of Schedule 3C) because—
(a)
that person has permanently stopped carrying out installations; and
(b)
all disputes involving that person that have been referred to the scheme (if any) have been dealt with; and
(c)
it is unlikely that other disputes involving that person are yet to be referred to the scheme.
(5)
The Minister may amend or revoke an individual exemption by issuing a notice in the Gazette that identifies the exempt participant and gives reasons for the amendment or revocation, but only if the Minister—
(a)
first notifies the exempt person (where possible) of the proposed amendment or revocation and gives the person a reasonable opportunity to comment on the proposal; and
(b)
is satisfied that the amendment or revocation is necessary or desirable in order to meet the purpose of the dispute resolution scheme.
(6)
The Ministry must ensure that an up-to-date list of all exemptions is available at all reasonable times on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Ministry.
(7)
[Repealed]Compare: 2010 No 116 s 96
Section 155ZH: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 155ZH(1)(a): amended, on 30 March 2025, by section 179 of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 11).
Section 155ZH(7): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
155ZI Disputes may be referred to dispute resolution scheme
(1)
A dispute between the following persons about their rights and obligations under this subpart in relation to an installation may be referred to the dispute resolution scheme by any of the parties to the dispute:
(a)
a dispute between an FTTP service provider or a network operator and—
(i)
a person who places an order with a retail provider for an FTTP service to be installed:
(ii)
the body corporate of a body corporate administered property:
(iii)
an affected person; and
(b)
a dispute between a person who places an order with a retail provider for an FTTP service to be installed and an affected person; and
(c)
a dispute between an FTTP service provider or a network operator and a person affected by a re-entry under section 155ZD(1)(b).
(2)
Subsection (1)(b) does not apply if the person who places the order with the retail provider is a unit owner or person occupying a unit in a body corporate administered property.
(3)
Disputes that may be referred to the dispute resolution scheme include disputes about—
(a)
whether a statutory right of access under this subpart applies for an FTTP service provider or a network operator to enter a property and carry out a proposed installation:
(b)
the validity of a person’s grounds for objecting to an FTTP service provider or a network operator exercising a statutory right of access under this subpart to carry out a category 2 installation (or, in the case of a body corporate administered property, a category 1 or category 2 installation):
(c)
whether an FTTP service provider or a network operator has complied with requirements under this subpart when exercising a statutory right of access (including the requirement to reinstate property when an installation is completed):
(d)
other matters provided for in the rules of the scheme.
Example
This example refers to the situation set out in the example in section 155D(1) concerning the meaning given to the term affected person.
The method that the FTTP service provider has to use in order to get fibre optic media from the road to Mark’s flat via the driveway is prescribed as a category 2 installation. The FTTP service provider therefore gives the flat-owning company and each of the 2 neighbours a notice and high-level design plan that set out the information required under section 155R.
Within 15 working days after receiving the notice, 1 of the neighbours objects, on the grounds that the work involved may worsen a subsidence problem in one corner of that person’s property (section 155N). The body corporate also objects, on the ground that it considers the installation will result in an unacceptable disruption to telephone services, during business hours, for other flat owners (section 155T(a)).
The FTTP service provider is unable to reach an agreed settlement with either the neighbour or the body corporate concerning the validity of their objections and therefore refers each dispute to the dispute resolution scheme. After further unsuccessful attempts to settle each dispute, the FTTP service provider requests that a determination be made on each dispute under the rules of the scheme.
The person determining the disputes concludes that there are no grounds for the body corporate’s objection. This determination is binding on the FTTP service provider as a member of the scheme (section 155ZJ(2)) but not on the body corporate, which can, within 5 working days of being notified of the determination, appeal against it to the District Court (sections 155ZK and 155ZL).
However, the neighbour’s objection is determined to be valid, meaning that the FTTP service provider cannot exercise a statutory right of access to carry out the installation. This is binding on the FTTP service provider and it cannot appeal to the District Court (section 155ZJ(2)).
The owner of Mark’s flat, as the person who placed the order for the installation, does not have a right to refer a dispute to the dispute resolution scheme, either in relation to the body corporate’s objection or in relation to the neighbour’s objection (subsection (2) of this section). Any dispute between the owner of Mark’s flat and the body corporate over the body corporate’s objection to the FTTP service provider entering the block of flats and carrying out the installation would be a matter to be resolved in accordance with the relevant provisions (if any) of the owner’s licence and the rules of the body corporate (or, if the flat is part of a unit title development instead of a company share property, in accordance with the provisions of Part 4 of the Unit Titles Act 2010).
Mark does not have any right to refer a dispute to the dispute resolution scheme under this section either. He is not the person who placed the order for the installation (see section 155D(2)) and he is not an affected person (see section 155D(1)).
Section 155ZI: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZJ Determinations binding on members and certain other parties
(1)
This section applies if a dispute is referred to the dispute resolution scheme and a determination is made on the dispute under the rules of the scheme.
(2)
The determination is binding on each party to the dispute that is a member of the dispute resolution scheme (except to the extent that it may be modified by the District Court under section 155ZM(3)), and the scheme member has no right of appeal against the determination.
(3)
The determination is binding on each party to the dispute who is not a member of the dispute resolution scheme, except if one of those parties lodges an appeal against the determination under section 155ZK and the court modifies or reverses the determination.
Section 155ZJ: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZK Appeals against determinations
(1)
A party to the dispute that is not a member of the scheme may, within the time allowed under section 155ZL(1), appeal to the District Court against a determination.
(2)
The court may confirm, modify, or reverse the decision appealed against.
(3)
The decision of the court on the appeal is binding on all persons named as parties in the determination, and there is no right of appeal against the court’s decision.
Section 155ZK: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZL Procedure on appeal
(1)
An appeal under section 155ZK must be brought and determined in accordance with the rules of court, except that—
(a)
an appeal must be brought within 5 working days after the determination appealed against is notified to the party wanting to lodge the appeal, or any further time the court allows on an application made before or after that period ends; and
(b)
the dispute resolution scheme, as the maker of the determination appealed against, is not entitled to be represented at the hearing of the appeal; and
(c)
the court on appeal may not refer the determination back to the dispute resolution scheme for any purpose.
(2)
The court may hear all evidence provided and representations made by or on behalf of any party to the appeal that the court considers relevant to the appeal, whether or not the evidence would be admissible in a court.
Section 155ZL: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZM Compliance with rules, binding settlements, and determinations
(1)
Members of the dispute resolution scheme and each party to a dispute that is referred to the scheme must comply with the rules of the scheme.
(2)
On the application of the person responsible for the dispute resolution scheme, the District Court may require a member of the dispute resolution scheme or other person who is a party to a dispute to—
(a)
comply with the rules of the scheme:
(b)
comply with the terms of a binding settlement or determination made under the rules of the scheme.
(3)
If the District Court is satisfied that the terms of a binding settlement or determination are manifestly unreasonable, the court’s order under subsection (2)(b) may modify the terms of the binding settlement or determination, but only to the extent that the modification results in a binding settlement or determination that could have been made under the dispute resolution scheme.
(4)
If an order requiring a member to comply with a binding settlement includes a requirement that the member pay an amount of money to a person, that order (or part of the order) may be enforced as if it were a judgment by the District Court for the payment of a sum of money.
(5)
A reference in this section to a member includes a reference to a person who was a member of the dispute resolution scheme at the relevant time but is no longer a member at the time of the application or order.
Compare: 2010 No 116 s 97
Section 155ZM: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZN Levy for regulated dispute resolution scheme
(1)
This section applies if the dispute resolution scheme is the regulated scheme.
(2)
Every FTTP service provider and network operator that relies on a statutory right of access under this subpart (or a prescribed class of those persons) must pay to the Minister in each financial year or part financial year (as the case may require) a prescribed levy.
(3)
Subsection (2) does not apply to an FTTP service provider or network operator that relies on the statutory rights of access given by section 155ZD(1)(b) only).
(4)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations providing for the levy.
(5)
The levy must be prescribed on the basis that the costs of establishing and operating the dispute resolution scheme should be met fully out of the levy.
(6)
The Governor-General, in making regulations under this section, has the same powers as those set out in section 11(3).
(7)
Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 155ZN: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 155ZN(7): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Regulations and exemption
Heading: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZO Regulations
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister in accordance with subsections (2) to (4), make regulations for all or any of the following purposes in respect of this subpart:
(a)
prescribing, for the purposes of section 155G, how notices may or must be given and other matters relating to that procedure (including when the notice is treated as having been received or as having been given for the purposes of this subpart):
(b)
prescribing other technology for the purposes of this subpart:
(c)
prescribing how long statutory rights of access apply for a prescribed other technology for the purposes of section 155H(c):
(d)
prescribing requirements for preliminary notices for the purposes of section 155K(2) or 155M(1):
(e)
prescribing methods of installation as category 1 installations (including requirements applying to those installations) for the purposes of this subpart:
(f)
prescribing methods of installation as category 2 installations (including requirements applying to those installations) for the purposes of this subpart:
(g)
prescribing grounds on which affected persons may object to category 2 installations for the purposes of section 155N:
(h)
prescribing grounds on which the body corporate of a body corporate administered property may object to a category 1 or category 2 installation for the purposes of section 155T:
(i)
prescribing when grounds for objection apply, do not apply, or apply with modifications:
(j)
prescribing periods of time for the purposes of section 155ZA, including—
(i)
different periods of time for each category of installation:
(ii)
different periods of time for each type of work specified in section 155ZA(2) in relation to each category of installation:
(iii)
different times in the day during which any prescribed period of time applies:
(iv)
the number of occasions, during any period of time, that an FTTP service provider may restrict or block other persons from using an access area:
(k)
prescribing fees payable by members of the dispute resolution scheme in respect of any matter relating to disputes under this subpart, or the manner in which such fees may be calculated:
(l)
prescribing how information may or must be given to, provided to, or served on any person under this subpart and other matters relating to that procedure (including when the information is treated as received or as having been given, provided, or served for the purposes of this subpart and the regulations):
(m)
providing for any other matters contemplated for this Act, necessary for its administration, or necessary for giving it full effect.
(2)
Before recommending regulations prescribing other technology under subsection (1)(b), the Minister must—
(a)
consult the persons or organisations that appear to the Minister to be representative of the interests of those persons likely to be substantially affected by the regulations; and
(b)
be satisfied that the technology proposed—
(i)
is to be deployed on a large scale; and
(ii)
will provide benefits to New Zealand; and
(iii)
cannot be installed without the consent of multiple parties first being obtained and this requirement is preventing, or is likely to prevent, the benefits to New Zealand of the technology being realised.
(3)
Before recommending regulations prescribing a method of installation as a category 1 installation under subsection (1)(e), the Minister must be satisfied that the installation will not have any lasting, substantial, physical impact on the property.
(4)
Before recommending regulations prescribing a method of installation as a category 2 installation under subsection (1)(f), the Minister must be satisfied that—
(a)
any disruption that the installation may cause for users of the property will be temporary; and
(b)
any lasting, substantial, physical impact that the installation may have on the property is justifiable in support of the mass market roll-out of a telecommunications network.
Examples of category 1 and category 2 installations
Examples of category 1 installations are—
an installation that uses existing equipment such as ducts or conduit:
an aerial installation:
an installation that only disturbs soft surfaces and where those surfaces can easily be restored.
Examples of category 2 installations are—
micro-trenching where the width of the cut is not more than the prescribed width:
an installation that is predominantly below the surface, such as directional drilling, where the physical impact is limited to access points, or entry and exit points, that do not exceed the prescribed size:
open trenching where the size of the trench, once reinstated, is not more than the prescribed size.
(5)
A failure to comply with this section does not affect the validity of the regulations made.
(6)
Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 155ZO: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 155ZO(6): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
155ZP Exemption from body corporate duties of repair and maintenance
(1)
A body corporate is exempted from any obligation to repair and maintain fibre network equipment installed in its complex if that network was installed as part of the UFB initiative.
(2)
Subsection (1) applies despite—
(a)
section 138 of the Unit Titles Act 2010:
(b)
the terms of any licence, lease, or other instrument that, but for this section, would require a body corporate to repair and maintain that equipment.
Section 155ZP: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZQ Relationship to other enactments
The provisions of this subpart do not affect or limit the scope or application of any other enactment regulating acts or omissions in relation to accessing property and installing fibre optic media or other technology, except to the extent that the enactment is inconsistent with, or modified by, this Act.
Section 155ZQ: inserted, on 9 June 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
156 Notices to be in writing
[Repealed]Section 156: repealed, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Subpart 4—Right of access to use existing electricity works for telecommunications and deploying fibre optic cable
Subpart 4: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZR Purposes
(1)
The overall purpose of this subpart is to make a significant contribution to the work and personal lives of people residing in rural areas of New Zealand, in particular, by enabling existing electricity infrastructure to be used for deploying fibre optic cable and, by that means,—
(a)
accelerate the roll-out of fibre-to-the-premises in those areas; and
(b)
enable access to high-speed communications for businesses, for schools, and for individual purposes, including for accessing health, banking, and other services, and for establishing and maintaining social and support networks.
(2)
To those ends, the other purposes of this subpart are to—
(a)
provide owners of existing works (including power poles, overhead lines, and other infrastructure connected with the generation, conversion, transformation, or conveyance of electricity) with a right to enter rural and other land on which those existing works are situated and use the works for the purposes of deploying, maintaining, and upgrading fibre optic cable for delivering telecommunications services; and
(b)
ensure that the owners of the existing works provide the owners of the land on which those works are situated with direct benefits to offset the impact of the right of entry on the landowner’s own property rights; and
(c)
ensure that owners of existing works and third parties are subject to open access obligations enforceable by the Commission and that owners of existing works may be subject to other regulatory action if they are not exercising their rights under this subpart and are refusing third party requests for arrangements enabling third parties to use those rights for deploying fibre optic cable.
Section 155ZR: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZS Interpretation
In this subpart, unless the context otherwise requires,—
breakout point means a point along a fibre optic cable where provision is made for the installation of 1 or more fibre optic connectors
connection point means the primary residence or any other building that a landowner nominates for a fibre connection under this subpart
existing works—
(a)
has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Electricity Act 1992; and
(b)
includes works comprising fibre optic cable installed on existing works before 1 December 2016 and used or intended to be used in connection with the conveyance of electricity (for example, fibre optic cable installed for the purposes of monitoring and ensuring control of the electricity network)
fibre optic works—
(a)
means fittings, including fibre optic cable and related materials, used or intended to be used in connection with installing, maintaining, or upgrading any part of a fibre-based network for telecommunications that incorporates fibre optic cable deployed on existing works; and
(b)
means the installation, maintenance, or upgrading of any part of a fibre-based network for telecommunications as described in paragraph (a); but
(c)
does not include fibre optic cable that falls within paragraph (b) of the definition of existing works, unless it is repurposed fibre
layer 1 means layer 1 of the OSI Model, which is normally associated with passive fibre optic network infrastructure
layer 1 service means any service that operates at layer 1
layer 2 means layer 2 of the OSI model, which is normally associated with active fibre optic network infrastructure
layer 2 service means any service that operates at layer 2
maintenance means—
(a)
repairs and other activities for the purpose of maintaining, or that have the effect of maintaining, fibre optic works; and
(b)
the carrying out of any replacement or upgrade of fibre optic works
OSI Model means the 7 layer model of network architecture known as the Open Systems Interconnection Model
point of supply has the same meaning as in section 2(3) of the Electricity Act 1992
repurposed fibre means fibre optic cable that falls within paragraph (b) of the definition of existing works but which, in addition to being used for purposes connected with the conveyance of electricity, may also be used for the purposes of exercising the rights under this subpart
service provider has the same meaning as in section 5
third party means—
(a)
a service provider:
(b)
a network operator.
Compare: 1992 No 122 s 23(3)
Section 155ZS: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZT Right for owners of existing works to enter land and carry out fibre optic works
(1)
An owner of existing works may enter land on which the works are situated for the purpose of accessing those works and carrying out fibre optic works.
(2)
The right of entry is subject to the conditions that the owner of the existing works—
(a)
complies with the notice requirements in section 155ZZB(2)(c) to (g); and
(b)
provides the landowner with the capability to connect to a fibre-to-the-premises access network (whether by including, when the fibre optic cable is first being deployed on the existing works, a breakout point in a position that the owner of the existing works considers appropriate, or by any other means suitable for ensuring connectability between the landowner’s property and a network); and
(c)
provides a single fibre connection to the connection point that meets the relevant requirements in section 155ZU.
(3)
The requirements in subsection (2)(b) and (c) do not apply in relation to repurposed fibre.
Section 155ZT: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZU Fibre optic connections that owners of existing works must provide to landowners
Standard connections
(1)
If the distance between the breakout point (or equivalent) and the connection point is 200 metres or less, the owner of the existing works must provide the landowner with a standard connection.
(2)
The owner of the existing works provides a standard connection by aerially installing up to, and including, 200 metres of fibre optic cable between the breakout point (or equivalent) and the connection point, at no cost to the landowner.
Non-standard connections
(3)
If the distance between the breakout point (or equivalent) and the connection point is more than 200 metres, the owner of the existing works must provide the landowner with a non-standard installation.
(4)
The owner of the existing works provides a non-standard installation by—
(a)
aerially installing up to, and including, 200 metres of fibre optic cable along the distance between the breakout point (or equivalent) and the connection point, at no cost to the landowner; and
(b)
contributing 50% of the costs of aerially installing fibre optic cable over the remaining distance, up to, and including, 500 metres, between the 200 metres installed under paragraph (a) and the connection point.
Rights and obligations of owner of existing works and landowner where aerial installation not possible
(5)
Despite subsections (1) to (4), if an aerial installation is not practicable and trenching is required at any point,—
(a)
the landowner must provide, or meet the cost of, that trenching; and
(b)
the obligation of the owner of the existing works is not affected, except to the extent that, in any place where the fibre optic cable cannot be installed aerially, the landowner is responsible for trenching in that place as provided in paragraph (a).
Variations
(6)
Nothing in this section prevents an owner of existing works and a landowner from entering into an agreement to replace or vary the rights and obligations concerning the installation of a fibre connection to a building on the landowner’s property provided for in this section.
(7)
In this section, an equivalent, in relation to a breakout point, means any means by which the owner of the existing works provides the landowner with the capability to connect to a fibre-to-the-premises access network, as referred to in section 155ZT(2)(b), other than by including a break-out point.
Section 155ZU: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Third party use of existing works
Heading: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZV Third party use of existing works for carrying out fibre optic works
(1)
An owner of existing works and a third party may enter into an arrangement for the third party to use the owner’s existing works for carrying out fibre optic works.
(2)
The right under subsection (1) applies only if the owner of the existing works remains responsible to any landowner on whose land the existing works are situated for the performance of all obligations and the discharge of all liabilities under this subpart relating to fibre optic works.
(3)
Subsection (2) is subject to section 155ZZC(3) (as if the reference to subsection (2) in that section were a reference to subsection (2) of this section).
(4)
Nothing in this section or sections 155ZW to 155ZZC affects an arrangement between the owner of existing works and a third party for the third party to use the existing works for the purposes of carrying out fibre optic works if—
(a)
the arrangement is entered into before the date of commencement of this subpart; and
(b)
the third party is not exercising the rights under this subpart.
Section 155ZV: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZW Third party request to use existing works for carrying out fibre optic works
(1)
A third party may request an owner of existing works who is not exercising the rights under this subpart to enter into an arrangement under section 155ZV.
(2)
A request must be made in writing.
(3)
The third party who makes the request must provide to the owner of the existing works any relevant information that the owner considers necessary to properly consider the request.
(4)
However, the third party may choose to withhold any information that the third party considers is commercially sensitive or subject to legal protection and, in that case, must substitute an explanation for the information withheld.
Section 155ZW: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZX Owner of existing works must consider request
(1)
An owner of existing works must consider a request as soon as practicable after receiving it.
(2)
In considering the request, the owner of the existing works must—
(a)
act in good faith; and
(b)
take into account the purposes of this subpart.
Section 155ZX: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZY Requirements on owner of existing works if request refused
If the owner of the existing works refuses the request, the owner must—
(a)
give a notice to the third party that records the refusal; and
(b)
give a copy of the third party’s request and the notice under paragraph (a) to the Commission.
Section 155ZY: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZZ Minister may intervene
(1)
The Minister may require the Commission to report to the Minister about the information received under section 155ZY concerning—
(a)
the requests made to existing works owners by third parties; and
(b)
the requests refused.
(2)
The Minister may, after considering the Commission’s report, decide whether to recommend that regulation be imposed and, if so, the type or types of regulation.
Section 155ZZ: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Arrangements for third party to use existing works
Heading: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZZA Conditions of right under section 155ZV
(1)
For the purpose of ensuring that an arrangement under section 155ZV does not increase the negative impacts for the landowner of having existing works on his or her property, every arrangement entered into under that section is subject to the conditions in subsections (2) and (3).
Condition concerning communications
(2)
The owner of the existing works (and not the third party)—
(a)
is the person responsible for all communications with the landowner concerning the existing works, in so far as the communications involve fibre optic works; and
(b)
is the only person who may conduct those communications, unless—
(i)
the landowner authorises the third party to conduct those communications, either generally or from time to time; or
(ii)
it is necessary for the third party to communicate with the landowner because there are circumstances of probable danger to life or property or it is immediately necessary to maintain the continuity of telecommunications services.
Condition concerning compensation
(3)
The owner of the existing works (and not the third party, except as provided in section 155ZZC(3)) must pay compensation to the landowner for damage, loss, or injury as provided in section 155ZZC.
Section 155ZZA: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Rights and obligations concerning exercise of rights
Heading: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZZB Powers and duties of owners of existing works and landowners
(1)
The provisions of the Electricity Act 1992 specified in subsection (2) apply to the owner of existing works and the owner of the land on which those works are situated—
(a)
as if every reference to existing works in those provisions included fibre optic works; and
(b)
with all other necessary modifications.
(2)
The provisions of the Electricity Act 1992 are—
(a)
section 22 (protection of existing works):
(b)
section 22A (owners of land not responsible for maintenance):
(c)
section 23 (rights of entry in respect of existing works):
(d)
section 23A (line owner must give written notice of intention to maintain or complete existing works):
(e)
section 23B (line owner must give notice of intention to inspect or operate existing works):
(f)
section 23C (notice in emergencies):
(g)
section 23D (land owner may set reasonable conditions on line owner’s entry):
(h)
section 23E (agreements preserved):
(i)
section 23F (disputes about land access).
Section 155ZZB: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZZC Compensation for damage, etc
(1)
Every person who has a right in respect of, or interest in, any land or property that is damaged or injuriously affected by an owner of existing works or a third party exercising any of the statutory rights given by this subpart is entitled to full compensation for all loss, injury, or damage that the person suffers as a result.
(2)
The owner of the existing works is liable to the landowner for payment of the compensation, regardless of whether the owner of the existing works, a third party within the meaning of section 155ZS, or both those persons were responsible for the loss, injury, or damage.
(3)
However, subsection (2) does not prevent an owner of existing works from claiming an indemnity or a contribution from the third party where the owner of the existing works alleges that the third party was wholly or partly responsible.
(4)
If the landowner and the owner of the existing works are unable to reach an agreement concerning compensation for loss, injury, or damage suffered by the landowner,—
(a)
a claim for compensation under this section may be made within the time and in the manner specified in the Public Works Act 1981; and
(b)
the provisions of that Act, as far as they are applicable and with all necessary modifications, apply in relation to claims under this section.
Compare: 1992 No 122 s 57; 2001 No 103 s 154
Section 155ZZC: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Open access obligations
Heading: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZZD Services provided using rights under subpart
(1)
An owner of existing works who provides a telecommunications service, relying on the rights under this subpart, using repurposed fibre optic cable must,—
(a)
where capacity exists, offer a layer 1 service and provide that service on non-discriminatory terms; and
(b)
if the owner of the existing works elects to offer a layer 2 service, provide that service on an open access basis and on non-discriminatory terms.
(2)
An owner of existing works who provides a telecommunications service, relying on the rights under this subpart, using fibre optic cable other than repurposed fibre optic cable must—
(a)
offer a layer 2 service and provide that service on an open access basis and on non-discriminatory terms; and
(b)
if the owner of the existing works elects to provide a layer 1 service, offer that service on an open access basis and on non-discriminatory terms.
(3)
If an owner of existing works enters into an arrangement with a third party under section 155ZV, the third party (and not the owner of the existing works) is under the obligations in this section.
(4)
In this section, non-discrimination, in relation to a service, means that the service provider must not treat access seekers differently or, where the service provider supplies itself with a service, must not treat itself differently from other access seekers, except to the extent that a particular difference in treatment is objectively justifiable and does not harm, and is unlikely to harm, competition in any telecommunications market; and non-discriminatory has a corresponding meaning.
Section 155ZZD: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZZE Power to grant relief in respect of breach of open access obligations
If, on the application of the Commission, it appears to the High Court that an owner of existing works or a third party intends to engage, is engaging, or has engaged in conduct that constitutes, or would constitute, a breach of section 155ZZD, the court may make orders on any terms and conditions that it thinks appropriate, including, without limitation, an order that the existing works owner or third party refrain from, or engage in, a particular conduct.
Section 155ZZE: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZZF Undertaking under Part 4AA overrides open access obligations under subpart
If a person uses the rights under this subpart as part of a build of infrastructure under the UFB initiative, the provisions of the deed of undertaking entered into by that person under Part 4AA override the open access obligations in this subpart.
Section 155ZZF: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZZG Right of entry does not affect existing works owner’s rights and obligations under Electricity Act 1992
The right of entry under section 155ZT does not affect any rights or obligations of the owner of the existing works under the Electricity Act 1992.
Section 155ZZG: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
155ZZH Regulations
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations that—
(a)
prescribe aesthetic standards concerning the way in which fibre optic technology and associated equipment must be installed when exercising the rights under this subpart; and
(b)
prescribe procedural standards for how communications with landowners are undertaken and how persons exercising the rights given by this subpart must act when on private property; and
(c)
prescribe protocols for ensuring the interoperability of equipment installed; and
(d)
prescribe minimum clearance distances for fibre optic works that involve existing works; and
(e)
impose regulation on the rights given by this subpart, in relation to existing works that the owners of those works may confer on third parties under this subpart.
(2)
The Minister must, before recommending the making of regulations under this section,—
(a)
consult the Minister who is responsible for the administration of the Electricity Act 1992, the owners of existing works (or representatives of those persons) and other persons or their representatives who the Minister considers will be substantially affected by the regulations made in accordance with the recommendation; and
(b)
in the case of regulations under subsection (1)(e), consult the Commission after taking the steps in section 155ZZ.
(3)
Failure to comply with subsection (2) does not affect the validity of the regulations.
(4)
Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 155ZZH: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 155ZZH(4): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Part 4AA Services provided using networks developed with Crown funding: Undertakings regime and Commerce Act 1986 authorisations
Part 4AA: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Subpart 1—Preliminary provisions
Subpart 1: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AA Overview
(1)
This Part—
(a)
requires providers of wholesale telecommunications services that are provided using a fibre optic communications network that is constructed, in whole or in part, with Crown investment funding provided as part of the Ultra-fast Broadband Initiative, or that provide access to unbundled elements of such a network, to give enforceable undertakings providing for non-discrimination, equivalence, and other matters in relation to the supply of those services (subpart 2); and
(b)
restricts unbundling of point-to-multipoint layer 1 services before 1 January 2020 in respect of those service providers (section 156AP); and
(c)
requires those service providers to disclose information concerning costs and other matters in accordance with requirements of the Commission (subpart 3); and
(d)
enables providers of wholesale telecommunications services provided using a network that is constructed, in whole or in part, with Crown investment funding as part of the Rural Broadband Initiative to give enforceable undertakings that provide for non-discrimination and other matters in relation to those services (subpart 4); and
(e)
provides certain Commerce Act 1986 authorisations in respect of participation in the Rural Broadband Initiative (subpart 5) and the Ultra-fast Broadband Initiative (subpart 6).
(2)
This section is intended only as a guide to the general scheme and effect of this Part.
Section 156AA: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AB Interpretation
In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,—
access seeker means a person who seeks access to a relevant service
arm’s-length has the meaning set out in section 69D
Crown includes Crown Fibre Holdings Limited
disclose means to supply to the Commission
equivalence, in relation to the supply of a relevant service, means equivalence of supply of the service and access to the service provider’s network so that third-party access seekers are treated in the same way to the service provider’s own business operations, including in relation to pricing, procedures, operational support, supply of information, and other relevant matters
fibre-to-the-premises access network—
(a)
means a network structure used to deliver telecommunications services over fibre media that connects a powered node in a central office location (an exchange or equivalent powered facility) to an end-user’s premises or building, or the optical distribution facility of an end-user’s premises or building; and
(b)
includes the powered node in the central office location; and
(c)
includes that part of the overall telecommunications link that connects to the end-user’s equipment
information includes any statement, certificate, or other information required to be disclosed under this Part
layer 1 service has the same meaning as in the document New Zealand Government Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative Invitation to Participate in Partner Selection Process dated October 2009 (as amended)
LFC or local fibre company means a company through which the investment of the Crown and a UFB partner in relation to a fibre optic communications network is effected, including—
(a)
a company in which the Crown and the UFB partner hold shares; and
(b)
a company in which the Crown holds a financial interest pursuant to the selection of that company as a UFB partner
LFC fibre network means a fibre-to-the-premises access network that is owned or operated by an LFC
non-discrimination, in relation to the supply of a relevant service, means that the service provider must not treat access seekers differently, or, where the service provider supplies itself with a relevant service, must not treat itself differently from other access seekers, except to the extent that a particular difference in treatment is objectively justifiable and does not harm, and is unlikely to harm, competition in any telecommunications market
point-to-multipoint layer 1 service means a layer 1 service provided over a network configuration that enables each fibre to provide multiple end-point connections
prescribed means prescribed by the Commission
relevant service—
(a)
in subparts 2 and 3, means a wholesale telecommunications service that is provided using, or that provides access to unbundled elements of, an LFC fibre network; and
(b)
in subpart 4, means a wholesale telecommunications service that is provided using, or that provides access to, unbundled elements of a network that is constructed with funding provided, in whole or in part, by the Crown as part of the Rural Broadband Initiative; and
(c)
in subpart 7, has the same meaning as in section 156AZE
Rural Broadband Initiative means the programme to develop enhanced broadband infrastructure in non-urban areas of New Zealand with the support of Crown grant funding
service provider means a provider of a relevant service
UFB 2 has the same meaning as in paragraph (b)(i) of the definition of UFB initiative
UFB partner means a successful tenderer in the UFB initiative
undertaking means an undertaking under this Part.
Section 156AB: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156AB relevant service paragraph (b): amended, on 3 May 2017, by section 14(1) of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 156AB relevant service paragraph (c): inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 14(2) of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 156AB UFB 2: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 14(3) of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 156AB UFB initiative: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 39(8) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 2—Undertakings relating to networks developed with Crown funding as part of UFB initiative
Subpart 2: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AC Purposes
The purposes of this subpart are to—
(a)
promote competition in telecommunications markets for the long-term benefit of end-users of telecommunications services in New Zealand; and
(b)
require transparency, non-discrimination, and equivalence of supply in relation to certain telecommunications services; and
(c)
facilitate efficient investment in telecommunications infrastructure and services.
Section 156AC: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Requirements for undertakings
Heading: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AD Main requirements for undertakings
(1)
An LFC must enter into an undertaking in accordance with this subpart.
(2)
The undertaking must—
(a)
be executed by the LFC; and
(b)
provide for the LFC to supply unbundled layer 1 services on all parts of its fibre-to-the-premises access network on and after the specified date; and
(c)
provide for the LFC to—
(i)
achieve non-discrimination in relation to the supply of relevant services; and
(ii)
design and build the LFC fibre network in a way that enables equivalence in relation to the supply of unbundled layer 1 services to be achieved on and after the specified date; and
(iii)
achieve equivalence in relation to the supply of unbundled layer 1 services on and after the specified date; and
(d)
provide for the LFC to deal with the UFB partner on arm’s-length terms (unless the UFB partner and the LFC are not separate entities); and
(e)
provide for the LFC to maximise the use of standard terms for the supply of services through the use of template, or model, agreements; and
(f)
provide for access seekers to have the same access to information from the LFC; and
(g)
specify rules for the treatment of confidential information relating to access seekers; and
(h)
provide for disclosure of relevant information to the Commission, to support the Commission’s assessment of compliance with the undertaking; and
(i)
provide for any other matters required by a determination of the Minister under section 156AE.
(3)
An undertaking may specify a mechanism for resolution, by a suitably qualified and experienced independent person, of any disputes that arise between the LFC and access seekers after the undertaking is approved.
(4)
Subsection (3) does not limit the further matters that may be included in an undertaking.
(5)
However, an undertaking must not—
(a)
provide for rules or obligations in respect of services that are not relevant services (including layer 1 services); or
(b)
specify the price or non-price terms of supply for any telecommunications service.
(6)
In this section,—
specified date means,—
(a)
in relation to UFB 1 LFCs, 1 January 2020, unless paragraph (c) applies; and
(b)
in relation to UFB 2 LFCs, 1 January 2026; and
(c)
in relation to UFB 1 LFCs that win contracts for UFB 2,—
(i)
1 January 2020 for the UFB 1 part of the relevant network; and
(ii)
1 January 2026 for the UFB 2 part of the relevant network
UFB 1 has the same meaning as in paragraph (a) of the definition of UFB initiative.
Section 156AD: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156AD(2)(b): amended, on 3 May 2017, by section 15(1) of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 156AD(2)(c)(ii): amended, on 3 May 2017, by section 15(1) of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 156AD(2)(c)(iii): amended, on 3 May 2017, by section 15(1) of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 156AD(6): inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 15(2) of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 156AD(6) UFB 1: amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 39(9) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156AE Minister may determine further requirements for undertakings
(1)
The Minister may determine further requirements with which an undertaking must comply.
(2)
The further requirements may—
(a)
specify the relevant services, or types of relevant services, to which the requirements in section 156AD apply, and how they are to apply; and
(b)
include further matters that must be addressed in the undertaking, and minimum requirements for the undertaking.
(3)
Any further requirements determined by the Minister under this section do not apply to an undertaking that has already been approved by the Minister.
(4)
A determination under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must: | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| • notify it in the Gazette with a statement of where copies of it are available for inspection and purchase | ||||
| • publish it on the Internet in an electronic form that is publicly accessible (at all reasonable times) | ||||
| • make it available for inspection free of charge at the head office of the Ministry (during office hours) | ||||
| • make it available for sale at a reasonable price | ||||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 156AE: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156AE(4): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
156AF Minister must issue and consult on draft determination
Before making a determination under section 156AE, the Minister must prepare a draft determination and consult on that draft with those persons that the Minister considers have a material interest in the determination.
Section 156AF: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AG Procedural requirements for determination
[Repealed]Section 156AG: repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Process for submission and consideration of undertakings
Heading: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AH LFC must submit undertaking for approval by Minister
An LFC must submit an undertaking for approval by the Minister by sending the undertaking in writing to the Minister.
Section 156AH: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AI Minister may approve or decline undertaking
(1)
The Minister may, by notice in writing to the LFC who submitted the undertaking,—
(a)
approve the undertaking; or
(b)
decline to approve the undertaking.
(2)
The Minister must not approve the undertaking unless the Minister is satisfied that it meets the requirements in section 156AD.
(3)
If the Minister declines to approve the undertaking, the Minister—
(a)
must give reasons for not approving the undertaking; and
(b)
may invite the LFC to submit an amended undertaking for approval by the Minister.
(4)
Subsections (1) and (3) and section 156AH apply to an amended undertaking.
(5)
The Minister must notify his or her approval of an undertaking by notice in the Gazette.
Section 156AI: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Implementation of undertakings
Heading: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AJ Implementation of undertaking
On and from the date that the Minister’s approval of an undertaking is notified in accordance with section 156AI(5), the undertaking takes effect as if it were a deed that is—
(a)
properly executed by, and binding on, the LFC; and
(b)
given in favour of the Crown.
Section 156AJ: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AK LFC must publish undertaking
(1)
As soon as practicable after the Minister’s approval of an undertaking is notified, the LFC must publish the undertaking on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the LFC so that it is publicly accessible at all reasonable times.
(2)
The LFC must make a copy of the undertaking available for inspection free of charge at its registered office.
Section 156AK: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Variation and termination of undertakings
Heading: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AL Variation of undertaking
(1)
The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Commission, approve a variation of an undertaking.
(2)
The Commission must not make a recommendation under subsection (1) unless—
(a)
the LFC who gave the undertaking has submitted a request for the variation to the Commission; and
(b)
the Commission has consulted with interested parties; and
(c)
the Commission is satisfied that the variation would best give effect to the purposes of this subpart.
Section 156AL: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AM Procedure for variation of undertaking
(1)
An LFC may submit a request for a variation of an undertaking under section 156AL by sending the proposed variation in writing to the Commission.
(2)
The Commission must notify the LFC in writing of whether it proposes to recommend that the Minister approve the variation.
(3)
The notice under subsection (2)—
(a)
must set out the reasons for the Commission’s decision; and
(b)
may invite the LFC to submit an amended variation for consideration, if the Commission does not propose to recommend that the Minister approve the variation.
(4)
The Commission must make reasonable efforts to give the notice not later than 30 working days after the Commission receives the request for the variation from the service provider.
(5)
Sections 156AI to 156AK apply, with all necessary modifications, to a variation of an undertaking as if the variation were an undertaking.
Section 156AM: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AN Clarification of undertaking
The Commission may amend an undertaking to clarify it if—
(a)
the Commission, on the application of the LFC who gave the undertaking, considers that the undertaking requires clarification; and
(b)
the clarification is not material.
Section 156AN: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156ANA Amendment or consolidation of undertaking
(1)
The Minister may approve 1 or both of the following:
(a)
an amendment to an undertaking, if the amendment is necessary or desirable for the purpose of making the undertaking consistent with this Act:
(b)
the consolidation of 2 or more undertakings.
(2)
Sections 156AI to 156AK apply, with any necessary modifications, to an amendment or a consolidation as if it were an undertaking.
Section 156ANA: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 22 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156AO Termination of undertaking
(1)
An undertaking may be terminated by mutual agreement between the LFC and the Minister.
(2)
The Minister may request the Commission to recommend whether an undertaking should be terminated under this section.
(3)
The Commission may, in response to a request under subsection (2) or on its own initiative, recommend to the Minister that an undertaking be terminated under this section, if the Commission considers that the termination would best promote the purposes of this subpart.
Section 156AO: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Effect of undertakings in relation to unbundling of certain services
Heading: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AP Commission may not recommend or investigate unbundling of point-to-multipoint layer 1 services
(1)
The Commission must not, before the close of 31 December 2019, provide a final report to the Minister recommending the unbundling of any point-to-multipoint layer 1 service that is provided by an LFC that is subject to a binding undertaking.
(2)
The Commission must not, before the close of 31 December 2018, commence an investigation into the unbundling of any point-to-multipoint layer 1 service provided by an LFC that is subject to a binding undertaking.
(3)
An LFC is subject to a binding undertaking for the purposes of this section if it has entered into an undertaking that has been approved by the Minister under this subpart and that is still in force.
Section 156AP: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Enforcement of undertakings
Heading: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AQ Enforcement and remedies under Part 4A
Sections 156L, 156M, and 156O to 156R apply to an undertaking under this subpart as provided in Part 4A.
Section 156AQ: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AR Power of court to grant relief in respect of undertakings
(1)
If, on the application of the Commission, it appears to the High Court that an LFC intends to engage, or is engaging, or has engaged, in conduct that constitutes, or would constitute, a breach of the terms of an undertaking, the court may make any orders on any terms and conditions that it thinks appropriate, including, without limitation, an order to—
(a)
restrain the LFC from engaging in conduct that constitutes, or would constitute, the breach:
(b)
require the LFC to do a particular act or thing:
(c)
require the LFC to comply with the terms of the undertaking.
(2)
In any proceeding under this section, the Commission, on the order of the court, may obtain discovery and administer interrogatories.
(3)
The court may at any time rescind or vary an order made under this section.
Section 156AR: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AS Interrelationship of remedies
(1)
Nothing in this Part or Part 4A limits or affects any right, duty, liability, or remedy in respect of an undertaking that exists or is available apart from this Part or Part 4A.
(2)
Any right of action or other remedy available under this Part or Part 4A in respect of an undertaking may be taken, proceeded with, or heard in conjunction with any other action or remedy available under this Act or otherwise.
(3)
However, in determining whether to order a person to pay a penalty, compensation, or damages in respect of an undertaking, the court must have regard to—
(a)
whether that person has already been ordered to pay a penalty, compensation, or damages for the same matter; and
(b)
if so, the amount and effect of that first order.
Section 156AS: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Subpart 3—Information disclosure by LFCs with undertakings
[Repealed]Subpart 3: repealed, on 1 January 2022, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156AT Purpose
[Repealed]Section 156AT: repealed, on 1 January 2022, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156AU Commission must require disclosure by LFCs
[Repealed]Section 156AU: repealed, on 1 January 2022, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156AV Further powers of Commission relating to information disclosure
[Repealed]Section 156AV: repealed, on 1 January 2022, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156AW Commission may publish reports, etc, on information collected
[Repealed]Section 156AW: repealed, on 1 January 2022, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 4—Undertakings relating to networks developed with Crown funding as part of Rural Broadband Initiative
Subpart 4: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AX Interpretation of this subpart
In this subpart, unless the context otherwise requires,—
relevant service means a service that is provided using, or that provides access to the unbundled elements of, a network that was constructed with funding provided, in whole or in part, by the Crown as part of the Rural Broadband Initiative
service provider means a provider of a relevant service.
Section 156AX: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AY Requirements for undertakings under this subpart
(1)
A service provider may enter into an undertaking.
(2)
The undertaking must—
(a)
provide for the service provider to achieve non-discrimination in relation to supply of relevant services; and
(b)
provide for the disclosure of relevant information to the Commission, to support the Commission’s assessment of compliance with the undertaking.
(3)
An undertaking may specify a mechanism for resolution, by a suitably qualified and experienced independent person, of any disputes that arise between the service provider and access seekers after the undertaking is approved.
(4)
Subsection (3) does not limit the further matters that may be included in an undertaking.
Section 156AY: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AZ Application of provisions in subpart 1
Sections 156AH to 156AO and 156AQ to 156AS, with all necessary modifications, apply to an undertaking under this subpart as if every reference in those sections to an LFC were a reference to a service provider.
Section 156AZ: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156AZ: amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 23 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 5—Commerce Act 1986 authorisations in respect of Rural Broadband Initiative
[Repealed]Subpart 5: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156AZA Restrictive trade practices authorisations in respect of Telecom and Vodafone participation in Rural Broadband Initiative
[Repealed]Section 156AZA: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 6—Commerce Act 1986 authorisations in respect of Ultra-fast Broadband Initiative
Subpart 6: added, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156AZB Interpretation for this subpart
In this subpart, unless the context otherwise requires,—
fibre optic network assets means ducting, fibre optic cabling, and related electronic equipment, together with other related equipment, that is used in connection with telecommunication over a fibre-based network
Telecom includes Chorus, Spark, and a successor to Chorus or Spark
telecommunications network company means a company that owns or operates a network.
Section 156AZB: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156AZB Telecom: amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 41(3) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156AZC Restrictive trade practices authorisations in respect of participation in Ultra-fast Broadband Initiative
(1)
The following are authorised:
(a)
any contract, arrangement, or understanding between the Crown and Telecom that is necessary to give effect to the selection of Telecom as a UFB partner in a particular region or regions; and
(b)
any contract, arrangement, or understanding that is part of the arrangement with the Crown under the UFB initiative in a particular region or regions, under which Telecom or a UFB partner transfers fibre optic network assets to a local fibre company owned partially by the Crown.
(2)
The authorisations—
(a)
apply to any contract, arrangement, or understanding that is entered into before the date that is 2 years after this section comes into force as if the authorisations were in force at the time of entry; but
(b)
do not apply to any contract, arrangement, or understanding that is entered into more than 2 years after the date on which this section comes into force.
(2A)
Despite subsection (2), the authorisations—
(a)
apply to any contract, arrangement, or understanding that is entered into in respect of UFB 2 before the date that is 2 years after this subsection comes into force, as if the authorisation were in force at the time of the entry; but
(b)
do not apply to any contract arrangement or understanding in respect of UFB 2 that is entered into more than 2 years after the date on which this subsection comes into force.
(3)
The authorisations must be treated as if they were authorisations granted by the Commerce Commission under section 58(1), (2), (5), and (6) of the Commerce Act 1986.
(4)
Sections 65 and 91 to 97 of the Commerce Act 1986 do not apply to the authorisations.
(5)
The effect of the authorisations is the same as that stated in section 58A(1) and (2) of the Commerce Act 1986.
Section 156AZC: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156AZC(2)(a): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 41(4) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 156AZC(2A): inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 16 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 156AZC(2A)(a): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 41(5) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156AZD Business acquisition authorisations in respect of participation in Ultra-fast Broadband Initiative
(1)
The following are authorised:
(a)
any acquisition by a UFB partner or a local fibre company owned partially by the Crown of the fibre optic network assets or undertaking of any telecommunications network company as part of an arrangement with the Crown under the UFB initiative; and
(b)
any acquisition by a UFB partner of the shares of any telecommunications network company (whether on a minority or an equal basis or otherwise) as part of an arrangement with the Crown, or with the Crown and another UFB partner, under the UFB initiative; and
(c)
any acquisition by the Crown of shares in, or assets of, Telecom pursuant to the selection of Telecom as a UFB partner in a particular region or regions.
(2)
The authorisations do not apply to any acquisition that is made more than 2 years after the date on which this section comes into force, except an acquisition under UFB 2.
(2A)
The authorisations—
(a)
apply to any acquisition under UFB 2 that is made before the date that is 2 years after this subsection comes into force, as if the authorisation were in force at the time the acquisition was made; but
(b)
do not apply to any acquisition under UFB 2 that is made more than 2 years after the date on which this subsection comes into force.
(3)
The authorisations must be treated as if they were authorisations granted by the Commerce Commission under section 67(3)(b) of the Commerce Act 1986 on the date on which this section comes into force.
(3A)
However, if the authorisations are for any acquisitions under UFB 2, the authorisations must be treated as if they were authorisations granted by the Commission under section 67(3)(b) of the Commerce Act 1986 on the date on which this subsection comes into force.
(4)
Sections 91 to 97 of the Commerce Act 1986 do not apply to the authorisations.
(5)
The effect of the authorisations is the same as that stated in section 69 of the Commerce Act 1986.
Section 156AZD: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 81 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156AZD(2): amended, on 3 May 2017, by section 17(1) of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 156AZD(2A): inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 17(2) of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Section 156AZD(2A)(a): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 41(6) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 156AZD(3A): inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 17(3) of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Subpart 7—Commerce Act 1986 authorisations in respect of Rural Broadband Initiative 2 and Mobile Black Spot Fund
Subpart 7: inserted, on 18 August 2017, by section 18 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
156AZE Interpretation for this subpart
In this subpart, unless the context otherwise requires,—
MBSF means the Mobile Black Spot Fund announced by the Minister on 12 March 2015
RBI2 means the extension of the Rural Broadband Initiative announced by the Minister on 12 March 2015
relevant service means,—
(a)
in relation to RBI2, a wholesale telecommunications service that is provided using, or that provides access to, infrastructure forming part of a broadband network where infrastructure was constructed with funding provided, in whole or in part, by the Crown as part of RBI2; and
(b)
in relation to MBSF, a wholesale service that is provided using, or that provides access to, a cellular mobile telephone network constructed, in whole or in part, with money provided by the Crown as part of the MBSF
service provider means a provider of a relevant service.
Section 156AZE: inserted, on 18 August 2017, by section 18 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
156AZF Restrictive trade practices authorisations in respect of transactional arrangements for RBI2 and MBSF
(1)
Any contract, arrangement, or understanding between the Crown and 1 or more service providers to provide funding for those service providers, in accordance with RBI2 or the MBSF, is authorised.
(2)
The authorisation applies to any contract, arrangement, or understanding that is entered into before the date on which this section comes into force as if the authorisation were in force at the time that it was entered into.
(3)
The authorisation does not apply to a contract, arrangement, or understanding that is entered into later than 6 months after the date on which this section comes into force.
(4)
The authorisation must be treated as if it were an authorisation granted by the Commission under section 58(1), (2), (5), and (6) of the Commerce Act 1986.
(5)
Sections 65 and 91 to 97 of the Commerce Act 1986 do not apply to the authorisation.
(6)
The effect of the authorisation is the same as the effect stated in section 58A(1) and (2) of the Commerce Act 1986.
Section 156AZF: inserted, on 18 August 2017, by section 18 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Part 4A Enforcement
Part 4A: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Subpart 1—Enforcement of statutory and regulatory provisions
Subpart 1: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Preliminary
Heading: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
156A Application of section 156B
(1)
Section 156B applies to a person who commits any of the following breaches:
(a)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 22A:
(b)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a notice under section 30F requiring a standard terms proposal to be submitted to the Commission:
(c)
knowingly submits a standard terms proposal that fails to comply with section 30G:
(d)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a notice under section 45 or a notice requirement (if any) set out in subpart 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 in respect of the applicable final pricing principle:
(e)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to provide to the Commission not later than the time specified by it—
(i)
the statement referred to in section 45(2)(b)(i):
(ii)
all the information referred to in section 45(2)(b)(ii):
(f)
knowingly provides false or misleading information or documents under section 45 or under the notice requirement (if any) set out in subpart 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 in respect of the applicable final pricing principle:
(fa)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 69F:
(fb)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a notice under section 69H:
(g)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with an information disclosure requirement made under section 156AU:
(h)
[Repealed](i)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to provide to the Commission, not later than the time specified by it, the information or documents referred to in section 81(2):
(ia)
knowingly provides or signs a false or misleading certificate under section 81:
(ib)
knowingly provides false or misleading information or documents under section 81:
(j)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 82:
(ja)
knowingly provides false or misleading information or documents under section 82:
(k)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 83:
(l)
knowingly provides false or misleading information or documents under section 83:
(la)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 94D:
(lb)
knowingly provides false or misleading information or documents under section 94D:
(lba)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 94EA:
(lbb)
knowingly provides false or misleading information under section 94EA:
(lc)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a requirement of the Commission under section 100BA(3):
(ld)
knowingly provides false or misleading information or documents under section 100BA:
(m)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 111A:
(ma)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 156AK:
(n)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any regulations made under section 157(ch) in relation to emergency call services:
(o)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a Commission RSQ code:
(p)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the Commission 111 contact code:
(q)
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the copper withdrawal code.
(2)
Section 156A: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 156A(1)(fa): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 64(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156A(1)(fb): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 64(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156A(1)(g): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 39(10) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 156A(1)(g): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 82(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156A(1)(h): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 156A(1)(i): substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 24(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156A(1)(ia): inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 24(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156A(1)(ib): inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 24(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156A(1)(j): substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 24(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156A(1)(ja): inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 24(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156A(1)(la): inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 24(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156A(1)(lb): inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 24(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156A(1)(lba): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 60 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156A(1)(lbb): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 60 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156A(1)(lc): inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 24(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156A(1)(ld): inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 24(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156A(1)(ma): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 82(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156A(1)(o): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 28 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 156A(1)(p): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 28 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 156A(1)(q): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 28 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 156A(2): added, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 64(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156B Enforcement actions that Commission may take
(1)
The Commission may take 1 of the following actions against a person to whom this section applies:
(a)
serve a civil infringement notice on the person under section 156D; or
(b)
apply to the High Court for an order, under section 156L, requiring the person to pay a pecuniary penalty to the Crown; or
(c)
in relation to a person who commits a breach referred to in section 156A(1)(o), (p), or (q), accept an undertaking under section 156CA.
(1A)
The Commission may, in addition to or instead of taking action under subsection (1), take 1 or both of the following actions against a person who commits a breach referred to in section 156A(1)(o):
(a)
apply to the High Court for an order under section 156MA:
(b)
apply to the High Court for an order under section 156MB.
(1B)
The Commission may, in addition to or instead of taking action under subsection (1), take 1 or both of the following actions against a person who commits a breach referred to in section 156A(1)(q):
(a)
apply to the High Court for an order under section 156MC:
(b)
apply to the High Court for an order under section 156MD.
(2)
This section does not limit any power conferred on the Commission by or under section 15 or any other enactment.
Section 156B: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 156B(1): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 29(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 156B(1)(b): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 29(2) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 156B(1)(c): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 29(3) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 156B(1A): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 29(4) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 156B(1B): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 29(4) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156BA Enforcement actions that end-user may take
(1)
If a person commits a breach referred to in section 156A(1)(q), an end-user (as referred to in clause 1 of Schedule 2A) may take 1 or both of the following actions against the person:
(a)
apply to the High Court for an order under section 156MC:
(b)
apply to the High Court for an order under section 156MD.
(2)
An end-user may take the action referred to in subsection (1) whether or not the Commission has taken action against the person under section 156B in respect of the breach.
Section 156BA: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 30 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156C Matters that Commission must take into account in deciding what enforcement action to take
In making a decision about what action to take under section 156B, the Commission must take into account the following matters:
(a)
the seriousness of the alleged breach:
(b)
the circumstances in which the alleged breach took place:
(c)
whether or not the person who is alleged to have committed the breach has previously committed a breach of that kind or has engaged in any similar conduct:
(d)
the culpability of the person who is alleged to have committed the breach:
(e)
the nature and extent of any commercial gain resulting from the alleged breach:
(f)
the nature and extent of any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of the alleged breach.
Section 156C: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Enforceable undertakings in relation to Commission RSQ code or copper withdrawal code
Heading: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 31 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156CA Commission may accept undertakings
(1)
The Commission may accept a written undertaking given by, or on behalf of, a person in connection with any matter relating to the enforcement of a Commission RSQ code or the copper withdrawal code.
(2)
The person may withdraw or vary the undertaking with the consent of the Commission.
Compare: 1986 No 121 s 46A
Section 156CA: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 31 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156CB Enforcement of undertakings
(1)
If the Commission considers that a person who has given an undertaking under section 156CA has, without reasonable excuse, breached a term of that undertaking, the Commission may apply to the High Court for an order under subsection (2).
(2)
The High Court may make any of the following orders if it is satisfied that the person has, without reasonable excuse, breached a term of the undertaking:
(a)
an order directing the person to comply with the term:
(b)
an order directing the person to pay to the Crown—
(i)
an amount not exceeding the amount of any financial benefit that the person has obtained directly or indirectly and that is reasonably attributable to the breach; or
(ii)
any pecuniary penalty that the court determines to be appropriate (up to the maximum amount specified in section 156L(3)(c)):
(c)
any order that the court thinks appropriate directing the person to compensate any other person who has suffered loss or damage as a result of the breach:
(d)
an order for any consequential relief that the court thinks appropriate.
(3)
Section 156L(4) to (7) applies with any necessary modifications in respect of proceedings under this section.
Compare: 1986 No 121 s 46B
Section 156CB: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 31 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Civil infringement notice
Heading: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
156D Civil infringement notice
(1)
A civil infringement notice must be served within 12 months after the day on which a breach of any of the provisions set out in section 156A is alleged to have been committed.
(2)
A civil infringement notice must be in the prescribed form and must contain the following particulars:
(a)
sufficient details to inform the person issued with the notice of the time, manner, and nature of the alleged breach:
(b)
the amount of the pecuniary penalty prescribed to be paid for the alleged breach:
(c)
the address at which the pecuniary penalty may be paid or an explanation of how payment of the pecuniary penalty is to be made, or both:
(d)
the time within which the pecuniary penalty must be paid:
(e)
a statement of what may happen if the person does not pay the pecuniary penalty by that time:
(f)
a statement of the person’s right to object, under section 156E, to the notice:
(g)
any other prescribed information (if any).
Section 156D: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
156E Objection to civil infringement notice
(1)
A person who has been served with a civil infringement notice may make a written objection to the Commission on either or both of the following grounds:
(a)
that the person has not committed the alleged breach:
(b)
that the amount of the pecuniary penalty specified in the notice is excessive having regard to the nature of the alleged breach.
(2)
An objection must—
(a)
contain the prescribed information; and
(b)
be made within the prescribed time and in the prescribed manner.
Section 156E: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
156F Commission must consider objection
(1)
The Commission must—
(a)
consider every objection made in accordance with section 156E; and
(b)
decide whether to refuse or accept an objection within 10 working days after the date on which the objection is made; and
(c)
promptly give written notice of its decision and the reasons for its decision to the person who made the objection.
(2)
If the Commission refuses the objection, the notice under subsection (1)(c) must also contain the following particulars:
(a)
the address at which the pecuniary penalty may be paid or an explanation of how payment of the pecuniary penalty is to be made, or both:
(b)
a time within which the pecuniary penalty must be paid:
(c)
a statement of what may happen if the person does not pay the pecuniary penalty by that time:
(d)
a statement of the person’s right to appeal, under section 156I, against the Commission’s decision to refuse the objection.
(3)
If the Commission accepts the objection, the notice under subsection (1)(c) must also contain a statement that the civil infringement notice has been withdrawn.
Section 156F: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
156G Effect of withdrawal of civil infringement notice
(1)
A person who has been served with a civil infringement notice is discharged from any liability for a breach specified in the notice if the Commission withdraws the notice—
(a)
on its own initiative; or
(b)
in accordance with section 156F(3).
(2)
The Commission must refund the pecuniary penalty specified in a civil infringement notice if the notice is withdrawn after the penalty was paid.
Section 156G: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
156H Consequence of not paying pecuniary penalty specified in civil infringement notice
(1)
The consequence specified in subsection (2) applies if a person—
(a)
is served with a civil infringement notice; and
(b)
fails to pay the whole, or any part, of the pecuniary penalty on or before the later of the time specified in that notice or in the notice under section 156F(1)(c).
(2)
The consequence is that the Commission may recover from the person, as a debt due to the Commission, in the District Court,—
(a)
the unpaid portion of the pecuniary penalty; and
(b)
the actual and reasonable costs of recovery awarded against the person by that court.
(3)
In any proceedings for the recovery of a debt under this section, the District Court must not enter judgment in favour of the Commission unless it is satisfied that the circumstances referred to in subsection (1) exist.
Section 156H: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 156H(2): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
156I Right to appeal
(1)
A person may appeal to the District Court if the person is dissatisfied with a decision of the Commission to refuse the person’s objection to a civil infringement notice.
(2)
An appeal under subsection (1) must be brought within 20 working days after the date on which the notice under section 156F(1)(c) is given.
(3)
An appeal under subsection (1) does not operate as a stay of the civil infringement notice.
Section 156I: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 156I(1): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
156J Decision on appeal
(1)
The District Court must determine an appeal under section 156I by dismissing or allowing the appeal.
(2)
If the District Court dismisses an appeal, the dismissal must be taken to be an order for the payment of the pecuniary penalty specified in the civil infringement notice to which the decision under appeal relates.
(3)
If the District Court allows an appeal, it may make an order that the pecuniary penalty specified in the civil infringement notice to which the decision under appeal relates—
(a)
is varied or cancelled; or
(b)
is to be refunded to the person, if the appeal is allowed after the penalty was paid to the Commission or was recovered as a debt due to the Commission under section 156H.
Section 156J: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 156J(1): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
156K Commission may publish information about issue of civil infringement notice
(1)
The Commission may, in any manner that it thinks fit, publish a notice that contains information or statements to the following effect:
(a)
a statement that a person has been served with a civil infringement notice under this Act:
(b)
the name of the person concerned:
(c)
the nature of the breach in respect of which the civil infringement notice was issued:
(d)
the amount of the pecuniary penalty prescribed to be paid for the breach:
(e)
any other prescribed information.
(2)
The Commission must not exercise its powers under subsection (1)—
(a)
before the close of the prescribed time for making an objection under section 156E in respect of the relevant civil infringement notice; or
(b)
if an objection is made under section 156E before the close of that prescribed time and the Commission refuses the objection, before the close of the period for bringing an appeal under section 156I in respect of the relevant civil infringement notice; or
(c)
if the Commission withdraws the relevant civil infringement notice under section 156F; or
(d)
if an appeal under section 156I is brought in respect of the relevant civil infringement notice during that appeal period and the District Court allows the appeal by cancelling the pecuniary penalty specified in that notice.
Section 156K: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Pecuniary penalty
Heading: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
156L Pecuniary penalty
(1)
The High Court may order a person to pay to the Crown any pecuniary penalty that the court determines to be appropriate if the High Court is satisfied, on the application of the Commission, that—
(a)
the person has failed, without reasonable excuse, to comply with an undertaking under Part 2A; or
(ab)
the person has failed, without reasonable excuse, to comply with an undertaking under Part 4AA; or
(b)
the person has committed a breach of any of the provisions set out in section 156A.
(2)
In determining an appropriate remedy to be imposed under this section, the High Court must have regard to all relevant matters, including—
(a)
the nature and extent of any commercial gain; and
(b)
if subsection (1)(ab) applies, the size of the service provider.
(3)
The amount of any pecuniary penalty for each act or omission must not exceed—
(a)
$10 million for a breach referred to in subsection (1)(a); and
(ab)
$10 million for a breach referred to in subsection (1)(ab) (Part 4AA undertakings—UFB and RBI); and
(b)
$10 million for a breach referred to in section 69L (failure to comply with or amend sharing arrangements); and
(ba)
$10 million for a breach referred to in section 69T (line of business restrictions); and
(bb)
$10 million for a breach referred to in section 69XG (Chorus undertakings); and
(bc)
$1 million for a breach referred to in section 156A(fa) (obligation in section 69F to notify sharing arrangements); and
(bd)
$1 million for a breach referred to in section 156A(fb) (obligation in section 69H to comply with Commission’s investigation, etc, powers); and
(c)
$300,000 in any other case.
(4)
The standard of proof in proceedings under this section is the standard of proof that applies in civil proceedings.
(5)
Proceedings under this section may be commenced within 3 years after the matter giving rise to the breach was discovered or ought reasonably to have been discovered.
(6)
If conduct by a person constitutes a breach of 2 or more provisions referred to in subsection (1), proceedings may be commenced under this section against that person in relation to the breach of any 1 or more of those provisions.
(7)
However, no person is liable to more than 1 pecuniary penalty under this section for the same conduct.
Section 156L: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 156L(1)(a): amended, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 65(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156L(1)(ab): inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 83(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156L(2): substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 83(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156L(3)(ab): inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 83(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156L(3)(b): substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 65(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156L(3)(ba): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 65(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156L(3)(bb): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 65(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156L(3)(bc): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 65(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156L(3)(bd): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 65(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156M Further penalty may be imposed for continuing breach
(1)
In addition to a pecuniary penalty imposed under section 156L, the High Court may, for a continuing breach of any of the provisions referred to in section 156L(1), impose for each day or part of a day during which the breach continues a further penalty of—
(a)
$500,000 for a breach referred to in section 156L(1)(a); and
(aa)
$500,000 for a breach referred to in section 69L; and
(ab)
$500,000 for a breach referred to in section 69T; and
(ac)
$50,000 for a breach referred to in section 156A(fa) or (fb); and
(b)
[Repealed](c)
$10,000 for any other case.
(2)
To avoid doubt, any further penalty under subsection (1) may be imposed only in respect of the period that—
(a)
begins on the day on which the pecuniary penalty was imposed under section 156L; and
(b)
ends on the day on which the breach is remedied.
Section 156M: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 156M(1)(aa): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 66 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156M(1)(ab): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 66 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156M(1)(ac): inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 66 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156M(1)(b): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Additional remedies in relation to breach of Commission RSQ code
Heading: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 32 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156MA Order to disclose information or publish advertisement
(1)
The High Court may make 1 or both of the following orders if the High Court is satisfied, on the application of the Commission, that a person has committed a breach referred to in section 156A(1)(o):
(a)
an order requiring that person, or any other person involved in the breach, to disclose to the public, or to a particular person or class of persons, the information or class of information that is specified in the order, being information that is in the possession of the person to whom the order is directed or to which that person has access:
(b)
an order requiring that person, or any other person involved in the breach, to publish corrective statements the terms of which are specified in, or are to be determined in accordance with, the order.
(2)
The information must be disclosed or published—
(a)
in the manner and at the times that are specified in the order; and
(b)
at the person’s own expense.
(3)
The High Court may hear and determine an application in conjunction with any other proceedings under this Part.
Compare: 1986 No 121 s 42
Section 156MA: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 32 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156MB Other orders for breach of Commission code
(1)
The High Court may make 1 or more of the following orders if the High Court is satisfied, on the application of the Commission, that a person (person X) has committed a breach referred to in section 156A(1)(o) or (p):
(a)
an order directing person X to refund money or return property to any other person:
(b)
an order directing person X to pay to any other person the amount of any loss or damage caused to that other person by the conduct of person X:
(c)
an order directing person X, at person X’s own expense, to supply a service to any other person:
(d)
an order declaring all or part of a contract made between person X and any other person, or a collateral arrangement relating to such a contract,—
(i)
to be void; and
(ii)
if the court thinks fit, to have been void at all times on and after a date specified in the order, which may be before the date on which the order is made:
(e)
an order in respect of a contract made between person X and any other person, or a collateral arrangement relating to such a contract,—
(i)
varying the contract or the arrangement in the manner specified in the order; and
(ii)
if the court thinks fit, declaring the varied contract or arrangement to have had effect on and after a date specified in the order, which may be before the date on which the order is made.
(2)
The High Court may hear and determine an application under subsection (1) in conjunction with any other proceedings under this Part.
Compare: 1986 No 121 s 43
Section 156MB: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 32 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Additional remedies in relation to breach of copper withdrawal code
Heading: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 32 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156MC Other orders for breach of copper withdrawal code
(1)
The High Court may make 1 or both of the following orders if the High Court is satisfied, on the application of the Commission or an end-user, that a person has committed a breach referred to in section 156A(1)(q):
(a)
an order directing the person to pay to an end-user the amount of any loss or damage caused to the end-user by the conduct of the person:
(b)
an order directing the person, at the person’s own expense, to supply a service to an end-user.
(2)
The High Court may hear and determine an application under subsection (1) in conjunction with any other proceedings under this Part.
(3)
An order under subsection (1)(b) must not be inconsistent with a restriction that applies under subpart 3 of Part 2A.
Compare: 1986 No 121 s 43
Section 156MC: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 32 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
156MD Injunctions for breach of copper withdrawal code
(1)
If the High Court is satisfied, on the application of the Commission or an end-user, that a person has committed a breach referred to in section 156A(1)(q), the court may grant an injunction restraining the person from engaging in conduct that constitutes or would constitute a breach of the copper withdrawal code.
(2)
The High Court may hear and determine an application under subsection (1) in conjunction with any other proceedings under this Part.
(3)
Sections 88 and 88A of the Commerce Act 1986 apply with any necessary modifications in relation to an injunction granted under this section.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 81
Section 156MD: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 32 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 2—Enforcement of determinations, approved codes, and undertakings
Subpart 2: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Subpart 2 heading: amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 84 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156N Interpretation
enforceable matter means any of the following:
(a)
a determination made under section 27:
(b)
a standard terms determination made under section 30M:
(c)
[Repealed](d)
a designated multinetwork service determination made under section 39:
(e)
an undertaking under Part 2A:
(ea)
an undertaking under Part 4AA:
(f)
an approved code under Schedule 2:
(g)
a registered undertaking under Schedule 3A
Section 156N: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 156N enforceable matter paragraph (c): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 156N enforceable matter paragraph (e): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 85(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156N enforceable matter paragraph (ea): inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 85(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156N party: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 85(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156O Complaints of breach of enforceable matter
(1)
(2)
As soon as reasonably practicable after receiving a complaint, the Commission must consider the complaint to decide—
(a)
whether to take no action on the complaint; or
(b)
whether to take either or both of the following actions:
(i)
to amend the enforceable matter for the purpose of making a clarification (if the complaint relates, or appears to relate, to a dispute over the interpretation of the terms or conditions of the enforceable matter and the dispute has not previously been submitted to any dispute resolution procedure that is included in the enforceable matter):
(ii)
to take, or join another party in taking, enforcement action for the enforceable matter in the High Court under section 156P.
(3)
In deciding whether to take the action referred to in subsection (2)(b)(i), the Commission must consult with interested parties.
(4)
In deciding whether to take the action referred to in subsection (2)(b)(ii), the Commission—
(a)
must consider,—
(i)
in the case of a complaint by a person referred to in subsection (1)(a), the purpose set out in section 18; and
(ii)
in the case of a complaint by a party relating to an undertaking under Part 2A, the purpose set out in section 69W; and
(iii)
in the case of a complaint by a party relating to an undertaking under Part 4AA, the purposes set out in section 156AC; and
(b)
may consider the financial means of the complainant.
(5)
For the purposes of subsection (2)(b)(i), section 58 applies to the enforceable matter with any necessary modifications.
(6)
The Commission must promptly give written notice to the complainant of the Commission’s decision on the complaint.
Section 156O: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 156O(1): substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 86(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156O(1)(b): substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 67(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156O(4): substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 86(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156O(4)(a)(ii): substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 67(2) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Section 156O(7): substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 86(3) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156P Enforcement by High Court
(1)
An enforceable matter may be enforced by a party or the Commission, or both, filing it in the prescribed form in the Wellington Registry of the High Court.
(2)
The Commission may,—
(a)
for a breach of a determination made under section 27 or a standard terms determination made under section 30M, enforce the enforceable matter only if it has received a complaint of the breach under section 156O; and
(b)
for a breach of a designated multinetwork service determination, an approved code, a registered undertaking, an undertaking under Part 2A or 4AA, enforce the enforceable matter on its own initiative (whether or not it has received a complaint of the breach under section 156O).
(3)
An enforceable matter filed in the High Court under subsection (1) is enforceable as a judgment of the High Court in its civil jurisdiction.
(4)
An enforceable matter is enforceable in accordance with subsection (3) during the period in which the matter continues in force.
(5)
A party who has filed a determination under subsection (1) must file in the prescribed form in the High Court any clarification of the determination under section 58 or reconsideration of the determination under section 59.
Section 156P: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 156P(2)(b): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 87 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
156Q Remedies for breach of enforceable matter
(1)
This section applies if an enforceable matter is filed in the High Court under section 156P(1).
(2)
On the application of the Commission, the High Court may, in addition to any other remedies available to the court, order any person to pay to the Crown any pecuniary penalty that the court determines to be appropriate if satisfied that—
(a)
the person has committed a breach of the enforceable matter; and
(b)
the amount of any compensatory damages that the court can award against that person for the breach is less than the value of any commercial gain resulting from the breach.
(3)
The standard of proof in any proceedings under this section is the standard of proof that applies in civil proceedings.
(4)
Proceedings under this section may be commenced within 3 years after the matter giving rise to the breach was discovered or ought reasonably to have been discovered.
Section 156Q: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
156R Limit on amount of pecuniary penalty
The amount of any pecuniary penalty imposed under section 156Q(2) must not exceed the value of any commercial gain resulting from the breach of the enforceable matter, less the amount of any compensatory damages that the court decides to award against the person who has committed the breach.
Section 156R: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 54 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Part 5 Miscellaneous
157AA Minister must review regulatory framework
[Repealed]Section 157AA: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
157 Regulations
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations for all or any of the following purposes:
(a)
prescribing matters in respect of which fees are payable under this Act and the amounts of those fees:
(b)
authorising the Commission in its discretion, or on any grounds that may be prescribed, to refund, in whole or in part, any prescribed fee that has been paid under this Act:
(c)
prescribing forms for the purposes of this Act:
(ca)
prescribing the form in which a civil infringement notice must be served under section 156D:
(cb)
prescribing the amount of the pecuniary penalty that must be specified in a civil infringement notice under section 156D(2)(b) (which may not exceed $2,000):
(cc)
prescribing the time within and the manner in which a written objection to a civil infringement notice must be made under section 156E and the information to be included in that written objection:
(cd)
prescribing any other information that a notice published by the Commission under section 156K may contain:
(ce)
prescribing the procedures or minimum standards to be followed by a consumer complaints adjudicator in dealing with complaints under a consumer complaints system:
(cf)
specifying the time frames within which the procedures or minimum standards prescribed under paragraph (ce) must be followed:
(cg)
prescribing requirements and other matters concerning the operation and administration of a consumer complaints system:
(ch)
setting out minimum requirements for emergency call services and specifying which persons are subject to those requirements:
(ci)
prescribing matters for the purposes of the copper withdrawal code:
(d)
providing for any other matters contemplated by this Act, necessary for its administration, or necessary for giving it full effect.
(2)
Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 157(1)(ca): inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 55 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 157(1)(cb): inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 55 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 157(1)(cc): inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 55 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 157(1)(cd): inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 55 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 157(1)(ce): inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 55 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 157(1)(cf): inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 55 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 157(1)(cg): inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 55 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 157(1)(ch): inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 55 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Section 157(1)(ci): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 11 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 157(2): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
158 Enactments amended
[Repealed]Section 158: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
159 Certain provisions in 1987 Act repealed
[Repealed]Section 159: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
160 Transitional provision for declarations made under section 2A of 1987 Act
(1)
Despite the repeal of section 2A of the 1987 Act by section 159, every declaration made under section 2A of the 1987 Act and in force immediately before the commencement of this Act continues in force and has full effect until the declaration is revoked,—
(a)
in the case of a declaration made by Order in Council, by the Governor-General by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister; or
(b)
in the case of a declaration made by the Minister, by the Minister by notice.
(2)
The Minister must make a recommendation under subsection (1)(a) or revoke a declaration under subsection (1)(b) (as the case may be) if the Minister is satisfied that the network operator has ceased to provide—
(a)
facilities for telecommunication (other than facilities used exclusively for broadcasting) between 10 or more other persons that enable at least 10 of those persons to communicate with each other; or
(b)
facilities for broadcasting to 500 or more other persons that enable programmes to be transmitted along a line or lines to each of those persons.
(3)
The following are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements):
(a)
an order under subsection (1)(a):
(b)
a notice under subsection (1)(b).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under subsection (1)(a) | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under subsection (1)(b) | ||||
| Publication | The maker must publish it in the Gazette | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 160(1)(b): amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 160(2)(a): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 39(11) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 160(3): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
161 Transitional provision relating to repeal of section 5C of 1987 Act
[Repealed]Section 161: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Part 6 Fibre fixed line access services
Part 6: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 1—General
Subpart 1: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
162 Purpose
The purpose of this Part is to promote the long-term benefit of end-users in markets for fibre fixed line access services by promoting outcomes that are consistent with outcomes produced in workably competitive markets so that regulated fibre service providers—
(a)
have incentives to innovate and to invest, including in replacement, upgraded, and new assets; and
(b)
have incentives to improve efficiency and supply fibre fixed line access services of a quality that reflects end-user demands; and
(c)
allow end-users to share the benefits of efficiency gains in the supply of fibre fixed line access services, including through lower prices; and
(d)
are limited in their ability to extract excessive profits.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52A
Section 162: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
163 Overview
(1)
In this Part,—
(a)
subpart 1 contains general provisions and defines terms used in this Part:
(b)
subpart 2 sets out the different types of regulation that apply under this Part and provides for the Commission to make determinations specifying how each type of regulation applies to regulated fibre service providers:
(c)
subpart 3 relates to input methodologies and provides for the Commission to determine input methodologies applying to the regulation of fibre fixed line access services:
(d)
subpart 4 relates to information disclosure regulation and provides that certain regulated fibre service providers are required to disclose information in accordance with requirements determined by the Commission:
(e)
subpart 5 relates to price-quality regulation and provides that certain regulated fibre service providers are required to apply the price-quality paths determined by the Commission:
(f)
subpart 6 contains provisions relating to the duration of regulatory periods:
(g)
subpart 7 relates to the Commission carrying out reviews related to the regulatory framework for fibre fixed line access services:
(h)
subpart 8 contains enforcement provisions and miscellaneous provisions relating to the powers of the Commission, incorporation of material by reference, and the disclosure of commercially sensitive information:
(i)
subpart 9 contains appeal rights:
(j)
subpart 10 contains order-making and regulation-making powers related to this Part.
(2)
This section is intended only as a guide to the general scheme and effect of this Part.
Section 163: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
164 Interpretation
(1)
In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,—
anchor service means a fibre fixed line access service declared in regulations made under section 227 to be an anchor service
claw-back has the meaning set out in section 165
contract price, in relation to a service, means the maximum price that may be charged for providing the service in accordance with the contracts between Crown Infrastructure Partners Limited and UFB partners that were entered into as part of the UFB initiative
Crown financing means debt or equity financing provided by, or on behalf of, the Crown to a regulated fibre service provider (or a related party) in connection with the deployment of assets under the UFB initiative
direct fibre access service means a fibre fixed line access service declared in regulations made under section 228 to be a direct fibre access service
first regulatory period has the meaning set out in section 207
information disclosure requirement means a requirement that—
(a)
applies to a regulated fibre service provider who is prescribed in regulations made under section 226 as being subject to information disclosure regulation; and
(b)
is specified in a section 170 determination
input methodology means a description of any methodology, process, rule, or matter that includes any of the matters listed in section 176 and that is published as referred to in section 180
point-to-multipoint layer 1 service has the meaning given in section 156AB
price—
(a)
means 1 or more of individual prices, aggregate prices, or revenues (whether in the form of specific numbers, or in the form of formulas by which specific numbers are derived); and
(b)
includes any related terms of payment
publicly disclose, in relation to information required to be disclosed under information disclosure regulation, means to disclose information to the public in the manner required by a section 170 determination
quality dimensions means measures of the quality of fibre fixed line access services, and may include (without limitation) responsiveness to access seekers and end-users
section 170 determination means a determination made by the Commission under section 170 that sets out how information disclosure regulation or price-quality regulation applies to a regulated fibre service provider
UFB partner has the meaning set out in section 156AB
unbundled fibre service means a point-to-multipoint layer 1 service declared in regulations made under section 229 to be an unbundled fibre service.
(2)
In this Part, the test for related parties is the same as the test in section 69U, applied with any necessary modifications.
Section 164: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 164(1) input methodology: amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
165 Meaning and application of claw-back
(1)
A reference to the Commission applying claw-back is a reference to the Commission doing either of the following:
(a)
requiring a regulated fibre service provider to lower its prices on a temporary basis in order to allow end-users to be compensated for some or all of any over-recovery that occurred under the prices previously charged by the regulated fibre service provider:
(b)
allowing a regulated fibre service provider to recover some or all of any shortfall in its revenues that occurred under the prices previously charged by the regulated fibre service provider.
(2)
If the Commission requires a regulated fibre service provider to lower its prices, it must also require that the lowering of prices must be spread over time in order to minimise undue financial hardship to the regulated fibre service provider.
(3)
If the Commission allows a regulated fibre service provider to recover any shortfall, it must require that any recovery must be spread over time in order to minimise price shocks to end-users.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52D
Section 165: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
166 Matters to be considered by Commission and Minister
(1)
This section applies if the Commission or the Minister is required under this Part to make a recommendation, determination, or decision.
(2)
The Commission or Minister must make the recommendation, determination, or decision that the Commission or Minister considers best gives, or is likely to best give, effect—
(a)
to the purpose in section 162; and
(b)
to the extent that the Commission or Minister considers it relevant, to the promotion of workable competition in telecommunications markets for the long-term benefit of end-users of telecommunications services.
Section 166: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 2—Regulating fibre fixed line access services
Subpart 2: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
167 Regulation of fibre fixed line access services
(1)
Fibre fixed line access services are regulated as provided for by this Part.
(2)
A regulated fibre service provider must comply with—
(a)
the requirements of this Part that apply to the regulated fibre service provider; and
(b)
every section 170 determination that applies to the regulated fibre service provider.
(3)
The following apply in relation to a regulated fibre service provider on and after the date on which the provider is obliged to comply with this Part or (as the case requires) with a section 170 determination:
(a)
sections 212 to 218; and
(b)
sections 88, 88A, and 90 of the Commerce Act 1986 (applied with any necessary modifications).
(4)
The Commission may exercise any of its powers under this Act for the purpose of monitoring compliance by regulated fibre service providers with regulation under this Part.
Compare: 1986 No 5 ss 52F, 54E
Section 167: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
168 Information disclosure regulation
Fibre fixed line access services supplied by a regulated fibre service provider who is prescribed in regulations made under section 226 as being subject to information disclosure regulation are subject to information disclosure regulation under this Part (see subpart 4).
Section 168: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
169 Price-quality regulation
Fibre fixed line access services supplied by a regulated fibre service provider who is prescribed in regulations made under section 226 as being subject to price-quality regulation are subject to price-quality regulation under this Part (see subpart 5).
Section 169: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
170 Determinations by Commission under this section
(1)
The Commission must make determinations under this section specifying how 1 or both of the following apply to regulated fibre service providers:
(a)
information disclosure regulation:
(b)
price-quality regulation.
(2)
Determinations must—
(a)
set out, for each type of regulation, the requirements that apply to each regulated fibre service provider; and
(b)
set out any time frames (including the regulatory periods) that must be complied with or that apply; and
(c)
specify the input methodologies that apply; and
(d)
be consistent with this Part.
(3)
It is not necessary for a single determination to address all matters relating to fibre fixed line access services, or to a regulated fibre service provider, and different parts of any determination may come into effect at different times.
(4)
A determination made under this section may require a regulated fibre service provider to comply with the requirements set out in any other determination that has been made under this section in respect of fibre fixed line access services.
(5)
A determination under this section and an amendment to a determination are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
(6)
The Commission must, as soon as practicable after making a determination under this section, give to each regulated fibre service provider to whom the determination relates notice of the determination and where it is available.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52P
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must: | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| • give public notice in accordance with section 6 | ||||
| • comply with subsection (6) | ||||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 170: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 170(5): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 170(6): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
171 Determinations must reflect actual costs of Crown financing
(1)
This section applies if a section 170 determination sets maximum revenues that may be recovered by, or the maximum price or prices that may be charged by, a regulated fibre service provider.
(2)
The Commission must ensure that the maximum revenues, or the maximum price or prices, reflect, in respect of any Crown financing, the actual financing costs incurred by the provider (or a related party) in the regulatory period to which the determination applies.
Section 171: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
172 When Commission must make initial section 170 determinations
(1)
The Commission must, after the date on which the relevant input methodologies are determined under section 178 but before the implementation date, make determinations under section 170 specifying—
(a)
how price-quality regulation applies to regulated fibre service providers during the first regulatory period; and
(b)
how information disclosure regulation applies to regulated fibre service providers from the start of the first regulatory period.
(2)
A section 170 determination relating to information disclosure regulation may last for more than 1 regulatory period and remains in force until it is revoked.
Section 172: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
173 Amendment of section 170 determination
(1)
A section 170 determination may be amended in a material way only after the Commission has consulted with interested parties, but may be amended in a non-material way without prior consultation.
(2)
As soon as practicable after making an amendment, the Commission must give to each provider to whom the determination relates notice of the amendment and where it is available.
(3)
[Repealed](4)
[Repealed]Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52Q
Section 173: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 173(2): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 173(3): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 173(4): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Subpart 3—Input methodologies
Subpart 3: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Input methodologies
Heading: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
174 Purpose of input methodologies
The purpose of input methodologies is to promote certainty for regulated fibre service providers, access seekers, and end-users in relation to the rules, requirements, and processes applying to the regulation, or proposed regulation, of fibre fixed line access services under this Part.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52R
Section 174: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
175 How input methodologies apply
A relevant input methodology relating to the supply of fibre fixed line access services must be applied—
(a)
by each relevant regulated fibre service provider in accordance with the relevant section 170 determination; and
(b)
by the Commission in recommending, deciding, or determining—
(i)
how regulation under this Part should apply to fibre fixed line access services; or
(ii)
the prices or quality standards applying to fibre fixed line access services.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52S
Section 175: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
176 Matters covered by input methodologies
(1)
The input methodologies relating to fibre fixed line access services must include, to the extent applicable to the type of regulation under consideration,—
(a)
methodologies for evaluating or determining the following matters in respect of the supply of the fibre fixed line access services:
(i)
cost of capital:
(ii)
valuation of assets, including depreciation, and treatment of revaluations:
(iii)
allocation of common costs (for example, between activities, businesses, access seekers, regulated services, or geographic areas):
(iv)
treatment of taxation; and
(b)
quality dimensions; and
(c)
regulatory processes and rules, such as—
(i)
the specification and definition of prices, including identifying any costs that can be passed through to prices (which may not include the legal costs of any appeals against input methodology determinations under this Part); and
(ii)
identifying circumstances in which a price-quality path may be reconsidered within a regulatory period; and
(d)
methodologies for capital expenditure projects, including the following:
(i)
requirements that must be met by the regulated fibre service provider, including the scope and specificity of information required, the extent of independent verification and audit, and the extent of consultation and agreement with other parties (including access seekers or end-users); and
(ii)
the criteria the Commission will use to evaluate capital expenditure proposals; and
(iii)
time frames and processes for evaluating capital expenditure proposals, including what happens if the Commission does not comply with those time frames.
(2)
Every input methodology must, as far as is reasonably practicable,—
(a)
set out the matters listed in subsection (1) in sufficient detail so that each affected regulated fibre service provider is reasonably able to estimate the material effects of the methodology on the provider; and
(b)
set out how the Commission intends to apply the input methodology to fibre fixed line access services; and
(c)
be consistent with the other input methodologies that relate to fibre fixed line access services.
(3)
Any methodologies referred to in subsection (1)(a)(ii) that relate to establishing the initial value of fibre assets (as defined in section 177) must be determined in accordance with section 177.
Compare: 1986 No 5 ss 52T, 54S
Section 176: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
177 Initial value of fibre assets
(1)
The initial value of a fibre asset is calculated by—
(a)
taking the cost—
(i)
incurred by a regulated fibre service provider in constructing or acquiring the fibre asset, net of specified capital contributions; or
(ii)
if the fibre asset was owned by Chorus before 1 December 2011, recorded by Chorus for the fibre asset in its published general purpose financial statements as of 1 December 2011; and
(b)
adjusting that cost for accumulated depreciation and impairment losses (if any) recognised by the regulated fibre service provider (ignoring any accounting adjustment for Crown financing), as at the implementation date, under generally accepted accounting practice in New Zealand.
(2)
Each regulated fibre service provider is treated, as at the implementation date, as owning a fibre asset with an initial value equal to the financial losses, as determined by the Commission, incurred by the provider in providing fibre fixed line access services under the UFB initiative for the period starting on 1 December 2011 and ending on the close of the day immediately before the implementation date.
(3)
In determining the financial losses under subsection (2), the Commission—
(a)
must take into account any accumulated unrecovered returns on investments made by the provider under the UFB initiative; and
(b)
in respect of any Crown financing provided in connection with those investments, must refer to the actual financing costs incurred by the provider (or a related party).
(4)
It is not the intention of subsections (2) and (3) that regulated fibre service providers should be protected from all risk of not fully recovering those financial losses through prices over time.
(5)
To avoid doubt, the initial value of a fibre asset determined under this section includes the costs incurred by the provider in relation to the asset—
(a)
as a direct result of meeting specific requirements of the UFB initiative; and
(b)
for both standard connections and non-standard connections.
(6)
In this section,—
accumulated unrecovered returns means the sum (adjusted to reflect the present value, as calculated in the manner that the Commission thinks fit, at the implementation date) of the unrecovered returns on investments for each financial year, or part financial year, that starts on or after 1 December 2011 and ends before the close of the day immediately before the implementation date
fibre asset means an asset that is—
(a)
constructed or acquired by a regulated fibre service provider; and
(b)
employed in the provision of fibre fixed line access services (whether or not the asset is also employed in the provision of other services)
specified capital contribution—
(a)
means a capital contribution received by a regulated fibre service provider from 1 or more of the following:
(i)
an access seeker:
(ii)
an end-user:
(iii)
any other person, as determined by the Commission; but
(b)
does not include any Crown financing
standard connection and non-standard connection have the meanings set out in section 155ZU.
Section 177: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
178 When input methodologies must be determined
(1)
The Commission must, not later than the implementation date, determine the input methodologies referred to in section 176 for fibre fixed line access services.
(2)
The Commission may, at any time after the implementation date, determine further input methodologies for fibre fixed line access services.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52U
Section 178: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
179 Commission process for determining input methodologies
(1)
When the Commission begins work on an input methodology, it must give public notice of its intention to do so that—
(a)
outlines the process that will be followed; and
(b)
sets out the proposed time frames.
(2)
During the course of its work on an input methodology, the Commission—
(a)
must give public notice of the draft methodology; and
(b)
must give interested persons a reasonable opportunity to give their views on that draft methodology; and
(c)
may hold 1 or more conferences; and
(d)
must have regard to any views received from interested persons within any time frames set.
(3)
Any work done or action taken (including any consultation) by the Commission on input methodologies before this section commences may be taken into account as part of the work required to be done by the Commission to comply with the requirements of subsections (1) and (2).
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52V
Section 179: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
180 Status of input methodologies, amendments, and revocations
(1)
The following are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements):
(a)
an input methodology:
(b)
an amendment to an input methodology:
(c)
the revocation by the Commission of an input methodology.
(2)
The secondary legislation must be published under the Legislation Act 2019,—
(a)
if it is made by the Commission, within 10 working days after the Commission makes its determination; or
(b)
if it is made by the High Court on appeal, within 10 working days after the Commission receives a copy of the High Court’s decision.
(3)
If an input methodology or amendment is made by the High Court on appeal, the Legislation Act 2019 applies as if the Commission were the maker of the secondary legislation.
(4)
When a methodology or an amendment (but not a revocation) is published, the Commission must publish the reasons for determining the methodology, or for amending it, on the Commission’s Internet site.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52W
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation referred to in subsection (1) | ||||
| Publication | The maker must: | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| • give public notice in accordance with section 6 and within the time required by subsection (2) | ||||
| • comply with subsection (4) | ||||
| A statement of the maker’s reasons for making the secondary legislation must be published with it | ||||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 180: replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
181 Changes to input methodologies
(1)
If the Commission proposes to amend an input methodology to make a material change, section 179 applies as if the amendment were a new input methodology.
(2)
The Commission may amend an input methodology to make a non-material change without complying with section 179.
(3)
If the Commission proposes to revoke an input methodology, the Commission—
(a)
must give public notice of its intention to do so that—
(i)
outlines the process that will be followed; and
(ii)
sets out the proposed time frames; and
(b)
must give interested persons a reasonable opportunity to give their views on the proposed revocation; and
(c)
may hold 1 or more conferences; and
(d)
must have regard to any views received from interested persons within any time frames set.
(4)
See also section 180.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52X
Section 181: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 181(4): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
182 Review and date of publication of input methodologies
(1)
The Commission must review each input methodology no later than 7 years after its date of publication and, after that, at intervals of no more than 7 years.
(2)
The date of publication of an input methodology is the date on which it is published under the Legislation Act 2019.
(3)
Section 179 applies, with any necessary modifications, as if the review were a new input methodology.
(4)
See also section 180.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52Y
Section 182: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 182(2): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 182(4): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Appeals against input methodology determinations
Heading: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
183 Appeals against input methodology determinations
(1)
Any person who gave views on an input methodology determination to the Commission as part of the process under section 179, and who, in the opinion of the High Court, has a significant interest in the matter, may appeal to the High Court against the determination.
(2)
In this section and section 184, input methodology determination means any of the following:
(a)
the initial determination of an input methodology:
(b)
any determination by the Commission that amends or revokes the input methodology:
(c)
any determination by the Commission of an input methodology after a review of the input methodology.
(3)
In determining an appeal against an input methodology determination, the court may do any of the following:
(a)
decline the appeal and confirm the input methodology, or the revocation of the input methodology, set out in the determination:
(b)
allow the appeal by—
(i)
amending the input methodology; or
(ii)
revoking the input methodology and substituting a new one; or
(iii)
referring the input methodology determination back to the Commission with directions as to the particular matters that require amendment; or
(iv)
if the revocation of an input methodology is not confirmed, confirming that the input methodology still applies.
(4)
The court may exercise its powers under subsection (3)(b) only if it is satisfied that the amended, substituted, or confirmed input methodology is (or will be, in the case of subsection (3)(b)(iii)) materially better in—
(a)
meeting the purpose of this Part or the purpose in section 174, or both; and
(b)
to the extent that the court considers it relevant, promoting workable competition in telecommunications markets for the long-term benefit of end-users of telecommunications services.
(5)
If the court allows an appeal, the Commission may seek clarification from the court on any matter for the purpose of implementing the court’s decision.
(6)
There is a right of appeal under section 97 of the Commerce Act 1986 to the Court of Appeal from any decision or order of the High Court under this section on a point of law only.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52Z
Section 183: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
184 Process for appeals
(1)
An appeal under section 183(1) must be brought within 20 working days after the date on which the input methodology is published.
(2)
The appeal must be by way of rehearing and must be conducted solely on the basis of the documentary information and views that were before the Commission when it made its determination, and no party may introduce any new material during the appeal.
(3)
The High Court must sit with 2 lay members (unless the court considers that only 1 is required).
(4)
Each of the lay members must have relevant experience and be appointed from the pool of people appointed under section 77 of the Commerce Act 1986 to be members of the court for the purpose of hearing the appeal.
(5)
Section 77 of the Commerce Act 1986 applies, and section 77(14) of that Act is not limited by subsection (3) of this section.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52ZA
Section 184: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 184(1): amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
185 Input methodology applies pending outcome of appeal
(1)
The High Court may not stay the application of section 175 with respect to any input methodology until any appeal against it is finally determined.
(2)
Section 175 continues to apply with respect to every input methodology until any appeal against the input methodology is finally determined.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53
Section 185: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 4—Information disclosure regulation
Subpart 4: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
186 Purpose of information disclosure regulation
The purpose of information disclosure regulation is to ensure that sufficient information is readily available to interested persons to assess whether the purpose of this Part is being met.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53A
Section 186: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
187 Effect of being subject to information disclosure regulation
(1)
A regulated fibre service provider who is subject to information disclosure regulation must—
(a)
publicly disclose information in accordance with the information disclosure requirements set out in the relevant section 170 determination; and
(b)
supply to the Commission a copy of all information disclosed in accordance with the section 170 determination, within 5 working days after the information is first made available to the public; and
(c)
supply to the Commission, in accordance with a written notice by the Commission, any further statements, reports, agreements, particulars, or other information required for the purpose of monitoring the regulated fibre service provider’s compliance with the section 170 determination.
(2)
If a regulated fibre service provider is subject to information disclosure regulation, the Commission—
(a)
may monitor and analyse all information disclosed in accordance with the information disclosure requirements; and
(b)
must, as soon as practicable after any information is publicly disclosed, publish (on the Commission’s Internet site) a summary and an analysis of that information for the purpose of promoting greater understanding of the performance of individual regulated fibre service providers, their relative performance, changes in their performance over time, and their ability to extract excessive profits.
(3)
To avoid doubt, the Commission may, as part of a summary and an analysis, include an analysis of how effective the information disclosure requirements imposed on the regulated fibre service providers are in promoting the purpose in section 162.
(4)
In complying with subsection (2)(b), the Commission must ensure that satisfactory provision exists to protect the confidentiality of any information that may reasonably be regarded as confidential or commercially sensitive.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53B
Section 187: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 187(2)(b): amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
188 Section 170 determination to set out information disclosure requirements
(1)
A section 170 determination relating to fibre fixed line access services that are subject to information disclosure regulation must specify the following:
(a)
the regulated fibre service providers to which it applies:
(b)
the information to be disclosed:
(c)
the manner in which the information is to be disclosed:
(d)
the form of disclosure:
(e)
when, and for how long, information must be disclosed:
(f)
the input methodologies that apply:
(g)
any other methodologies that are required in the preparation or compilation of the information.
(2)
Information required to be disclosed may include (without limitation) 1 or more of the following:
(a)
financial statements (including projected financial statements):
(b)
asset values and valuation reports:
(c)
prices, terms and conditions relating to prices, and pricing methodologies:
(d)
contracts:
(e)
transactions with related parties:
(f)
financial and non-financial performance measures:
(g)
plans and forecasts, including (without limitation) plans and forecasts about demand, investments, prices, revenues, quality and service levels, capacity and spare capacity, and efficiency improvements:
(h)
asset management plans:
(i)
quality performance measures and statistics:
(j)
assumptions, policies, and methodologies used or applied in these or other areas:
(k)
consolidated information that includes information about unregulated services, in which case section 189 applies:
(l)
information related to 1 or more parts of a fibre network.
(3)
The section 170 determination may do 1 or more of the following:
(a)
require disclosed information, or information from which disclosed information is derived (in whole or in part), to be verified by statutory declaration:
(b)
require independent audits of disclosed information:
(c)
require the retention of data on which disclosed information is based, and associated documentation:
(d)
exempt any person or class of persons, or provide for exemptions, from any requirements of the determination, and provide for the revocation of exemptions:
(e)
provide for transitional provisions:
(f)
impose any other requirements that the Commission considers necessary or desirable to promote the purpose of information disclosure regulation.
(4)
The section 170 determination may not require a regulated fibre service provider to publicly disclose any provision of an existing contract that, immediately before the fibre fixed line access services became subject to information disclosure regulation, was not required by or under any other enactment to be publicly disclosed.
(5)
If a section 170 determination authorises a person to grant exemptions referred to in subsection (3)(d),—
(a)
an instrument granting or revoking an exemption is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements), unless it applies only to 1 or more named persons; and
(b)
the regulations must contain a statement to that effect.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53C
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation referred to in subsection (5)(a) | ||||
| Publication | If the section 170 determination under which it is made was made before 28 October 2021, the maker must comply with any requirements to publish, notify, or otherwise make it available that applied under this Act or the section 170 determination immediately before that date. | LA19 ss 69, 73, 74 | ||
| If the section 170 determination under which it is made was made on or after 28 October 2021, the maker must publish it in accordance with the Legislation (Publication) Regulations 2021 | ||||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives, unless it is excluded by section 114(2) or clause 32 of Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32 | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives, unless it is excluded by section 115 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 188: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 188(5): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by regulation 67 of the Legislation Act (Amendments to Legislation) Regulations 2021 (SL 2021/247).
189 Consolidated information may also be required
(1)
The purpose of this section is to enable the Commission to monitor compliance with information disclosure regulation applying to fibre fixed line access services.
(2)
A section 170 determination may require information referred to in subsection (3) to be disclosed only to the extent required to enable the purpose in subsection (1) to be met.
(3)
If a regulated fibre service provider provides services that are not subject to regulation under this Part (other services), the provider may be required to disclose—
(a)
consolidated financial statements, and any other information referred to in section 188, for all businesses (including those related to the supply of other services) undertaken by that provider; and
(b)
consolidated financial statements, and any other information referred to in section 188, for the supply of all other services in aggregate; and
(c)
reconciliation of information provided under paragraphs (a) and (b) with information disclosed in accordance with information disclosure requirements applying to the fibre fixed line access services; and
(d)
reconciliation of information disclosed under Part 4 of the Commerce Act 1986 with information disclosed in accordance with information disclosure requirements applying to the fibre fixed line access services.
(4)
If a regulated fibre service provider supplies goods or services that are regulated under Part 4 of the Commerce Act 1986, the Commission may require the provider to provide consolidated information and performance measures relating to all, or any combination of, those goods or services and the services regulated under this Part.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53D
Section 189: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
190 Charge for providing copies to public
(1)
A person who is required, by a section 170 determination, to provide copies of statements and information to the public on request may charge for providing those copies.
(2)
The charge must be no more than is reasonably required to recover the costs of providing those copies.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53E
Section 190: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
191 Limited exception to obligation to apply input methodologies
(1)
Despite section 175, a regulated fibre service provider who is subject only to information disclosure regulation does not have to apply input methodologies for evaluating or determining the cost of capital.
(2)
However, to avoid doubt, subsection (1) does not affect anything else in this subpart, and in particular does not affect—
(a)
section 187(2) (which means the Commission may use the input methodologies referred to in subsection (1) to monitor and analyse information); or
(b)
section 188(2) (which means that a regulated fibre service provider may still be required to disclose information about the methodologies for evaluation or determining the cost of capital that it does in fact use).
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53F
Section 191: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 5—Price-quality regulation
Subpart 5: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
192 Purpose of price-quality regulation
The purpose of price-quality regulation is to regulate the price and quality of fibre fixed line access services provided by regulated fibre service providers.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53K
Section 192: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
193 Effect of being subject to price-quality regulation
(1)
A regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation in respect of fibre fixed line access services must—
(a)
apply the price-quality paths set by the Commission in a section 170 determination in respect of those services; and
(b)
comply with sections 198 to 201.
(2)
For the purpose of monitoring compliance with this section, the Commission may, in addition to exercising its powers under section 98 of the Commerce Act 1986, issue a written notice to a regulated fibre service provider requiring it to provide any or all of the following:
(a)
a written statement that states whether the provider has complied with the price-quality paths applying to that provider:
(b)
a report on the written statement referred to in paragraph (a) that is signed by an auditor in accordance with any form specified by the Commission:
(c)
sufficient information to enable the Commission to properly determine whether a price-quality path has been complied with:
(d)
a certificate, in the form specified by the Commission and signed by at least 1 director of the provider, confirming the truth and accuracy of any information provided under this section.
Compare: 1986 No 5 ss 53L, 53N
Section 193: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
194 Section 170 determination to set out price-quality path requirements
(1)
A section 170 determination relating to fibre fixed line access services that are subject to price-quality regulation must specify the price-quality paths that apply to a regulated fibre service provider.
(2)
A price-quality path must specify the following:
(a)
the regulatory period to which it applies:
(b)
in relation to prices, 1 or both of the following:
(i)
the maximum price or prices that may be charged by a regulated fibre service provider:
(ii)
the maximum revenues that may be recovered by a regulated fibre service provider:
(c)
the quality standards that must be met by a regulated fibre service provider:
(d)
the date or dates on which the price-quality path (or any part of it) takes effect:
(e)
the date or dates by which compliance must be demonstrated in accordance with section 193(2).
(3)
A price-quality path may include incentives for a regulated fibre service provider to maintain or improve its quality of supply, and those incentives may include (without limitation) any of the following:
(a)
penalties by way of a reduction in the provider’s maximum prices or revenues based on whether, or by what amount, the provider fails to meet the required quality standards:
(b)
rewards by way of an increase in the provider’s maximum prices or revenues based on whether, or by what amount, the provider meets or exceeds the required quality standards:
(c)
compensation schemes that set minimum standards of performance and require the provider to pay prescribed amounts of compensation if it fails to meet those standards:
(d)
reporting requirements, including special reporting requirements in asset management plans, if the provider fails to meet the quality standards.
(4)
Quality standards may, subject to any relevant input methodologies, be prescribed in any way the Commission considers appropriate (such as targets, bands, or formulas).
(5)
A price-quality path does not apply to a regulated fibre service provider until the date specified in the relevant section 170 determination.
Compare: 1986 No 5 ss 53M, 53O
Section 194: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
195 Maximum revenues specified in initial price-quality paths
(1)
Despite section 194(2)(b), the Commission must, in the price-quality paths for each regulatory period that starts before the reset date,—
(a)
specify the maximum revenues that may be recovered by a regulated fibre service provider; and
(b)
not specify the maximum price or prices that may be charged by a regulated fibre service provider.
(2)
In this section and section 196, reset date means the date declared, in an order made under section 225, to be the reset date.
Section 195: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
196 Wash-up mechanism for maximum revenues specified in initial price-quality paths
(1)
This section applies when the Commission specifies, in the price-quality paths for each regulatory period that starts before the reset date (except the first regulatory period), the maximum revenues that may be recovered by a regulated fibre service.
(2)
The Commission must, in calculating the maximum revenues, apply a wash-up mechanism that provides for any over-recovery or under-recovery of revenue by the regulated fibre service provider during the previous regulatory period to be applied in a manner that is equivalent in present value terms (as calculated in the manner that the Commission thinks fit) over 1 or more future regulatory periods.
(3)
To avoid doubt, the Commission may, but is not required to, apply the wash-up mechanism referred to in subsection (2) in a price-quality path for a regulatory period that starts on or after the reset date.
Section 196: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
197 Smoothing revenues and prices
(1)
This section applies when the Commission specifies maximum prices or maximum revenues for the purpose of section 194(2)(b).
(2)
The Commission must calculate the maximum price or revenue in a manner that is equivalent in present value terms (as calculated in the manner that the Commission thinks fit) over 2 or more regulatory periods (for example, by altering depreciation) if, in the Commission’s opinion, it is necessary or desirable to do so to minimise any undue financial hardship to a regulated fibre service provider or to minimise price shocks to end-users.
Section 197: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
198 Anchor services
(1)
A regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation must provide an anchor service if an anchor service has been declared.
(2)
The service must be provided—
(a)
in accordance with any prescribed description of the service; and
(b)
in accordance with any prescribed conditions; and
(c)
during any prescribed period for the service; and
(d)
at a price that is no greater than any prescribed maximum price.
Section 198: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
199 Direct fibre access services
(1)
A regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation must provide a direct fibre access service if a direct fibre access service has been declared.
(2)
The service must be provided—
(a)
in accordance with any prescribed description of the service; and
(b)
in accordance with any prescribed conditions; and
(c)
during any prescribed period for the service; and
(d)
at a price that is no greater than any prescribed maximum price.
Section 199: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
200 Unbundled fibre services
(1)
A regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation must provide an unbundled fibre service if an unbundled fibre service has been declared.
(2)
The service must be provided—
(a)
in accordance with any prescribed description of the service; and
(b)
in accordance with any prescribed conditions; and
(c)
during any prescribed period for the service; and
(d)
at a price that is no greater than any prescribed maximum price.
Section 200: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
201 Geographically consistent pricing
A regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation must, regardless of the geographic location of the access seeker or end-user, charge the same price for providing fibre fixed line access services that are, in all material respects, the same.
Section 201: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
202 Exceptions from section 201 for trials
(1)
Nothing in section 201 applies in relation to a trial of a fibre fixed line access service.
(2)
The provision of a service is a trial if the service—
(a)
is offered by the provider for no more than 1 year; and
(b)
is provided under an agreement with end-users that clearly states the end date for the service; and
(c)
is provided to no more than 1,000 end-users over the whole period in which it is offered.
Section 202: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
203 Making new section 170 determination
(1)
Before the end of each regulatory period, the Commission must make a new section 170 determination specifying the price-quality paths that will apply for the following regulatory period.
(2)
In making a new section 170 determination, the Commission must consult with interested parties in relation to the requirements listed in section 194.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53P
Section 203: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
204 What happens to price-quality path if input methodologies change
(1)
A price-quality path may not be reopened within a regulatory period on the grounds of a change in an input methodology, except as provided in subsection (2).
(2)
A price-quality path must be reopened by the Commission, and a new price-quality path made by amending the relevant section 170 determination in accordance with section 173, if—
(a)
an input methodology changes as a result of an appeal under section 183; and
(b)
had the changed methodology applied at the time the price-quality path was set, it would have resulted in a materially different path being set.
(3)
When making a new price-quality path under subsection (2), the Commission must apply claw-back.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53ZB
Section 204: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
205 Application of Commerce Act 1986
Part 2 of the Commerce Act 1986 does not apply in respect of—
(a)
a price for a fibre fixed line access service provided by a regulated fibre service provider if—
(i)
that service is subject to a prescribed maximum price under this Part (whether in this Part, in regulations made under this Part, or in a section 170 determination); and
(ii)
the price is the same as the prescribed maximum price; and
(b)
any matter necessary for giving effect to the prescribed maximum price referred to in paragraph (a).
Section 205: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
206 Modification of undertakings under section 156AD
(1)
A regulated service provider is not required to achieve price equivalence in relation to the supply of an unbundled layer 1 service to the extent that the service is an input to a relevant service.
(2)
This section applies—
(a)
on and after the implementation date; and
(b)
despite any undertaking entered into by a regulated fibre service provider in accordance with section 156AD(2)(c).
(3)
In this section,—
layer 1 service has the meaning set out in section 156AB
price equivalence means equivalence (as defined in section 156AB) in relation to pricing
relevant service means a service that is subject to a prescribed maximum price under this Part (whether in this Part, in regulations made under this Part, or in a section 170 determination) that is not a cost-based price.
Section 206: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 6—Regulatory periods
Subpart 6: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
207 Regulatory periods
(1)
The first regulatory period starts on the implementation date and lasts for a period of 3 years.
(2)
The duration of subsequent regulatory periods must be determined by the Commission and must be between 3 and 5 years.
(3)
The Commission must notify the duration of each new regulatory period in a section 170 determination.
Section 207: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 7—Reviews
Subpart 7: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
208 Anchor services review
(1)
The Commission may, before the start of each regulatory period (including the first regulatory period), review whether, and how effectively, an anchor service meets the purpose of anchor services in subsection (7).
(2)
A review must consider the following in respect of an anchor service:
(a)
any prescribed description of the service:
(b)
any prescribed conditions that apply to the service:
(c)
any prescribed period for the service:
(d)
any prescribed maximum price for the service.
(3)
The Commission must give interested persons a reasonable opportunity to give their views on the matters subject to review and the Commission must have regard to any views received.
(4)
The Commission must make a recommendation to the Minister after a review for the purposes of section 227.
(5)
The Commission must not recommend a change to the description of an anchor service unless the service (with the amended description) meets the purpose in subsection (7).
(6)
The Commission must not recommend a change to the prescribed maximum price of an anchor service unless,—
(a)
if the recommendation is made before the start of the first regulatory period, the recommended maximum price is based on the contract price for the service immediately before the implementation date, with an annual CPI adjustment mechanism; and
(b)
if the recommendation is made after the start of the first regulatory period, the recommended maximum price is a cost-based price.
(7)
The purpose of anchor services is—
(a)
to ensure that baseband equivalent voice and basic broadband services are available to end-users at reasonable prices; and
(b)
to act as an appropriate constraint on the price and quality of other fibre fixed line access services.
Section 208: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
209 Price-quality review
(1)
The Commission may, on or after the date that is 3 years after the implementation date and at intervals of no less than 5 years thereafter, review how effectively the regulatory provisions in sections 195, 199, and 200 meet the purpose in section 162.
(2)
A review must consider 1 or more of the following:
(a)
whether price-quality paths should, with effect from the start of a future regulatory period, continue to be required to specify the maximum revenues that may be recovered by a regulated fibre service provider (see sections 195 and 196):
(b)
whether any of the matters prescribed under section 228(2) should be amended and, if so, how they should be prescribed instead (if at all):
(c)
whether a point-to-multipoint layer 1 service supplied to end-users’ premises or buildings should be declared under section 229(1) to be an unbundled fibre service and, if so, how the matters set out in section 229(2) should be prescribed (if at all):
(d)
whether any of the matters prescribed under section 229(2) should be amended, and, if so, how they should be prescribed instead (if at all).
(3)
The Commission must give interested persons a reasonable opportunity to give their views on the matters subject to review and the Commission must have regard to any views received.
(4)
The Commission must make a recommendation to the Minister following a review for the purposes of section 225, 228, or 229 (as appropriate).
(5)
The Commission must not recommend a prescribed maximum price for an unbundled fibre service or a direct fibre access service unless the maximum price is a cost-based price.
Section 209: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
210 Deregulation review
(1)
The Commission may, at any time after the implementation date, review how 1 or more fibre fixed line access services are regulated under this Part if the Commission has reasonable grounds to consider that those services—
(a)
should no longer be regulated under this Part; or
(b)
should no longer be subject to price-quality regulation under this Part.
(2)
For the purposes of subsection (1), the Commission may, without limitation, describe a service under review with reference to any 1 or more of the following:
(a)
the geographic area in which the service is supplied:
(b)
the service’s end-users:
(c)
the service providers who seek access to the service:
(d)
the technical specifications of the service:
(e)
any other circumstances in which the service is supplied.
(3)
The Commission must, before the start of each regulatory period (except the first regulatory period), consider whether there are reasonable grounds to start a review.
(4)
A review may consider the following:
(a)
whether competition to 1 or more fibre fixed line access services has increased or decreased in a relevant market:
(b)
the impact of any increase or decrease on the ability of regulated fibre service providers to exercise substantial market power:
(c)
whether the purpose of this Part would be better met if 1 or more fibre fixed line access services—
(i)
were no longer regulated under this Part; or
(ii)
were no longer subject to price-quality regulation under this Part.
(5)
The Commission must give interested persons a reasonable opportunity to give their views on the matters subject to review and the Commission must have regard to any views received.
(6)
The Commission must make a recommendation to the Minister after a review.
Section 210: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
211 Application of Schedule 3
Despite clause 1 of Schedule 3, the Commission must not commence an investigation under Schedule 3 in relation to fibre fixed line access services.
Section 211: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 8—Enforcement and miscellaneous provisions
Subpart 8: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
212 Pecuniary penalty for contravening information disclosure requirement
(1)
The High Court may, on application by the Commission, order any person to pay a pecuniary penalty to the Crown if the court is satisfied that the person—
(a)
has contravened any information disclosure requirement (as defined in section 164(1)); or
(b)
has attempted to contravene any such requirement; or
(c)
has aided, abetted, counselled, or procured any other person to contravene any such requirement; or
(d)
has induced, or attempted to induce, any other person, whether by threats or promises or otherwise, to contravene any such requirement; or
(e)
has been in any way, directly or indirectly, knowingly concerned in, or party to, the contravention by any other person of any such requirement; or
(f)
has conspired with any other person to contravene any such requirement.
(2)
In subsection (1) and section 214, a reference to contravening an information disclosure requirement includes all or any of the following:
(a)
failing to disclose information required to be disclosed:
(b)
failing to disclose information in the form or within the time required:
(c)
disclosing information that is false or misleading under an information disclosure requirement.
(3)
The amount of pecuniary penalty must not, in respect of each act or omission, exceed $500,000 in the case of an individual, or $5,000,000 in the case of a body corporate.
(4)
In determining the amount of pecuniary penalty, the court must have regard to all relevant matters, including—
(a)
the nature and extent of the contravention; and
(b)
the circumstances in which the contravention took place (including whether the contravention was intentional, inadvertent, or caused by negligence); and
(c)
whether the person has previously been found by the court in proceedings under this Part to have engaged in similar conduct.
(5)
A regulated fibre service provider may not be liable to more than 1 pecuniary penalty in respect of the same conduct.
(6)
Proceedings under this section may be commenced at any time within 3 years after the contravention occurred.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 86
Section 212: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
213 Order requiring information disclosure requirement to be complied with
(1)
The High Court may, on application by the Commission, order a regulated fibre service provider to comply with an information disclosure requirement that applies to the provider.
(2)
An order under this section must specify the date by which, or period within which, the provider must comply with the requirement.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 86A
Section 213: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
214 Offences relating to information disclosure regulation
(1)
A person commits an offence if—
(a)
the person, knowing that particular fibre fixed line access services are subject to information disclosure regulation, intentionally contravenes any information disclosure requirement relating to those services; or
(b)
the person is subject to an order under section 213 and fails to comply with the order by the date, or within the period, specified.
(2)
A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $200,000 in the case of an individual, or $1,000,000 in the case of a body corporate.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 86B
Section 214: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
215 Pecuniary penalty for contravening price-quality requirements
(1)
The High Court may, on application by the Commission, order a person to pay a pecuniary penalty to the Crown if the court is satisfied that the person—
(a)
has contravened any price-quality requirement applying to fibre fixed line access services; or
(b)
has attempted to contravene any such requirement; or
(c)
has aided, abetted, counselled, or procured any other person to contravene any such requirement; or
(d)
has induced, or attempted to induce, any other person, whether by threats or promises or otherwise, to contravene any such requirement; or
(e)
has been in any way, directly or indirectly, knowingly concerned in, or party to, the contravention by any other person of any such requirement; or
(f)
has conspired with any other person to contravene any such requirement.
(2)
In subsection (1) and sections 216 to 218, a reference to contravening a price-quality requirement—
(a)
refers to a requirement imposed—
(i)
by a determination made under section 170 in relation to fibre fixed line services that are subject to price-quality regulation imposed under Part 6; or
(ii)
by section 193(1)(b); and
(b)
includes 1 or more of the following:
(i)
failing to comply with a requirement for prices, whether by charging a price for a service that is higher than the maximum price permitted, or by receiving more revenue than is permitted, or in any other way:
(ii)
failing to comply with any quality standards required under the price-quality regulation:
(iii)
failing to comply with any requirement in sections 198 to 201.
(3)
The amount of pecuniary penalty must not, in respect of each act or omission, exceed $500,000 in the case of an individual, or $5,000,000 in the case of a body corporate.
(4)
In setting the amount of pecuniary penalty, the court must take into account all of the following matters:
(a)
the nature and extent of the contravention:
(b)
the nature and extent of any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of the contravention:
(c)
the circumstances in which the contravention took place (including whether the contravention was intentional, inadvertent, or caused by negligence):
(d)
whether or not the person has previously been found by the court in proceedings under this Part to have engaged in similar conduct.
(5)
A regulated fibre service provider may not be liable to more than 1 pecuniary penalty in respect of the same conduct.
(6)
Proceedings under this section may be commenced at any time within 3 years after the contravention occurred.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 87
Section 215: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
216 Compensation for contravention of price-quality requirement
(1)
If the High Court orders a person to pay a pecuniary penalty under section 215 in respect of the contravention of a price-quality requirement, the court may, in addition, order the person to pay compensation to any person who has suffered, or is likely to suffer, loss or damage as a result of the contravention (an aggrieved person).
(2)
An application for an order under this section may be made by the Commission or any aggrieved person.
(3)
The application must be made within 1 year of the date of the pecuniary penalty order.
(4)
The court may make an order under this section whether or not any aggrieved person is party to the proceedings.
(5)
In proceedings under this section, the court may make such orders as to cost as it thinks fit.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 87A
Section 216: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
217 Offence relating to price-quality regulation
(1)
A person commits an offence if—
(a)
the person, knowing that particular fibre fixed line access services are subject to price-quality regulation, intentionally contravenes a price-quality requirement in respect of the services; or
(b)
the person is subject to an order under section 218(1)(b) and fails to comply with the order.
(2)
A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $200,000 in the case of an individual, or $1,000,000 in the case of a body corporate.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 87B
Section 217: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
218 Injunction and other orders relating to price-quality regulation
(1)
If the High Court is satisfied that fibre fixed line access services that are subject to price-quality regulation are being provided, or are likely to be provided, in contravention of any price-quality requirement applying with respect to those services, the court may do 1 or both of the following:
(a)
grant an injunction restraining any provider of those services from providing them in contravention of the price-quality requirement:
(b)
make an order requiring the provider to provide the services in accordance with the price-quality requirement applying to them.
(2)
An application for an injunction or order under this section may be made by any person.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 87C
Section 218: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
219 Proceedings for pecuniary penalties
The following sections of the Commerce Act 1986 apply in relation to proceedings for pecuniary penalties under this Part:
(a)
(b)
section 79B (except that the relevant offences are those in sections 214 and 217 of this Act).
Section 219: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
220 Evidence not otherwise admissible
In the exercise of its jurisdiction under this Part, except in respect of criminal proceedings and proceedings for pecuniary penalties, the High Court may receive in evidence any statement, document, or information that would not be otherwise admissible but that may in its opinion assist it to deal effectively with the matter.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 79
Section 220: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
221 Powers of Commission under this Part
(1)
For the purpose of carrying out its functions and exercising its powers under this Part, the Commission may, in addition to exercising its powers under this Act and section 98 of the Commerce Act 1986, do any of the following:
(a)
consult any person the Commission considers may assist it:
(b)
investigate any of the following:
(i)
how effectively and efficiently a regulated fibre service provider is providing fibre fixed line access services:
(ii)
how any formula, methodology, or price-quality path being considered by the Commission may be applied, or how any formula, methodology, or price-quality provision determined or authorised by the Commission has been applied, in considering proposed prices, revenue, or quality standards:
(iii)
how any conditions relating to the quality of fibre fixed line access services may be, or are being, fulfilled:
(c)
examine, consider, or investigate any activity, cost, revenue, transfer, asset valuation, circumstance, or event that is occurring or that has occurred during the previous 7 years:
(d)
use any information previously disclosed to the Commission under this Act or the Commerce Act 1986:
(e)
by notice in writing, require any regulated fibre service provider—
(i)
to prepare and produce forecasts, forward plans, or other information; and
(ii)
to apply any methodology specified by the Commission in the preparation of forecasts, forward plans, or other information:
(f)
by notice in writing, require any specified person who the Commission has reason to believe may have information or documents relevant to the investigation, audit, or inquiry, at the time and place specified in the notice, to do 1 or both of the following:
(i)
produce or supply to the Commission documents and information in relation to the fibre fixed line access services, or the prices or operations of the person in respect of the services:
(ii)
answer any questions about any matter that the Commission has reason to believe may be relevant to the investigation, audit, or inquiry:
(g)
by notice in writing, require any regulated fibre service provider, at the time and place specified in the notice, to produce or supply to the Commission an expert opinion from an appropriately qualified person, or from a member of a class of appropriately qualified persons, as determined by the Commission in relation to the matters in paragraph (b), (c), (e), or (f)(i).
(2)
In this section, specified person means any of the following:
(a)
a regulated fibre service provider:
(b)
a person who used to be a regulated fibre service provider:
(c)
a retail service provider:
(d)
an agency associated with the supply of fibre fixed line access services.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53ZD
Section 221: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
222 Power to exempt disclosure of commercially sensitive information
(1)
The Commission may, on application, exempt any person, in respect of any information or class of information that the Commission considers to be commercially sensitive, from any obligation to make that information available to the public as part of the requirements of information disclosure regulation or price-quality regulation.
(2)
The Commission may grant the exemption on any terms and conditions that it thinks fit.
(3)
[Repealed](4)
[Repealed](5)
The Commission’s reasons for granting an exemption (including why it is appropriate) must be published together with the exemption.
(6)
The Commission must keep a list of all current exemptions made by it under this section and must make the list available—
(a)
for public inspection free of charge during normal office hours of the Commission at the offices of the Commission; and
(b)
on the Commission’s Internet site.
(7)
The Commission may vary or revoke an exemption in the same way as it may grant the exemption, and this section applies with all necessary modifications.
(8)
The breach of a term or condition of an exemption is a breach of the obligation to which the exemption relates.
(9)
An exemption under this section, and any variation or revocation of it, is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53ZG
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must: | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| • give public notice in accordance with section 6 | ||||
| • comply with subsection (5) | ||||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 222: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 222(3): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 222(4): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 222(6)(b): amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Section 222(9): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
223 Material may be incorporated by reference
Schedule 5 of the Commerce Act 1986 applies with any necessary modifications if the Commission wishes to incorporate material by reference in 1 or both of the following:
(a)
a section 170 determination:
(b)
an input methodology.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53ZF
Section 223: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 9—Appeals from Commission determinations
Subpart 9: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
224 Appeals in relation to Commission determinations
(1)
A regulated fibre service provider or any other person may appeal to the High Court under this subsection against any determination of the Commission under this Part, other than the following:
(a)
a section 170 determination, or any part of a section 170 determination, that sets out how information disclosure regulation applies to a regulated fibre service provider:
(b)
an input methodology determination under subpart 3 (for which a separate appeal right is given under that subpart).
(2)
An appeal against a section 170 determination under subsection (1) may not include an appeal against all or part of an input methodology, whether on a point of law or any other ground.
(3)
A person may appeal to the High Court under this subsection on a question of law against any determination of the Commission under this Part (including a determination referred to in subsection (1)), except if the person has appealed, or is able to appeal, on the question of law against the determination under section 183.
(4)
An appeal under this section must be made by giving notice of appeal within 20 working days after the date of the determination appealed against or within such further time as the court may allow.
(5)
Sections 77 and 93 to 97 of the Commerce Act 1986 apply with any necessary modifications in respect of an appeal under this section.
(6)
To avoid doubt, a recommendation to the Minister by the Commission is not a determination for the purposes of this section.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 91
Section 224: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Subpart 10—Orders and regulations
Subpart 10: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
225 Order for reset date
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, declare a date to be the reset date for the purpose of sections 195 and 196.
(2)
The power to make an order made under this section may be exercised only once.
(3)
The Minister must not recommend that an order be made under this section unless the Commission has, after a review under section 209, recommended that the order be made.
(4)
An order under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 225: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 225(4): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
226 Persons subject to regulation under Part 6
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations prescribing a person who provides fibre fixed line access services as being subject to 1 or both of the following:
(a)
information disclosure regulation:
(b)
price-quality regulation.
(2)
Regulations made under this section must—
(a)
state the name of the person; and
(b)
describe the services in respect of which the person is subject to information disclosure regulation, price-quality regulation, or both.
(3)
For the purposes of subsection (2)(b), the regulations may, without limitation other than subsection (4)(b), describe a service with reference to any 1 or more of the following:
(a)
the geographic area in which the service is supplied:
(b)
the service’s end-users:
(c)
the service providers who seek access to the service:
(d)
the technical specifications of the service:
(e)
any other circumstances in which the service is supplied.
(4)
The Minister must not recommend that regulations be made under this section unless—
(a)
the Commission has consulted with interested persons; and
(b)
the Commission has recommended to the Minister that the regulations be made.
(5)
Subsection (4) applies unless the Minister is recommending regulations to which either or both of the following apply:
(a)
the regulations have no more than a minor effect:
(b)
the regulations correct errors or make similar technical amendments.
(6)
The Minister must not recommend that regulations be made to prescribe a person as being subject to information disclosure regulation, price-quality regulation, or both unless the Commission has advised that it is satisfied that the person provides fibre fixed line access services in a market where the person can exercise a substantial degree of market power.
(7)
If, in accordance with regulations made under this section, a person is subject to information disclosure regulation or price-quality regulation (or both) in respect of 1 or more fibre fixed line access services, the regulations apply to any subsidiary of, or successor to, the person in respect of those services.
(8)
For the purposes of subsection (4)(a), the Commission has consulted with interested persons if it has complied with section 210(5) in relation to the proposed change to be implemented through the regulations.
(9)
In this section, a reference to a person who provides fibre fixed line access services includes a person who provides services that would be fibre fixed line access services if the person was already subject to information disclosure regulation or price-quality regulation under this Part.
(10)
Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 226: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 226(10): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
227 Anchor services
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations declaring a fibre fixed line access service to be an anchor service.
(2)
The regulations may, in relation to the service, prescribe all or any of the following:
(a)
a description of the service; and
(b)
any conditions; and
(c)
the period during which a regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation must provide the service; and
(d)
the maximum price that a regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation may charge for providing the service.
(3)
For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), the regulations may, without limitation other than subsection (4), describe a service with reference to any 1 or more of the following:
(a)
the geographic area in which the service must be supplied:
(b)
the service’s end-users:
(c)
the service providers who seek access to the service:
(d)
the technical specifications of the service:
(e)
any other circumstances in which the service must be supplied.
(4)
The Minister must not recommend that regulations be made under this section unless the Commission has, after a review under section 208, recommended that the regulations be made.
(5)
Subsection (4) applies unless the Minister is recommending regulations to which either or both of the following apply:
(a)
the regulations have no more than a minor effect:
(b)
the regulations correct errors or make similar technical amendments.
(6)
See clause 14 of Schedule 1AA for requirements relating to the first regulations made under this section.
(7)
Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 227: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 227(7): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
228 Direct fibre access services
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations declaring a fibre fixed line access service to be a direct fibre access service.
(2)
The regulations may, in relation to a direct fibre access service, prescribe all or any of the following:
(a)
a description of the service; and
(b)
any conditions; and
(c)
the period during which a regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation must provide the service; and
(d)
the maximum price that a regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation may charge for providing the service.
(3)
For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), the regulations may, without limitation other than subsection (4), describe a service with reference to any 1 or more of the following:
(a)
the geographic area in which the service must be supplied:
(b)
the service’s end-users:
(c)
the service providers who seek access to the service:
(d)
the technical specifications of the service:
(e)
any other circumstances in which the service must be supplied.
(4)
The Minister must not recommend that regulations be made under this section unless the Commission has, after a review under section 209, recommended that the regulations be made.
(5)
Subsection (4) applies unless the Minister is recommending regulations to which 1 or more of the following apply:
(a)
the regulations have no more than a minor effect:
(b)
the regulations correct errors or make similar technical amendments:
(c)
the regulations are allowed under subsection (6).
(6)
If a review has not been carried out under section 209, the Minister may recommend that regulations be made under subsection (2))d) if the Minister is satisfied that the regulations will prescribe a maximum price by reference to the contract price of the service immediately before the implementation date, with an annual CPI adjustment mechanism.
(7)
See clause 15 of Schedule 1AA for requirements relating to the first regulations made under this section.
(8)
Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 228: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 228(8): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
229 Unbundled fibre services
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations declaring a point-to-multipoint layer 1 service supplied to end-users’ premises or buildings to be an unbundled fibre service.
(2)
The regulations may, in relation to an unbundled fibre service, prescribe all or any of the following:
(a)
a description of the service:
(b)
any conditions:
(c)
the period during which the service must be provided:
(d)
the maximum price that may be charged for the service, which must be a cost-based price.
(3)
For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), the regulations may, without limitation other than subsection (4), describe a service with reference to any 1 or more of the following:
(a)
the geographic area in which the service must be supplied:
(b)
the service’s end-users:
(c)
the service providers who seek access to the service:
(d)
the technical specifications of the service:
(e)
any other circumstances in which the service must be supplied.
(4)
The Minister must not recommend that regulations be made under this section unless the Commission has, after a review under section 209, recommended that the regulations be made.
(5)
Subsection (4) applies unless the Minister is recommending regulations to which either or both of the following apply:
(a)
the regulations have no more than a minor effect:
(b)
the regulations correct errors or make similar technical amendments.
(6)
Despite subsection (1), the Minister must not recommend that a service be declared, before 1 January 2026, to be an unbundled fibre service if the service is provided over a fibre network developed as part of UFB 2 (as defined in section 156AB).
(7)
See clause 16 of Schedule 1AA for requirements relating to the first regulations made under this section.
(8)
Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 229: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 229(8): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
230 Regulations under sections 228 and 229 may modify undertaking under section 156AD
(1)
This section applies if the Governor-General makes regulations under section 228 or 229.
(2)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make further regulations to discharge an LFC from its obligation to supply a service under an undertaking entered into in accordance with section 156AD.
(3)
For the purposes of subsection (2), the regulations may describe the service with reference to any 1 or more of the following:
(a)
the geographic area in which the service is supplied:
(b)
the service’s end-users:
(c)
the service providers who seek access to the service:
(d)
the technical specifications of the service:
(e)
any other circumstances in which the service is supplied.
(4)
In this section, LFC has the meaning given in section 156AB.
(5)
Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 230: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 230(5): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
231 Specified points of interconnection
(1)
The Commission may, by public notice, prescribe points of interconnection for the purposes of establishing fibre handover points.
(2)
The notice may prescribe a point of interconnection by reference to 1 or more of the following:
(a)
a regulated fibre service provider’s network:
(b)
a geographical location:
(c)
the UFB initiative.
(3)
The Commission may amend or revoke a notice in the manner in which it was made.
(4)
However, the Commission must not amend a specified point of interconnection unless the amendment—
(a)
is for an appropriate technical purpose; and
(b)
is consistent with the purpose in section 162.
(5)
The first notice made under this section—
(a)
must prescribe points of interconnection based on the points of interconnection that apply as at the close of 31 December 2019 under the UFB initiative; and
(b)
may prescribe additional points of interconnection.
(6)
[Repealed]Section 231: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 24 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 231(6): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Part 7 Consumer matters
Part 7: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
232 Interpretation
In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,—
consumer means, in relation to a telecommunications service, the end-user of the service
industry dispute resolution scheme—
(a)
means—
(i)
the Telecommunications Dispute Resolution scheme established by the Forum; and
(ii)
any other dispute resolution scheme that has been set up by the telecommunications industry and deals with consumer complaints; but
(b)
excludes a dispute resolution scheme as defined in clause 2 of Schedule 3C
scheme member means a member of an industry dispute resolution scheme
scheme provider means the person responsible for an industry dispute resolution scheme.
Section 232: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Retail service quality codes
Heading: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
233 Purpose of retail service quality code
The purpose of a retail service quality code is to improve retail service quality to reflect the demands of end-users of telecommunications services.
Section 233: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
234 Commission may issue guidelines
The Commission may issue guidelines to the telecommunications industry on any matters relating to retail service quality codes, including advice on what matters are appropriately dealt with by retail service quality codes.
Section 234: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
235 Commission review of industry retail service quality codes
(1)
The Commission may, at any time, review an industry retail service quality code.
(2)
The Commission may require the following persons to provide the Commission with any information relevant to the industry retail service quality code under review:
(a)
the Forum:
(b)
service providers to whom the code applies.
(3)
After each review, the Commission must—
(a)
advise the Forum, the dispute resolution provider for the code (if any), and the Minister of any recommendations for improving the code and of any recommendations for creating a new code; and
(b)
advise the Minister of whether any previous recommendations have been implemented; and
(c)
advise the Minister of whether, in the Commission’s opinion,—
(i)
the code fails to achieve the purpose set out in section 233; or
(ii)
a Commission RSQ code would better achieve the purpose set out in section 233.
Section 235: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
236 Commission retail service quality code
(1)
The Commission may make a retail service quality code in relation to the provision of 1 or more types of telecommunications service only if—
(a)
no industry retail service quality code has been made in relation to the service; or
(b)
an industry retail service quality code has been made in relation to the service, but in the Commission’s opinion—
(i)
the code fails to achieve the purpose set out in section 233; or
(ii)
a Commission RSQ code would better achieve the purpose set out in section 233.
(2)
If the Commission intends to make a Commission RSQ code, the Commission must, before making the code, provide a report to the Minister containing the reasons for making the code and the provision of this section that applies.
(3)
A Commission RSQ code, and any amendment to or revocation of the code, is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must give public notice in accordance with section 6 | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 236: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 236(3): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
237 Contents of Commission retail service quality code
(1)
A Commission RSQ code must—
(a)
specify which telecommunications services it applies to; and
(b)
specify which telecommunications service providers it applies to; and
(c)
promote the purpose set out in section 233.
(2)
A Commission retail service quality code may—
(a)
impose binding obligations on telecommunications service providers that provide retail telecommunications services covered by the code; and
(b)
contain any other provisions that are necessary or desirable.
Section 237: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Commission 111 contact code
Heading: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
238 Commission 111 contact code
(1)
The Commission must make a code for the purpose of ensuring that vulnerable consumers, or persons on their behalf, have reasonable access to an appropriate means to contact the 111 emergency service in the event of a power failure.
(2)
The code must be made before the implementation date.
(3)
The code must—
(a)
specify which telecommunications services it applies to; and
(b)
require the providers of those services to inform consumers about the options available for vulnerable consumers; and
(c)
prescribe a process (or processes) for a consumer of those services, or a person on their behalf, to demonstrate that they—
(i)
are a vulnerable consumer; or
(ii)
will become a vulnerable consumer; and
(d)
require the providers of those services to supply vulnerable consumers, at no cost to the consumers, with an appropriate means for contacting the 111 emergency service that can be operated for the minimum period in the event of a power failure; and
(e)
specify the minimum period for the purposes of paragraph (d).
(4)
The code may do 1 or more of the following:
(a)
specify classes of people that must be considered vulnerable consumers:
(b)
specify appropriate means for vulnerable consumers, or persons on their behalf, to contact emergency services:
(c)
contain any other provisions that are necessary or desirable to achieve the purpose in subsection (1).
(5)
In this section,—
minimum period means the minimum period specified under subsection (3)(e)
specified telecommunications service means a telecommunications service specified in the Commission 111 contact code as a service to which the code applies
vulnerable consumer means a consumer of a specified telecommunications service who—
(a)
is at particular risk of requiring the 111 emergency service (for example, due to a known medical condition); and
(b)
does not have a means for contacting the 111 emergency service that can be operated for the minimum period in the event of a power failure.
(6)
A Commission 111 contact code, and any amendment to or revocation of the code, is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must give public notice in accordance with section 6 | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 238: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 238(6): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Process for making Commission codes
Heading: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
239 Process for making or amending Commission code
(1)
In order to make a Commission code, the Commission must—
(a)
give public notice of the process that will be followed to make the code; and
(b)
consult with interested persons; and
(c)
give public notice of a draft code.
(2)
If the code is a Commission 111 contact code, interested persons includes the following:
(a)
the New Zealand Police:
(b)
Fire and Emergency New Zealand:
(c)
the Director-General of Emergency Management:
(d)
every provider of an initial call answering point for the 111 emergency service.
(3)
A person is entitled to make submissions to the Commission not later than 30 working days after the date on which public notice of the draft code is given.
(4)
The Commission may make the code only if the Commission is satisfied that the draft code meets all the requirements set out in this Part.
(5)
The Commission may amend or revoke a code if the Commission considers that the code no longer meets all the requirements set out in this Part.
(6)
The same procedure that applies to making a code in subsections (1) to (4) must be followed to make an amendment or a revocation, with any necessary modifications.
(7)
[Repealed]Section 239: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Section 239(2)(c): amended, on 4 September 2026, by section 235 of the Emergency Management Act 2026 (2026 No 53).
Section 239(7): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Dispute resolution schemes
Heading: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
240 Dispute resolution scheme
(1)
The dispute resolution scheme for all Commission codes is—
(a)
an industry dispute resolution scheme; or
(b)
if Part 4B comes into force in accordance with section 156S, a consumer complaints system—
(i)
that is appointed under that Part; and
(ii)
that the Minister declares under this section to be the dispute resolution scheme for Commission codes.
(2)
A scheme provider for an industry dispute resolution scheme must, on request by the Minister or the Commission, provide information on matters relating to any information or reports relevant to the administration of a Commission code.
(3)
Sections 241 to 245 apply unless Part 4B comes into force.
Section 240: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
241 Disputes may be referred to industry dispute resolution scheme
(1)
A dispute between a consumer and a telecommunications service provider about their rights and obligations under a Commission code may be referred to an industry dispute resolution scheme by any of the parties to the dispute.
(2)
Disputes that may, depending on the relevant Commission code, be referred to an industry dispute resolution scheme include disputes about the following:
(a)
installation times:
(b)
how consumer complaints are handled:
(c)
other matters provided for in the code or by the industry dispute resolution scheme.
Compare: 2001 No 103 s 155ZI
Section 241: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
242 Determinations binding on scheme members and certain other parties
(1)
This section applies if a dispute is referred to an industry dispute resolution scheme and a determination is made on the dispute under the rules of the scheme.
(2)
The determination is binding on each party to the dispute who is a scheme member (except to the extent that it may be modified by the District Court under section 245(3)), and the scheme member has no right of appeal against the determination.
(3)
The determination is binding on each party to the dispute who is not a scheme member, except if one of those parties lodges an appeal against the determination under section 243 and the court modifies or reverses the determination.
Compare: 2001 No 103 s 155ZJ
Section 242: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
243 Appeals against determinations
(1)
A consumer or any other party to the dispute who is not a scheme member may, within the time allowed under section 244(1), appeal to the District Court against a determination.
(2)
The court may confirm, modify, or reverse the determination appealed against.
(3)
The decision of the court on the appeal is binding on all persons named as parties in the determination, and there is no right of appeal against the court’s decision.
Compare: 2001 No 103 s 155ZK
Section 243: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
244 Procedure on appeal
(1)
An appeal under section 243 must be brought and determined in accordance with the rules of court, except that—
(a)
an appeal must be brought within 5 working days after the determination appealed against is notified to the party wanting to lodge the appeal, or any further time the court allows on an application made before or after that period ends; and
(b)
the industry dispute resolution scheme, as the maker of the determination appealed against, is not entitled to be represented at the hearing of the appeal; and
(c)
the court on appeal may not refer the determination back to the industry dispute resolution scheme for any purpose.
(2)
The court may hear all evidence provided and representations made by or on behalf of any party to the appeal that the court considers relevant to the appeal, whether or not the evidence would otherwise be admissible in a court.
Compare: 2001 No 103 s 155ZL
Section 244: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
245 Compliance with rules, binding settlements, and determinations
(1)
Members of an industry dispute resolution scheme and each party to a dispute that is referred to the scheme must comply with the rules of the scheme.
(2)
On an application of the scheme provider for an industry dispute resolution scheme, the District Court may require a scheme member or other person who is a party to a dispute to do any of the following:
(a)
comply with the rules of the scheme:
(b)
comply with the terms of a binding settlement or determination made under the rules of the scheme.
(3)
If the District Court is satisfied that the terms of a binding settlement or determination are manifestly unreasonable, the court’s order under subsection (2)(b) may modify the terms of the binding settlement or determination, but only to the extent that the modification results in a binding settlement or determination that could have been made under the industry dispute resolution scheme.
(4)
If an order requiring a scheme member to comply with a binding settlement includes a requirement that the member pay an amount of money to a person, that order (or part of the order) may be enforced as if it were a judgment by the District Court for the payment of a sum of money.
(5)
A reference in this section to a scheme member includes a reference to a person who was a member of the industry dispute resolution scheme at the relevant time but is no longer a member at the time of the application or order.
Compare: 2001 No 103 s 155ZM
Section 245: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Commission review of industry dispute resolution schemes
Heading: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
246 Commission review of industry dispute resolution schemes
(1)
The Commission must review each industry dispute resolution scheme at least once every 3 years.
(2)
As part of a review of a scheme, the Commission may, without limitation, consider the following:
(a)
the purpose of the scheme:
(b)
the scheme provider:
(c)
the dispute resolution provider for the scheme:
(d)
the effectiveness of the scheme in resolving complaints by consumers against service providers:
(e)
the adequacy of the scheme rules:
(f)
whether the scheme rules comply with the following principles:
(i)
accessibility:
(ii)
independence:
(iii)
fairness:
(iv)
accountability:
(v)
efficiency:
(vi)
effectiveness:
(g)
whether any recommendations for improving the scheme made under subsection (4) have been implemented:
(h)
the purpose of the dispute resolution provider for the scheme:
(i)
the procedures that are used for receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints:
(j)
how promptly complaints are dealt with.
(3)
The Commission may require the following persons to provide the Commission with any information relevant to the matters included in subsection (2):
(a)
the dispute resolution provider for the scheme:
(b)
the scheme provider:
(c)
a scheme member.
(4)
After each review, the Commission must provide a report to the scheme provider on any recommendations for improving the scheme and when the recommendations should be implemented.
(5)
If the Commission considers that any recommendations made under subsection (4) have not been implemented satisfactorily, the Commission must provide a report to the Minister on—
(a)
the recommendations for improving the scheme made under subsection (4); and
(b)
whether those recommendations have been implemented; and
(c)
whether, in the Commission’s opinion,—
(i)
the scheme fails to achieve the purpose set out in section 247; or
(ii)
the dispute resolution provider for the scheme fails to achieve the purpose set out in section 248.
(6)
If the Commission proposes to report, under subsection (5)(c), that a scheme fails to achieve the purpose set out in section 247 or that the dispute resolution provider for the scheme fails to achieve the purpose in section 248, the Commission must give the following persons 20 working days to make submissions on a draft report:
(a)
the dispute resolution provider for the scheme:
(b)
the scheme provider:
(c)
a scheme member.
Section 246: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
247 Purpose of dispute resolution scheme
The purpose of a dispute resolution scheme is to ensure that, if a consumer has a dispute with a service provider in relation to a Commission code or an industry retail service quality code, the consumer has access to a dispute resolution scheme for resolving that dispute in accordance with the principles set out in section 246(2)(f).
Section 247: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
248 Purpose of dispute resolution provider
The purpose of a dispute resolution provider, in relation to a dispute resolution scheme for a Commission code or an industry retail service quality code, is—
(a)
to operate the scheme; and
(b)
to administer the relevant code; and
(c)
to manage consumer complaints relating to the code; and
(d)
to investigate disputes relating to the code; and
(e)
to promote awareness of the scheme and the code; and
(f)
to monitor compliance with the scheme and the code; and
(g)
to enforce the provisions of the scheme and the code.
Section 248: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
249 Interrelationship of remedies
(1)
Nothing in this Part limits or affects any right, duty, liability, or remedy that exists or is available apart from this Part.
(2)
Any right of action or other remedy available under, or in connection with, this Part may be taken, proceeded with, or heard in conjunction with any other action or remedy available under this Act or otherwise.
(3)
However, in determining whether to order a person to pay a penalty, compensation, or damages, the court must have regard to—
(a)
whether that person has already been ordered to pay a penalty, compensation, or damages for the same matter; and
(b)
if so, the amount and effect of that first order.
Compare: 2001 No 103 s 156AS
Section 249: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 36 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Schedule 1AA Transitional, savings, and related matters
Schedule 1AA: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 20 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Part 1 Provisions relating to Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017
Schedule 1AA Part 1: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 20 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
1 Interpretation
In this Part,—
amendment Act means the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017
commencement date means the date on which new subpart 3 of Part 4 comes into force
consent process, in relation to an installation, means the process of sending to each affected party a request for that person’s consent to the FTTP service provider or network operator entering the relevant property and carrying out the installation
new subpart 3 of Part 4 means subpart 3 of Part 4 of the principal Act as replaced by section 13 of the amendment Act
principal Act means the Telecommunications Act 2001.
Schedule 1AA clause 1: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 20 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Orders for FTTP services placed before commencement of new subpart 3 of Part 4: transitional provisions
Heading: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 20 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
2 Application of clauses 3 to 5 to installations ordered before commencement date
Clauses 3 to 5 apply to an FTTP service provider or a network operator and an installation of an FTTP service where—
(a)
the order for the installation was placed with a retail provider before the commencement date; and
(b)
the installation is prescribed as a category 1 or category 2 installation for the purposes of new subpart 3 of Part 4.
Schedule 1AA clause 2: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 20 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
3 New subpart 3 of Part 4 applies if consent process not begun as at commencement date
If the consent process has not begun as at the commencement date, then, despite section 155J(1)(a), new subpart 3 of Part 4 applies as if the order had been placed after the commencement date.
Schedule 1AA clause 3: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 20 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
4 FTTP service provider or network operator may elect to use statutory procedure
(1)
If the consent process has begun as at the commencement date but no affected person has responded to the request for consent by that date, the FTTP service provider or network operator may elect to—
(a)
obtain the necessary consents by continuing the process already begun; or
(b)
meet the preconditions for exercising a statutory right of access under new subpart 3 of Part 4 by—
(i)
giving affected persons the notice and the further information required under section 155K, 155L, or 155R (whichever applies) as documents in substitution for the request for consent previously made; and
(ii)
proceeding in accordance with new subpart 3 of Part 4.
(2)
Subclause (1)(b) does not affect the application of section 155J (general preconditions for statutory rights of access to apply) except to the extent that section 155J(1)(a) requires the order for the installation to have been placed after the commencement date.
Schedule 1AA clause 4: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 20 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
5 Consent process begun and some responses received
(1)
If, as at the commencement date, the consent process has begun and 1 or more affected persons have given their consent but others have not responded to the request for consent, the FTTP service provider or network operator may elect to—
(a)
obtain the consents of those who have not responded, by continuing the process already begun; or
(b)
meet the preconditions for exercising a statutory right of access under new subpart 3 of Part 4 by—
(i)
giving to the affected persons who have not responded the notice and the further information required under section 155K, 155L, or 155R (whichever applies) as documents in substitution for the request for consent given before the commencement date; and
(ii)
proceeding in accordance with new subpart 3 of Part 4 in respect of those persons.
(2)
The FTTP service provider or network operator may, at its discretion, accept an affected person’s retraction of his or her consent given before the commencement date.
(3)
Subclause (1)(b) does not affect the application of section 155J (general preconditions for statutory rights of access to apply) except to the extent that section 155J(1)(a) requires the order for the installation to have been placed after the commencement date.
Schedule 1AA clause 5: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 20 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Exercise of Minister’s powers in connection with dispute resolution scheme
Heading: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 20 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
6 Action taken by Minister on dispute resolution scheme
(1)
Subclause (2) applies if, before the commencement of sections 13, 20, and 21 of the amendment Act, any action is taken by or on behalf of the Minister in doing any of the following:
(a)
notifying in the Gazette the information that a person applying for approval of a scheme as the dispute resolution scheme must include in an application:
(b)
seeking and accepting applications for approval of a scheme as the approved scheme:
(c)
consulting industry bodies and other persons that the Minister considers would be likely to be substantially affected by a potential approval:
(d)
approving a scheme as the approved scheme.
(2)
The action taken is deemed to have been taken by the Minister under, and for the purposes of, clauses 3 to 5 of Schedule 3C of the principal Act and bringing the amendment Act into operation.
Schedule 1AA clause 6: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 20 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Part 2 Provisions relating to Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018
Schedule 1AA Part 2: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 12 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
7 Interpretation
In this Part,—
LFC has the meaning set out in section 156AB
UFB contract means a contract between Crown Infrastructure Partners Limited and a UFB partner that was entered into as part of the UFB initiative
UFB partner has the meaning set out in section 156AB.
8 Public notice
(1)
A notice given, or purportedly given, by the Commission in accordance with former section 6 must be treated as having been properly given in accordance with that section.
(2)
Former section 6 continues to apply, and section 6 does not apply, in relation to a notice given, or purportedly given, in accordance with former section 6.
9 Implementation date
(1)
The Minister may, by notice at any time before the implementation date, defer the implementation date by up to 2 years if the Commission makes a written request for a deferral.
(2)
However, the Minister may defer the implementation date only once.
(3)
A notice deferring the implementation date—
(a)
must specify a new implementation date; and
(b)
is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
(4)
Subclause (5) applies if the implementation date is deferred.
(5)
During the period starting on 1 December 2019 and ending on the close of the day immediately before the new implementation date, each specified contract continues in force to the extent that it relates to any of the following:
(a)
services that Crown Infrastructure Partners Limited and a UFB partner or an LFC agreed would be offered and provided to access seekers by that UFB partner or LFC:
(b)
pricing of those services, including terms relating to maximum prices (but see subclause (6)):
(c)
service levels for those services, including service default payments and the measurement and calculation of service levels:
(d)
reporting obligations of a UFB partner or an LFC that relate to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) to (c).
(6)
A UFB partner or an LFC may, on 1 July of each year (starting on 1 July 2020), apply an annual CPI adjustment to a maximum price continued by subclause (5)(b).
(7)
In this clause,—
access seeker means a person who seeks access to a wholesale telecommunications service that is provided using, or that provides access to unbundled elements of, a fibre network
maximum price means the maximum price a UFB partner or an LFC is able, under the terms of a specified contract, to charge for providing a service
specified contract means a contract or deed (as in force immediately before 1 December 2019 and as amended from time to time) between Crown Infrastructure Partners Limited and a UFB partner or an LFC that was entered into as part of the UFB initiative.
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this clause | ||||
| Publication | The maker must publish it in the Gazette | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
10 Information disclosure under subpart 3 of Part 4AA
(1)
(2)
However, an LFC must continue to prepare and disclose information in accordance with section 156AU in respect of any disclosure period for the LFC that starts before the implementation date but ends on or after the implementation date.
(3)
In this clause, disclosure period means the period of time, set by the Commission under section 156AU, in respect of which the LFC is required to disclose information under subpart 3 of Part 4AA.
11 Application of requirement for geographically consistent pricing under section 201
(1)
This clause applies if a price for a fibre fixed line access service was agreed under a contract entered into before the commencement date.
(2)
For the period to which the price, or the price as adjusted under the contract, applies,—
(a)
section 201 does not apply in relation to the price or adjusted price; and
(b)
the price set out in the contract, with any adjustments permitted by the contract, continues to apply.
(3)
This clause ceases to apply on the date that is 3 years after the commencement date.
(4)
In this clause,—
commencement date means the date on which section 201 comes into force
the contract means the contract as at the commencement date.
12 Anchor services review before first regulatory period
(1)
Despite section 208(2)(c), if the Commission starts a review under section 208 before the start of the first regulatory period, the review must not consider the prescribed period for an anchor service.
(2)
If the Commission starts a review under section 208 before the start of the first regulatory period, the Commission must not recommend prescribing a description of the service that is, or conditions of the service that are, materially different from the terms set out in a UFB contract.
13 Procedural requirements for regulations made under section 226 before first regulatory period
Section 226(4) and (6) does not apply in relation to any regulations made under section 226(1) that come into force before the start of the first regulatory period.
14 Requirements for initial regulations made under section 227 (anchor services)
(1)
This clause applies in relation to the first regulations made under section 227.
(2)
Despite section 227(4), the Minister may recommend that regulations be made under section 227 even though the Commission has not carried out a review under section 208 or recommended that the regulations be made.
(3)
However, the Minister must not recommend that regulations be made to prescribe a description of the service that is, or conditions of the service that are, materially different from the terms set out in a UFB contract.
(4)
The Minister must not recommend the making of regulations under section 227(2)(d) unless the Minister is satisfied that the regulations will prescribe a maximum price that is based on the maximum price that may be charged for providing the service under a UFB contract, with an annual CPI adjustment mechanism.
15 Requirements for initial regulations made under section 228 (direct fibre access services)
(1)
This clause applies in relation to the first regulations made under section 228.
(2)
Despite section 228(4), the Minister may recommend that regulations be made under section 228 even though the Commission has not carried out a review under section 209 or recommended that the regulations be made.
(3)
However, the Minister must not recommend that regulations be made to prescribe a description of the service that is, or conditions of the service that are, materially different from the terms set out in a UFB contract.
16 Procedural requirements for initial regulations made under section 229 (unbundled fibre services)
Section 229(4) does not apply in relation to the first regulations made under section 229.
Part 3 Provisions relating to Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025
Schedule 1AA Part 3: inserted, on 30 March 2025, by section 180(a) of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 11).
17 Interpretation
In this Part,—
commencement date means the day after Royal assent of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025
consent process has the same meaning as in clause 1
FTTP service means a telecommunications service delivered over fibre optic media to an end-user’s premises
FTTP service provider means the owner or operator of a fibre-to-the-premises access network.
Schedule 1AA clause 17: inserted, on 30 March 2025, by section 180(a) of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 11).
Orders for FTTP services placed before commencement date
Heading: inserted, on 30 March 2025, by section 180(a) of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 11).
18 Subpart 3 of Part 4 applies if consent process not begun before commencement date
(1)
This clause applies to an FTTP service provider or a network operator and an installation of an FTTP service if—
(a)
an order for the installation was placed with a retail provider before the commencement date; and
(b)
the installation is prescribed as a category 1 or category 2 installation for the purposes of subpart 3 of Part 4.
(2)
If the consent process has not begun before the commencement date, then subpart 3 of Part 4 applies as if the order had been placed after the commencement date.
Schedule 1AA clause 18: inserted, on 30 March 2025, by section 180(a) of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 11).
Schedule 1 Designated services and specified services
ss 4, 5, 10, 19, 29, 45, 46, 49(a), 52(a), 66–68
Part 1 Preliminary
Subpart 1—Interpretation and application provisions
1 Interpretation
In this schedule, unless the context otherwise requires,—
actual costs saved means the net costs saved by supplying the service on a wholesale rather than a retail basis to the access seeker
avoided costs saved means the difference in the access provider’s costs between supplying the service on a wholesale basis only and supplying the service on both a wholesale and retail basis, including a share of retail-specific fixed costs
Chorus’s local telephone exchange means a local telephone exchange (or equivalent facility) where Chorus’s local loop network terminates, whether that local telephone exchange is owned and operated by Chorus or by any other person
forward-looking common costs—
(a)
means those costs efficiently incurred by the service provider in providing the service that are not directly attributable to providing an additional unit to that service; but
(b)
does not include any costs incurred by the service provider in relation to a TSO instrument
geographically averaged price means a price that is calculated as an average of all geographically non-averaged prices for a designated service throughout the geographical extent of New Zealand
local loop network means that part of Chorus’s copper network that connects the end-user’s building (or, where relevant, the building’s distribution frame) to the handover point in Chorus’s local telephone exchange (including where it passes through a distribution cabinet) or distribution cabinet (or equivalent facility)
third generation cellular telephone network means a cellular telephone network based on the IMT 2000 set of radio technology standards as recognised by the International Telecommunication Union
TSLRIC, in relation to a telecommunications service,—
(a)
means the forward-looking costs over the long run of the total quantity of the facilities and functions that are directly attributable to, or reasonably identifiable as incremental to, the service, taking into account the service provider’s provision of other telecommunications services; and
(b)
includes a reasonable allocation of forward-looking common costs.
Schedule 1 clause 1 Chorus’s local telephone exchange: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 68 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Schedule 1 clause 1 fixed telecommunications network: repealed, on 30 March 2025, by section 181 of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 11).
Schedule 1 clause 1 geographically averaged price: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 68 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Schedule 1 clause 1 local loop network: substituted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 68 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
2 Application of Baumol-Willig rule
(1)
To avoid doubt, the Baumol-Willig rule does not apply in respect of any applicable initial pricing principle or any applicable final pricing principle that provides for a forward-looking cost-based pricing method as a possible pricing principle.
(2)
For the purposes of subclause (1), the Baumol-Willig rule means the pricing rule known as the Baumol-Willig rule as referred to in Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Ltd v Clear Communications Ltd (1994) 6 TCLR 138, PC.
3 Application of retail price minus avoided costs saved pricing principle
(1)
In relation to a telecommunications service, in applying an applicable initial pricing principle or an applicable final pricing principle that takes a retail price for the service and subtracts any avoided costs saved by the applicable access provider of the service, the applicable access provider is not entitled to recover any of the following things in respect of those costs that form part of the avoided costs saved associated with its retail operations:
(a)
inefficiencies in the provision of the service giving rise to higher costs:
(b)
profits in excess of what would represent a reasonable return (including reasonable profit) on capital invested.
(2)
Subclause (1) is for the avoidance of doubt.
4 Application of pricing principles for designated interconnection access services
In applying an applicable initial pricing principle or an applicable final pricing principle, the Commission may choose different pricing principles for different call types of voice and data calls (including dial-up Internet data calls) or calls with significantly different characteristics for designated interconnection access services.
4A Application of pricing principles for Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network and Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access
In applying the initial pricing principle or the final pricing principle for the following designated services, the Commission must determine a geographically averaged price:
(a)
Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service:
(b)
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network service.
Schedule 1 clause 4A: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 68 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
4B Application of pricing principles for designated access services
In applying an applicable initial pricing principle or an applicable final pricing principle, the Commission must ensure that an access provider of a designated service does not recover costs that the access provider is recovering in the price of a designated or specified service provided under a determination prepared under section 27 or 30M or a designated or specified service provided on commercial terms.
Schedule 1 clause 4B: inserted, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 68 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Subpart 2—Standard access principles for designated access services and specified services
5 Standard access principles for designated access services and specified services
The following standard access principles apply to designated access services and specified services:
(a)
principle 1: the access provider must provide the service to the access seeker in a timely manner:
(b)
principle 2: the service must be supplied to a standard that is consistent with international best practice:
(c)
principle 3: the access provider must provide the service on terms and conditions (excluding price) that are consistent with those terms and conditions on which the access provider provides the service to itself:
(d)
principle 4: the access provider must, if requested, provide an access seeker with information about a designated access service or specified service at the same level of detail, and within the same time frame, that the access provider would provide that information had it been requested by one of its own business units.
Schedule 1 clause 5(d): added, on 22 December 2006, by section 56 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
6 Limits on application of standard access principles set out in clause 5
(1)
Principles 1 to 4 set out in clause 5 are limited by the following factors:
(a)
reasonable technical and operational practicability having regard to the access provider’s network:
(b)
network security and safety:
(c)
existing legal duties on the access provider to provide a defined level of service to users of the service:
(d)
the inability, or likely inability, of the access seeker to comply with any reasonable conditions on which the service is supplied:
(e)
any request for a lesser standard of service from an access seeker.
(2)
Principle 4 set out in clause 5—
(a)
does not extend to any information about identifiable individual customers of the access provider; and
(b)
is subject to the requirement that any confidential information provided to the access seeker, in accordance with that principle, must be kept confidential to that access seeker.
Schedule 1 clause 6(1): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 56 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 1 clause 6(2): added, on 22 December 2006, by section 56 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Part 2 Designated services
Subpart 1—Designated access services
| Interconnection with a fixed PSTN | |||||
| Description of service: | Origination and termination (and their associated functions) of voice and data calls (including dial-up Internet calls) on a fixed PSTN |
||||
| Conditions: | Nil | ||||
| Access provider: | A person who operates a fixed PSTN | ||||
| Access seeker: | A service provider who seeks access to the service |
||||
| Access principles: | The standard access principles set out in clause 5 |
||||
| Limits on access principles: | The limits set out in clause 6 |
||||
| Initial pricing principle: | Benchmarking against interconnection prices in comparable countries that result from the application to networks that are similar to the access provider’s fixed PSTN of— (a)a forward-looking cost-based pricing method; or (b)if the Commission considers that a forward-looking cost-based pricing method does not best give effect to the purpose set out in section 18, whichever of the following methods that the Commission considers best gives effect to that purpose: (i)a pure bill and keep method; or (ii)a pure bill and keep method applied to two-way traffic in balance (or to a specified margin of out-of-balance traffic) and a forward-looking cost-based pricing method applied to out-of-balance traffic (or traffic beyond a specified out-of-balance margin) |
||||
| Final pricing principle: | Either— (a)TSLRIC; or (b)if the Commission considers that TSLRIC does not best give effect to the purpose set out in section 18, whichever of the following methods that the Commission considers best gives effect to that purpose: (i)a pure bill and keep method; or (ii)a pure bill and keep method applied to two-way traffic in balance (or to a specified margin of out-of-balance traffic) and TSLRIC applied to out-of-balance traffic (or traffic beyond a specified out-of-balance margin) |
||||
| Requirement referred to in section 45 for final pricing principle: | If TSLRIC is the final pricing principle, the Commission must, by notice in writing, require the access provider to calculate the price payable for the service in accordance with TSLRIC and any regulations relating to that principle not later than the time specified in the notice |
||||
| Additional matters that must be considered regarding application of section 18: | In applying the initial pricing principle and final pricing principle, the Commission must consider— (a)incentives to terminate dial-up Internet traffic and other similar one-way traffic streams must be efficient; and (b)the effect of any obligation under the TSO instrument to provide price-capped unlimited calls |
||||
| Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access | |||||
| Description of service: |
A digital subscriber line enabled service (and its associated functions, including the associated functions of operational support systems) that enables access to, and interconnection with, that part of a fixed PDN that connects the end-user’s building (or, where relevant, the building’s distribution frame) to a first data switch (or equivalent facility), other than a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) To avoid doubt, unless otherwise requested by the access seeker, the supply of this service must not be conditional on a requirement that the access seeker, end-users, or any other person must purchase any other service from the access provider |
||||
| Conditions: | The end-user’s building (or, where relevant, the building’s distribution frame) is not located in a specified fibre area, and either— (a)Chorus faces limited, or is likely to face lessened, competition in a relevant market; or (b)Chorus does not face limited, or is not likely to face lessened, competition in a relevant market, and the Commission has decided to require Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access to be wholesaled in that market |
||||
| Access provider: | Chorus |
||||
| Access seeker: | A service provider who seeks access to the service |
||||
| Access principles: | The standard access principles set out in clause 5 |
||||
| Limits on access principles: | The limits set out in clause 6 and the additional limit that Chorus is only required to provide access to the trunk side of the first data switch or equivalent facility (for which purpose a DSLAM is not an equivalent facility) |
||||
| Initial pricing principle applicable before 16 December 2019: | The price for the designated access service entitled Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network plus benchmarking additional costs incurred in providing the unbundled bitstream access service against prices in comparable countries that use a forward-looking cost-based pricing method |
||||
| Final pricing principle applicable before 16 December 2019: | The price for Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network plus TSLRIC of additional costs incurred in providing the unbundled bitstream access service |
||||
| Initial pricing principle applicable on and after 16 December 2019 | The year 5 prices specified in Schedule 2 of the Commission’s standard terms determination for Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service, with an annual CPI adjustment applied on 16 December in each year |
||||
| Final pricing principle applicable on and after 16 December 2019 | The year 5 prices specified in Schedule 2 of the Commission’s standard terms determination for Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service, with an annual CPI adjustment applied on 16 December in each year |
||||
| Requirement referred to in section 45 or final pricing principle: | Nil |
||||
| Additional matters that must be considered regarding application of section 18: | The Commission must consider relativity between this service and Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network service (to the extent that terms and conditions have been determined for that service) |
||||
| Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access backhaul | |||||
| Description of service: | A service (and its associated functions, including the associated functions of operational support systems) that provides transmission capability (whether the transmission capacity is copper, fibre, or anything else) between the trunk side of a first data (or equivalent facility), other than a DSLAM, that is connected to the end-user’s building (or, where relevant, the building’s distribution frame) and the access seeker’s nearest available point of interconnection |
||||
| Conditions: | That either— (a)Chorus faces limited, or is likely to face lessened, competition in a market for transmission capacity between the first data switch (or equivalent facility) and the access seeker’s nearest available point of interconnection; or (b)Chorus does not face limited, or is not likely to face lessened, competition in a market for transmission capacity between the first data switch (or equivalent facility) and the access seeker’s nearest available point of interconnection, and the Commission has decided to require Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access to be wholesaled in that market |
||||
| Access provider: | Chorus |
||||
| Access seeker: | A service provider who seeks access to the service |
||||
| Access principles: | The standard access principles set out in clause 5 |
||||
| Limits on access principles: | The limits set out in clause 6 |
||||
| Initial pricing principle applicable before 1 January 2020: | Benchmarking against prices for similar services in comparable countries that use a forward-looking cost-based pricing method |
||||
| Final pricing principle applicable before 1 January 2020: | TSLRIC |
||||
| Initial pricing principle applicable on and after 1 January 2020 | The prices that applied as at 1 January 2020 under Schedule 2 of the Commission’s standard terms determination for Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access backhaul service, with an annual CPI adjustment applied on 1 January in each year |
||||
| Final pricing principle applicable on and after 1 January 2020 | The prices that applied as at 1 January 2020 under Schedule 2 of the Commission’s standard terms determination for Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access backhaul service, with an annual CPI adjustment applied on 1 January in each year |
||||
| Requirement referred to in section 45 or final pricing principle: | Nil |
||||
| Additional matters that must be considered regarding application of section 18: | Nil |
||||
| Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network co-location | |||||
| Description of service: |
A service (and its associated functions, including the associated functions of operational support systems) that provides co-location facilities for an access seeker’s equipment, and access to the handover point, at Chorus’s local telephone exchange or distribution cabinet (or equivalent facility) for the purposes of providing access to, and interconnection with,— (a)Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network (including any necessary supporting equipment); and (b)Chorus’s unbundled copper low frequency service (including any necessary supporting equipment) To avoid doubt, the same instance of this service can be used to support both Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network and Chorus’s unbundled copper low frequency service To avoid doubt, access seeker equipment includes the equipment of any person other than the access seeker (including any line) if that equipment is being used to support the provision of backhaul for the access seeker To avoid doubt, this service includes access to, and the use of, space in, on, or around Chorus’s local telephone exchange or distribution cabinet (or equivalent facility) for the purposes of installing and maintaining the access seeker’s equipment |
||||
| Conditions: | Nil |
||||
| Access provider: | Chorus |
||||
| Access seeker: | A service provider who seeks access to the service |
||||
| Access principles: | The standard access principles set out in clause 5 |
||||
| Limits on access principles: | The limits set out in clause 6 and the additional limit of the interests of other service providers who are co-located in the relevant facilities |
||||
| Initial pricing principle applicable before 1 January 2020: | Benchmarking against prices for similar services in comparable countries that use a forward-looking cost-based pricing method |
||||
| Final pricing principle applicable before 1 January 2020: | TSLRIC |
||||
| Initial pricing principle applicable on and after 1 January 2020 | The prices that applied as at 1 January 2020 under Schedule 2 of the Commission’s standard terms determination for Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network co-location service, with an annual CPI adjustment applied on 1 January in each year |
||||
| Final pricing principle applicable on and after 1 January 2020 | The prices that applied as at 1 January 2020 under Schedule 2 of the Commission’s standard terms determination for Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network co-location service, with an annual CPI adjustment applied on 1 January in each year |
||||
| Requirement referred to in section 45 or final pricing principle: | Nil |
||||
| Additional matters that must be considered regarding application of section 18: | Nil |
||||
| Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (telephone exchange to interconnect point) | |||||
| Description of service: |
A service (and its associated functions, including the associated functions of operational support systems) that provides transmission capacity in a network (whether the transmission capacity is copper, fibre, or anything else) between the handover point in Chorus’s local telephone exchange and the access seeker’s nearest available point of interconnection for the purposes of providing access to, and interconnection with,— (a)Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network (including any necessary supporting equipment); and (b)Chorus’s unbundled copper low frequency service (including any necessary supporting equipment) To avoid doubt, the same instance of this service can be used to support both Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network and Chorus’s unbundled copper low frequency service |
||||
| Conditions: | That either— (a)Chorus faces limited, or is likely to face lessened, competition in a market for transmission capacity between Chorus’s local telephone exchange and the access seeker’s nearest available point of interconnection; or (b)Chorus does not face limited, or is not likely to face lessened, competition in a market for transmission capacity between Chorus’s local telephone exchange and the access seeker’s nearest available point of interconnection, and the Commission has decided to require Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (telephone exchange to interconnect point) to be wholesaled in that market |
||||
| Access provider: | Chorus |
||||
| Access seeker: | A service provider who seeks access to the service |
||||
| Access principles: | The standard access principles set out in clause 5 |
||||
| Limits on access principles: | The limits set out in clause 6 |
||||
| Initial pricing principle applicable before 1 January 2020: | Benchmarking against prices for similar services in comparable countries that use a forward-looking cost-based pricing method |
||||
| Final pricing principle applicable before 1 January 2020: | TSLRIC |
||||
| Initial pricing principle applicable on and after 1 January 2020 | The prices that applied as at 1 January 2020 under Schedule 2 of the Commission’s standard terms determination for Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (telephone exchange to interconnect point) service, with an annual CPI adjustment applied on 1 January in each year |
||||
| Final pricing principle applicable on and after 1 January 2020 | The prices that applied as at 1 January 2020 under Schedule 2 of the Commission’s standard terms determination for Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (telephone exchange to interconnect point) service, with an annual CPI adjustment applied on 1 January in each year |
||||
| Requirement referred to in section 45 or final pricing principle: | Nil |
||||
| Additional matters that must be considered regarding application of section 18: | Nil |
||||
| Chorus’s unbundled copper low frequency service | |||||
| Description of service: | A service (and its associated functions, including the associated functions of operational support systems) that enables access to, and interconnection with, the low frequency (being the frequency band between 300 and 3400 Hz) in Chorus’s copper local loop network (including any relevant line in Chorus’s local telephone exchange or distribution cabinet) that connects the end-user’s building (or, where relevant, the building’s distribution frame) to the handover point in Chorus’s local telephone exchange |
||||
| Conditions |
Chorus’s unbundled copper low frequency service is only available where— (a)Chorus’s local loop that connects the end-user’s building (or, where relevant, the building’s distribution frame) to the handover point in Chorus’s local telephone exchange remains in place; and (b)the end-user’s building (or, where relevant, the building’s distribution frame) is not located in a specified fibre area To avoid doubt, there is no obligation on Chorus that Chorus’s copper network that connects a cabinet (or equivalent facility) and Chorus’s local telephone exchange remain in place or be maintained if that part of Chorus’s copper network is only being used to provide Chorus’s unbundled copper low frequency services |
||||
| Access provider: | Chorus |
||||
| Access seeker: | A service provider who seeks access to the service |
||||
| Access principles: | The standard access principles set out in clause 5 |
||||
| Limits on access principles: | The limits set out in clause 6 |
||||
| Initial pricing principle applicable before 16 December 2019: | Either— (a)the geographically averaged price for Chorus’s full unbundled copper local loop network; or (b)if a person is also purchasing Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service in relation to the relevant subscriber line, the cost of any additional elements of Chorus’s local loop network that are not recovered in the price for Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service |
||||
| Final pricing principle applicable before 16 December 2019: | Either— (a)the geographically averaged price for Chorus’s full unbundled copper local loop network; or (b)if a person is also purchasing Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service in relation to the relevant subscriber line, the TSLRIC of any additional elements of Chorus’s local loop network that are not recovered by the price for Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service |
||||
| Initial pricing principle applicable on and after 16 December 2019 | The year 5 prices specified in Schedule 2 of the Commission’s standard terms determination for Chorus’s unbundled copper low frequency service, with an annual CPI adjustment applied on 16 December in each year |
||||
| Final pricing principle applicable on and after 16 December 2019 | The year 5 prices specified in Schedule 2 of the Commission’s standard terms determination for Chorus’s unbundled copper low frequency service, with an annual CPI adjustment applied on 16 December in each year |
||||
| Requirement referred to in section 45 or final pricing principle: | Nil |
||||
| Additional matters that must be considered regarding application of section 18: | Nil |
||||
| Mobile termination access services (MTAS) | |||||
| Description of service: |
Termination (and its associated functions) on a cellular mobile telephone network of any, or any combination, of the following: (a)voice calls originating on a fixed telephone network: (b)voice calls originating on another cellular mobile telephone network: (c)short-message-service (SMS) originating on another cellular mobile telephone network For the avoidance of doubt, these services include the termination of internationally originated voice calls and SMS, and voice-over-Internet-protocol-originated voice calls, where these are handed over at a mobile switching centre in New Zealand |
||||
| Conditions: | Nil |
||||
| Access provider: | A person who operates a cellular mobile telephone network |
||||
| Access seeker: | A service provider who seeks access to the service |
||||
| Access principles: | The standard access principles set out in clause 5 |
||||
| Limits on access principles: | The limits set out in clause 6 |
||||
| Initial pricing principle: | Benchmarking against the costs of providing similar services in comparable countries that result from the application of— (a)a forward-looking cost-based methodology; or (b)if the Commission considers that a forward-looking cost-based methodology does not best give effect to the purpose set out in section 18, whichever of the following methods that the Commission considers best gives effect to that purpose: (i)a pure bill and keep method; or (ii)a pure bill and keep method applied to two-way traffic in balance (or to a specified margin of out-of-balance traffic) and a forward-looking cost-based methodology applied to out-of-balance traffic (or traffic beyond a specified out-of-balance margin) |
||||
| Final pricing principle: | Either— (a)TSLRIC; or (b)if the Commission considers that TSLRIC does not best give effect to the purpose set out in section 18, whichever of the following methods that the Commission considers best gives effect to that purpose: (i)a pure bill and keep method; or (ii)a pure bill and keep method applied to two-way traffic in balance (or to a specified margin of out-of-balance traffic) and TSLRIC applied to out-of-balance traffic (or traffic beyond a specified out-of-balance margin) |
||||
| Requirement referred to in section 45 for final pricing principle: | Nil |
||||
| Additional matters that must be considered regarding the application of section 18: | Nil |
||||
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 1: amended, on 3 September 2020, by clause 3 of the Telecommunications (Spark’s Resale Services) Order 2020 (LI 2020/182).
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 1: amended, on 1 January 2020, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 1: amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 13 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 1: amended, on 30 November 2011 (being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36), by section 68 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 1: amended, on 30 June 2011, by clause 3(2) of the Telecommunications (Retail Services and Bundle of Retail Services) Order 2011 (SR 2011/200).
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 1: amended, on 23 September 2010, by clause 3 of the Telecommunications (Mobile Termination Access Services) Order 2010 (SR 2010/262).
Subpart 2—Designated multinetwork services
| Local telephone number portability service | |||||
| Description of service: | A service that enables an end-user of a fixed telephone network service to change providers of that service but to retain the same telephone number within a local calling area |
||||
| Conditions: | Nil | ||||
| Access provider: | Every person who operates— (a)a PSTN to which numbers have been allocated; and (b)a telephone service that relates to that number portability service |
||||
| Access seeker: | Any person who— (a)operates a PSTN to which numbers have been allocated; and (b)operates a telephone service that relates to that number portability service; and (c)seeks access to that number portability service |
||||
| Cellular telephone number portability service | |||||
| Description of service: | A service that enables an end-user of a cellular telephone network service to change providers of that service but to retain the same telephone number (including the same cellular network access code) |
||||
| Conditions: | Nil | ||||
| Access provider: | Every person who operates— (a)a PSTN to which numbers have been allocated; and (b)a telephone service that relates to that number portability service |
||||
| Access seeker: | Any person who— (a)operates a PSTN to which numbers have been allocated; and (b)operates a telephone service that relates to that number portability service; and (c)seeks access to that number portability service |
||||
|
National toll-free telephone number portability service [Expired] | |||||
|
Telecom’s fixed PSTN to mobile carrier pre-selection service [Expired] | |||||
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 2 Access to, and interconnection with, Telecom’s fixed PDN: repealed, on 22 December 2006, by section 56 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 2 Bundle of retail services offered by means of Telecom’s fixed telecommunications network: substituted, on 8 January 2004, by clause 3 of the Telecommunications (Initial Pricing Principle) Order 2003 (SR 2003/357).
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 2 Interconnection with fixed PSTN other than Telecom’s: amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 56 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 2 National toll-free telephone number portability service: expired, on 21 December 2006, by section 65(1)(a).
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 2 Telecom’s fixed PDN backhaul: repealed, on 22 December 2006, by section 56 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 2 Telecom’s fixed PSTN to mobile carrier pre-selection service: expired, on 21 December 2006, by section 65(1)(a).
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 2 Telecom’s unbundled bitstream access: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 56 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 2 Telecom’s unbundled bitstream access backhaul: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 56 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 2 Telecom’s unbundled copper local loop network: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 56 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 2 Telecom’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (distribution cabinet to telephone exchange): inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 56 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 2 Telecom’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (telephone exchange to interconnect point): inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 56 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 1 Part 2 subpart 2 Telecom’s unbundled copper local loop network co-location: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 56 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Part 3 Specified services
| National Roaming | |||||
| Description of service: | A service (and its associated functions) that enables transmission of cellular mobile traffic by means of the access provider’s cellular mobile telephone network between (but not including) the cellular mobile device of the access seeker’s end-user and the access seeker’s handover point (or equivalent facility) and that enables an end-user who subscribes to an access seeker’s cellular mobile service to use services (except value-added services) within the area where the access provider has a cellular mobile telephone network, but which is outside the coverage area of the access seeker’s cellular mobile telephone network |
||||
| Conditions: | All of the following: (a)the access seeker must have rolled out a cellular mobile telephone network that— (i)comprises at least 100 cellsites (each of which provides wide area coverage and delivers cellular mobile services to both outdoor and indoor areas and where service in areas of coverage of that cellsite will be lost if the cellsite is switched off); or (ii)covers at least 10% of the New Zealand population: (b)the cellular mobile telephone networks of the access seeker and the access provider must be technically compatible and be able to interconnect with each other: (c)the Commission must have approved a plan for the access seeker. That plan must include— (i)the establishment of roll-out milestones to be met by the access seeker to continue to access the national roaming service; and (ii)provision for roll-out of a cellular mobile telephone network that provides cellular mobile services to at least 65% of the New Zealand population: (d)the Commission must be satisfied that the access seeker has the capability to comply with the agreed network roll-out plan: (e)the services (other than value-added services) for which transmission is sought must each be offered by the access provider to its end-users and be generally available to the access seeker’s end-users from the access seeker’s own cellular mobile telephone network (that is, the effect of roaming must be to increase the coverage area for the access seeker’s end-users) |
||||
| Access provider: | A cellular mobile telephone network operator who operates a cellular mobile telephone network |
||||
| Access seeker: | A cellular mobile telephone network operator (except Spark or Vodafone New Zealand Limited or their successors or subsidiaries) that holds sufficient radio spectrum rights to enable that operator to roll out a cellular mobile telephone network that provides cellular mobile services to at least 65% of the New Zealand population |
||||
| Access principles: | The standard access principles set out in clause 5 |
||||
| Limits on access principles: | The limits set out in clause 6 and additional limits, which must be set by taking the following matters into account: (a)whether the access provider has, for each relevant cellsite within an area, sufficient available capacity to provide the service, taking into account its reasonable anticipated requirements for capacity at that cellsite: (b)all legal requirements and all existing contractual obligations that the access provider has with third parties: (c)the requirement on the access provider to provide the service to the access seeker will cease on the earlier of— (i)any failure by the access seeker to comply with the agreed network roll-out plan, as determined by the Commission; or (ii)any other events specified by the Commission in its determination |
||||
| Additional matters that must be considered regarding application of section 18: | The Commission must establish roll-out milestones and roll-out thresholds that ensure that the access seeker has strong incentives to roll out its cellular mobile telephone network in an efficient and timely manner |
||||
| Co-location on cellular mobile transmission sites | |||||
| Description of service: | A service that enables co-location of cellular mobile telephone network transmission and reception equipment (including any necessary supporting equipment on or with the following facilities (relevant facilities)): (a)any towers, poles, masts, or other similar structures— (i)that are used for the transmission or reception of telecommunications via a cellular mobile telephone network; and (ii)that are owned, managed, or leased by the access provider: (b)all sites, buildings, or utility services that are associated with the kinds of structures referred to in paragraph (a) |
||||
| Conditions: | Nil | ||||
| Access provider: | Every person who operates a cellular mobile telephone network |
||||
| Access seeker: | Any person who— (a)operates, or is likely to operate, a cellular mobile telephone network; and (b)seeks access to the service |
||||
| Access principles: | The standard access principles set out in clause 5 |
||||
| Limits on access principles: | The limits set out in clause 6 and additional limits, which must be set by taking the following matters into account: (a)the access provider’s current and reasonable forecast requirements for capacity on the relevant facilities: (b)the management of existing or potential radio spectrum interference arising from use of the relevant facilities: (c)all relevant requirements under the Resource Management Act 1991: (d)all relevant health and safety requirements under any enactment: (e)all existing contractual obligations to third parties, including lessors of land on which relevant facilities are located: (f)the interests of third parties who use the relevant facilities |
||||
| Additional matters that must be considered regarding application of section 18: | Nil | ||||
|
Co-location of equipment for fixed telecommunications services at sites used by Broadcast Communications Limited [Expired] | |||||
Schedule 1 Part 3 Co-location of equipment for fixed telecommunications services at sites used by Broadcast Communications Limited: expired, on 21 December 2006, by section 65(1)(a).
Schedule 1 Part 3 Co-location on cellular mobile transmission sites: amended, on 23 December 2023, by section 6 of the Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023 (2023 No 68).
Schedule 1 Part 3 National Roaming: substituted, on 11 September 2008, by clause 3 of the Telecommunications (National Roaming) Order 2008 (SR 2008/251).
Schedule 1 Part 3 National Roaming: amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 37(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Schedule 2 Telecommunications access codes
Contents
Part 1 Telecommunications access codes prepared by Forum
Schedule 2 Part 1 heading: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
1 Forum may prepare code
(1)
The Forum may, on its own initiative or if invited to do so by the Commission, prepare 1 or more telecommunications access codes for approval by the Commission.
(2)
The Commission may issue guidelines to the Forum on any matters relating to telecommunications access codes, including advice on what matters are appropriately dealt with by those codes.
Schedule 2 clause 1(2): added, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
2 Requirements for draft codes for designated access services and specified services
(1)
A draft code for 1 or more designated access services or specified services may only provide for procedures, requirements, and other matters, not inconsistent with this Act, that relate to an aspect or aspects of the supply of that service or those services.
(2)
A draft code to which subclause (1) applies must—
(a)
be consistent with applicable access principles and any regulations made in respect of the applicable access principles; and
(b)
be consistent with the purpose set out in section 18; and
(c)
comply with the Commerce Act 1986; and
(d)
not directly provide for the implementation of initial and final pricing principles and any regulations relating to those principles.
Schedule 2 clause 2(1): substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
3 Requirements for draft codes for designated multi-network services
(1)
A draft code for 1 or more designated multi-network services may only provide for procedures, requirements, and other matters, not inconsistent with this Act, in respect of—
(a)
the functions that must be performed by a system for determining the service:
(b)
the standard to which those functions must be performed.
(2)
A draft code to which subclause (1) applies must—
(a)
be consistent with the purpose set out in section 18; and
(b)
comply with the Commerce Act 1986; and
(c)
not directly provide for the apportionment of the cost of delivering the service between the access seeker and all access providers of the service.
3A Requirements for draft codes for services supplied under registered undertaking
(1)
A draft code for 1 or more services supplied under a registered undertaking may only provide for procedures, requirements, and other matters, not inconsistent with this Act, that relate to an aspect or aspects of the supply of that service or those services.
(2)
A draft code to which subclause (1) applies must—
(a)
be consistent with the purpose set out in section 18; and
(b)
comply with the Commerce Act 1986; and
(c)
not provide for any matter relating to the price of the service.
Schedule 2 clause 3A: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
4 Forum must arrange referendum on draft code
(1)
Before a draft code is submitted to the Commission for approval, the Forum must hold a referendum on the draft code.
(2)
The Forum must take all practicable steps to invite, for the purpose of voting on a draft code, all eligible persons who are, in the opinion of the Commission, affected or likely to be affected by the draft code.
(3)
The Forum may otherwise determine the way in which the referendum is conducted.
(3A)
All eligible persons who are, in the opinion of the Commission, affected or likely to be affected by the draft code may vote in the referendum.
(4)
The following persons are entitled to register with the Commission as eligible persons:
(a)
a person who provides a telecommunications service by means of some component of a PTN that is operated by that person:
(b)
an access seeker or access provider of—
(i)
a designated service or specified service; or
(ii)
a service supplied under a registered undertaking:
(c)
any other person whom the Commission determines has a material interest in a draft code because that person is about to become, within the foreseeable future, a person referred to in paragraph (a) or (b).
(5)
A person entitled to register with the Commission under subclause (4) may be a member of the Forum for the purposes of this Act.
Schedule 2 clause 4(2): substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 2 clause 4(3): substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 2 clause 4(3A): inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 2 clause 4(4): substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 2 clause 4(4)(a): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
5 Draft code may be submitted to Commission
The Forum may submit to the Commission a draft code, along with a statement—
(a)
that identifies the designated service or specified service to which the draft code applies; and
(b)
that identifies every relevant applicable access principle; and
(c)
(d)
that either the draft code—
(i)
has the support of all eligible persons who voted on the draft code; or
(ii)
is supported by at least 75% of eligible persons who voted on the draft code; and
(e)
that identifies any cost implications in relation to the draft code; and
(f)
that indicates how any cost will be apportioned between eligible persons to whom the draft code applies; and
(g)
that sets out how the apportionment is consistent with the purpose set out in section 18.
Schedule 2 clause 5(c): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 2 clause 5(d): substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
6 Commission must consider whether consultation on draft code is needed
(1)
The Commission must make reasonable efforts to consider whether or not consultation on the draft code is needed not later than 10 working days after the date on which the Commission received the draft code.
(2)
The Commission need not do any of the things set out in clause 7(1) if the Commission is satisfied that the Forum has—
(a)
published a notice of the draft code, or caused a notice of the draft code to be published, in the Gazette; and
(b)
at all reasonable times, made the draft code available for inspection on the Forum’s website in an electronic form that is publicly accessible; and
(c)
included in the notice of the draft code the closing date for submissions, which must not be later than 20 working days after the date of giving the notice in the Gazette; and
(d)
given to the Commission copies of all submissions on the draft report.
7 Consultation process on draft code
(1)
Immediately after the Commission considers that consultation on the draft code is needed, the Commission—
(a)
may request the Forum to consult with any person or group specified by the Commission:
(b)
must consult with every eligible person who has voted against the draft code; and
(c)
must give public notice of the draft code.
(2)
A person is entitled to make submissions to the Commission not later than 20 working days after the date on which public notice of the draft code is given.
8 Variation of draft code
(1AA)
This clause applies if the draft code has been prepared by the Forum under clause 1.
(1)
The Commission must make reasonable efforts to consider whether or not the draft code meets all of the requirements set out in clause 2 or clause 3 or clause 3A (as the case may require) at least 20, but not later than 40, working days after the closing date for submissions under clause 7(2).
(2)
If the Commission considers that the draft code does not meet all of the requirements set out in clause 2 or clause 3 or clause 3A (as the case may require), the Commission—
(a)
must not approve the draft code; and
(b)
must return to the Forum the draft code, along with the Commission’s reasons why the draft code does not meet a particular requirement; and
(c)
must, if the draft code does not comply with the Commerce Act 1986, advise the Forum that an authorisation granted by the Commission in accordance with that Act is needed before the draft code may be approved under this Act.
(3)
If the Forum resubmits the draft code to the Commission, clauses 1 to 7 and subclauses (1) and (2) again apply to the resubmitted code.
Schedule 2 clause 8(1AA): inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 2 clause 8(1): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 2 clause 8(2): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
9 When Commission must approve draft code
[Repealed]Schedule 2 clause 9: repealed, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
10 Commission’s discretion to approve draft code
The Commission may approve a draft code if the Commission is satisfied that—
(a)
(b)
all the consultation referred to in clause 7(1) has been carried out; and
(c)
[Repealed]Schedule 2 clause 10(a): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 2 clause 10(c): repealed, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
10A Commission must refuse to approve draft code in certain cases
Despite clauses 9 and 10, the Commission must refuse to approve a draft code if it is satisfied that the draft code deals with a matter that is more appropriately dealt with in—
(a)
a determination under section 27; or
(b)
a standard terms determination under section 30M; or
(c)
a designated multinetwork service determination under section 39.
Schedule 2 clause 10A: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
10B Amendment of draft code
(1)
(2)
The Commission may prepare, or request the Forum to prepare, a specific amendment to the draft code to ensure that it meets all of those requirements.
(3)
If the Commission prepares the amendment, the Commission must—
(a)
ensure that the consultation referred to in clause 7(1) has been carried out on the amended draft code; and
(b)
decide, as soon as practicable after paragraph (a) has been complied with, whether to approve the amended draft code under clause 10.
Schedule 2 clause 10B: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
11 Expiry of approved code
(1)
An approved code expires, in whole or part (as the case may be), on the revocation of the relevant applicable access principle.
(2)
An approved code expires on the revocation or expiry of the designated service or specified service to which the approved code applies.
12 Revocation of approved codes
(1)
The Commission must, on the request of all eligible persons, revoke an approved code.
(2)
The Commission may revoke an approved code if—
(a)
requested to do so by 75% of eligible persons who voted on the approved code; and
(3)
Despite subclause (2), the Commission may revoke an approved code if it is satisfied that to do so best gives, or is likely to best give, effect to the purpose set out in section 18.
Schedule 2 clause 12(2)(a): substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 2 clause 12(2)(b): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 2 clause 12(3): added, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
13 Amendment of approved codes
An approved code may be—
(a)
amended in the same manner that it was approved; or
(b)
amended by the Commission in accordance with clause 14.
14 Amendment of approved code initiated by Commission
(1)
(2)
The Commission may request the Forum to prepare a specific amendment to an approved code for submission to it within a specified time.
(3)
If the Forum complies with the Commission’s request under subclause (2), the same procedure that applies to draft codes must be followed.
Schedule 2 clause 14(1): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
15 Consequences of not complying with Commission’s request under clause 14(2)
(1)
If the Forum does not comply within a reasonable period with the Commission’s request under clause 14(2), the Commission may prepare the amendment.
(2)
If the Commission prepares the amendment, the Commission must—
(a)
(b)
approve the amendment as soon as practicable after paragraph (a) has been complied with.
Schedule 2 clause 15(2)(a)(i): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
16 Status of approved codes
(1)
The following are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements):
(a)
an approved code:
(b)
any amendment of an approved code that is approved by the Commission:
(c)
any revocation of an approved code.
(2)
That Act applies as if—
(a)
the Commission were the maker of an approved code or amendment; and
(b)
the code or amendments were made by the Commission approving it.
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation referred to in subclause (1) | ||||
| Publication | The maker must give public notice in accordance with section 6 | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Schedule 2 clause 16: replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Part 2 Telecommunications access codes prepared by Commission
Schedule 2 Part 2: added, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
17 Commission may prepare code
(1)
The Commission may, on its own initiative, prepare 1 or more telecommunications access codes in relation to any matter that is not already provided for by an approved code.
(2)
This clause does not limit clause 1.
(3)
(4)
A code under this clause, and any amendment or revocation of it, is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this clause | ||||
| Publication | The maker must give public notice in accordance with section 6 | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Schedule 2 clause 17: added, on 22 December 2006, by section 57 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 2 clause 17(3): amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Schedule 2 clause 17(4): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Schedule 2A Copper withdrawal code
Schedule 2A: inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 14 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
1 Copper withdrawal code
(1)
The Commission, or the Forum if requested to do so by the Commission, must prepare a code to be known as the copper withdrawal code, setting out minimum consumer protection requirements for end-users of the following:
(a)
copper fixed line access services in areas that are, or will become, specified fibre areas:
(b)
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network:
(c)
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (distribution cabinet to telephone exchange).
(2)
The code must be prepared before the implementation date.
(3)
The minimum requirements that the code must include are that, before Chorus is permitted to stop supplying a copper service under section 69AC or 69AD,—
(a)
the end-user in relation to the service must be able to—
(i)
access a fibre service; and
(ii)
have a connection to the fibre service installed—
(A)
within a reasonable time frame; and
(B)
whether the connection is standard or non-standard, at no cost to the end-user; and
(b)
Chorus must give the end-user, the access seeker, and the relevant fibre service provider reasonable notice of the proposed withdrawal of the copper service; and
(c)
the functionality provided by the services that are to be withdrawn must, apart from legacy services, be available to the end-user over a fibre service; and
(d)
Chorus must provide the end-user with information about—
(i)
the withdrawal of the copper services; and
(ii)
the need to make alternative arrangements, such as battery backup, to maintain the fibre service in the event of a power failure; and
(e)
Chorus must, if it is reasonably practicable to do so, provide the end-user with information about the fibre services available to the end-user; and
(f)
if an anchor service is declared under section 227, the anchor service (or a commercial equivalent) must be available at the end-user’s premises; and
(g)
a Commission 111 contact code must be in force; and
(h)
any other prescribed matters must be complied with.
(4)
The code may contain any other provisions that the Commission or the Forum (as appropriate) considers are necessary or desirable.
(5)
In this clause,—
anchor service has the meaning set out in section 164(1)
fibre service means—
(a)
a fibre fixed line access service; or
(b)
a telecommunications service provided over a fibre-to-the-premises access network
legacy service means the services (if any) specified in the copper withdrawal code as legacy services
standard connection and non-standard connection have the meanings set out in section 155ZU.
2 Consultation process on code
(1)
The Commission or the Forum (as appropriate) must—
(a)
notify the process that will be followed to make the code; and
(b)
consult with interested persons; and
(c)
give public notice of a draft code.
(2)
A person is entitled to make submissions to the Commission or the Forum (as appropriate) before the date that is 30 working days after the date on which public notice of the draft code is given (the due date).
(3)
The Commission or the Forum (as appropriate) must have regard to any submissions received before the due date.
3 Commission’s discretion to approve draft code
The Commission may approve a draft code if the Commission is satisfied that the draft code meets all the requirements set out in this Act.
4 Amendment of approved code initiated by Commission
(1)
The Commission may prepare an amendment to the approved code or revoke the approved code if the Commission considers that the approved code no longer meets all the requirements set out in this Act.
5 Status of approved code
(1)
An approved code under this Schedule, or an amendment or revocation of the code, is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
(2)
That Act applies as if—
(a)
the Commission were the maker of the approved code; and
(b)
the code was made by the Commission approving it.
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation referred to in subclause (1) | ||||
| Publication | The maker must give public notice in accordance with section 6 | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| Presentation | It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It is not disallowable because an exemption applies under Schedule 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 115(d), Sch 3 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Schedule 2A clause 5: replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
Schedule 3 Procedure for altering regulated services
Contents
Part 1 Procedure for designated services or specified services (except specified services that are to become designated services)
1 Commission’s investigation
(1)
The Commission may, on its own initiative or if requested to do so in writing by the Minister, commence an investigation into whether or not Schedule 1 should be altered in any of the ways set out in section 66 or 67 (the proposed alteration) if the Commission is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for an investigation into the matter.
(2)
If an investigation has been requested by the Minister and the requirements set out in subclause (1) have been met, the Commission must commence the investigation not later than 10 working days after receiving the Minister’s written request.
(3)
Despite subclause (1), the Commission must consider, at intervals of not more than 5 years after the date on which a designated service or specified service came into force, whether there are reasonable grounds for commencing an investigation into whether the service should be omitted from Schedule 1 under section 66(1)(b).
(4)
[Repealed](5)
If the Commission decides that there are reasonable grounds for commencing an investigation into whether a designated service or specified service should be omitted from Schedule 1 under section 66(1)(b), the Commission must commence the investigation not later than 15 working days after making that decision.
(6)
The Commission must give public notice of the commencement of an investigation under this clause.
(7)
This clause is subject to sections 69AH, 156AP, and 211.
(8)
Subclause (3) does not apply in relation to the following:
(a)
copper fixed line access services:
(b)
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network co-location:
(c)
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (telephone exchange to interconnect point):
(d)
Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access backhaul.
Schedule 3 clause 1: substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 58 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 3 clause 1(3): editorial change made by the PCO, on 27 May 2025, under sections 86(1) and 87(l)(iii) of the Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 58).
Schedule 3 clause 1(4): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 15(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Schedule 3 clause 1(5): editorial change made by the PCO, on 27 May 2025, under sections 86(1) and 87(l)(iii) of the Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 58).
Schedule 3 clause 1(7): added, on 1 July 2011, by section 88 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Schedule 3 clause 1(7): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 15(2) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Schedule 3 clause 1(8): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 15(3) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
2 Draft report
(1)
After public notice of the investigation has been given, the Commission must—
(a)
prepare a draft report; and
(b)
give public notice of the draft report; and
(c)
include in the public notice—
(i)
the closing date for submissions, which must not be later than 20 working days after the date of giving public notice; and
(ii)
the date of any public hearing to be held under clause 3.
(2)
The draft report must—
(a)
include the detail of the proposed alteration; and
(b)
identify any recommendations that the Commission considers to be sufficiently related to each other that they ought to be considered together.
Schedule 3 clause 2(2): substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 58 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
3 Conferences or public hearing
(1)
The Commission may do either of the following things not later than 10 working days after the closing date for submissions:
(a)
hold conferences in relation to the proposed alteration:
(b)
hold a public hearing in relation to the proposed alteration if the Commission is satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so.
(2)
The Commission may invite a person who has a material interest in the proposed alteration to attend a conference held under subclause (1).
(3)
[Repealed]Schedule 3 clause 3(1): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 15(4) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Schedule 3 clause 3(3): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 15(5) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
4 Final report of recommendation of Commission
(1)
The Commission must do the following things not later than 240 working days after the date of giving public notice under clause 1(6):
(a)
prepare a final report regarding the proposed alteration:
(b)
deliver the report to the Minister.
(2)
In preparing the final report, the Commission must consider—
(a)
all submissions made on the draft report; and
(b)
all information and opinions presented or expressed at the public hearing (if any) on the draft report.
(3)
A final report must include—
(a)
the detail of the proposed alteration; and
(b)
a recommendation by the Commission as to—
(i)
whether or not the proposed alteration should be made:
(ii)
in the case of a proposed alteration to a designated service, whether or not the Minister’s decision regarding the proposed alteration should be deferred for any period that the Commission thinks fit; and
(c)
the reasons for the Commission’s recommendation; and
(d)
the majority view and any dissenting views of the members of the Commission regarding the recommendation.
(4)
The Commission may, if it thinks fit, identify any recommendations included in the final report that it considers to be sufficiently related to each other that they ought to be considered together by the Minister.
(4A)
A failure by the Commission to comply with subclause (1) does not invalidate a final report prepared by the Commission.
(5)
This clause is subject to section 156AP.
Schedule 3 clause 4(1): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 15(6) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Schedule 3 clause 4(1): amended, on 22 December 2006, by section 58 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 3 clause 4(3)(d): substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 26(1) of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
Schedule 3 clause 4(4): added, on 22 December 2006, by section 58 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 3 clause 4(4A): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 15(7) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Schedule 3 clause 4(5): added, on 1 July 2011, by section 88 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
5 Commission must give written reasons for not meeting time limit
[Repealed]Schedule 3 clause 5: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 15(8) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
5A Minister may request clarification of final report
(1)
After receiving a final report under clause 4, the Minister may request that the Commission—
(a)
clarify any aspect of the report:
(b)
provide any additional information that is necessary to understand the nature and implications of the Commission’s recommendations that are included in the final report.
(2)
The Commission must comply with a request made under subclause (1) within a period and in a manner agreed between the Commission and the Minister.
(3)
Subclause (1) does not authorise the Minister to require the Commission to undertake any further analysis of, or investigation into, any matter included in the final report.
Schedule 3 clause 5A: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 58 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
6 Decision by Minister on Commission’s recommendations
(1)
In considering a final report under clause 4, the Minister must—
(a)
consider together any recommendations that the Commission has, under clause 4(4), identified in its final report to be sufficiently related to each other (a set of related recommendations); and
(b)
consider separately any other recommendations.
(2)
The Minister may—
(a)
accept or reject—
(i)
each set of related recommendations:
(ii)
each of the other recommendations:
(b)
require the Commission to reconsider, for any reasons specified by the Minister,—
(i)
any set of related recommendations or any aspect of that set of related recommendations:
(ii)
any of the other recommendations or any aspect of those other recommendations.
Schedule 3 clause 6: substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 58 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
7 Deferral of Minister’s decision
(1)
If the Minister accepts the Commission’s recommendation that the Minister’s decision be deferred for any period that the Commission thinks fit,—
(a)
the Minister must refer the recommendation back to the Commission for a report after the end of the period on whether the recommendation should be amended; and
(b)
the Commission must, after the end of that period,—
(i)
prepare a draft report stating that the period has expired and setting out any amendments it wishes to make to the recommendation; or
(ii)
prepare a final report that includes a recommendation that the Minister should accept an undertaking under Schedule 3A and deliver that report to the Minister.
(2)
If subclause (1)(b)(i) applies, the Commission must also—
(a)
give public notice of the draft report; and
(b)
include in the public notice the closing date for submissions, which must not be later than 20 working days after the date of giving public notice; and
(c)
prepare, as soon as is reasonably practicable after the closing date for submissions, a final report to the Minister that contains the matters set out in the draft report and summarises, and makes recommendations on, the submissions received on the draft report.
(3)
Clause 6 again applies to the report referred to in subclause (1)(b)(ii) or (2)(c), as the case may be.
Schedule 3 clause 7: substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 58 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 3 clause 7(1)(a): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 15(9) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Schedule 3 clause 7(1)(b): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 15(10) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Part 2 Procedure for specified services to become designated services
8 Commission’s investigation
(1)
The Commission may, on its own initiative or if requested to do so in writing by the Minister, commence an investigation into whether or not Schedule 1 should be altered by—
(a)
omitting a telecommunications service from Part 3 (the proposed omission); and
(b)
adding it to Part 2 (the proposed addition).
(2)
The Commission may commence an investigation only if it is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for it.
(3)
If an investigation has been requested by the Minister and the requirement set out in subclause (2) has been met, the Commission must commence the investigation not later than 10 working days after receiving the Minister’s written request.
(4)
The Commission must give public notice of the commencement of the investigation.
9 Draft report
(1)
After public notice of the investigation has been given, the Commission must—
(a)
prepare a draft report; and
(b)
give public notice of the draft report; and
(c)
include in the public notice—
(i)
the closing date for submissions, which must not be later than 15 working days after the date of giving public notice; and
(ii)
the date of any public hearing to be held under clause 10.
(2)
The draft report must include the detail of the proposed omission and addition.
10 Conferences or public hearing
(1)
The Commission may do either of the following things not later than 10 working days after the closing date for submissions:
(a)
hold conferences in relation to the proposed omission and addition:
(b)
hold a public hearing in relation to the proposed omission and addition if the Commission is satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so.
(2)
The Commission may invite a person who has a material interest in the proposed omission and addition to attend a conference held under subclause (1).
Schedule 3 clause 10(1): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 15(11) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
11 Final report of recommendation of Commission
(1)
The Commission must do the following things not later than 120 working days after the date of giving public notice under clause 8(4):
(a)
prepare a final report regarding the proposed omission and addition:
(b)
deliver the report to the Minister.
(2)
In preparing the final report, the Commission must consider—
(a)
all submissions made on the draft report; and
(b)
all information and opinions presented or expressed at the public hearing (if any) on the draft report.
(3)
A final report must include—
(a)
the detail of the proposed omission and addition; and
(b)
a recommendation by the Commission as to—
(i)
whether or not the proposed omission and addition should be made:
(ii)
whether or not the Minister’s decision regarding the proposed omission and addition should be deferred for any period that the Commission thinks fit; and
(c)
the reasons for the Commission’s recommendation; and
(d)
the views of 2 members of the Commission (other than the Telecommunications Commissioner) regarding the recommendation.
(4)
The Commission may, if it thinks fit, identify any recommendations included in the final report that it considers to be sufficiently related to each other that they ought to be considered together by the Minister.
(5)
A failure by the Commission to comply with subclause (1) does not invalidate a final report prepared by the Commission.
Schedule 3 clause 11(1): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 15(12) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Schedule 3 clause 11(4): added, on 22 December 2006, by section 58 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 3 clause 11(5): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 15(13) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
12 Commission must give written reasons for not meeting time limit
[Repealed]Schedule 3 clause 12: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 15(14) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
12A Minister may request clarification of final report
(1)
After receiving a final report under clause 11, the Minister may request that the Commission—
(a)
clarify any aspect of the report:
(b)
provide any additional information that is necessary to understand the nature and implications of the Commission’s recommendations that are included in the final report.
(2)
The Commission must comply with a request made under subclause (1) within a period and in a manner agreed between the Commission and the Minister.
(3)
Subclause (1) does not authorise the Minister to require the Commission to undertake any further analysis of, or investigation into, any matter included in the final report.
Schedule 3 clause 12A: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 58 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
13 Decision by Minister on Commission’s recommendations
(1)
In considering a final report under clause 11, the Minister must—
(a)
consider together any recommendations that the Commission has, under clause 11(4), identified in its final report to be sufficiently related to each other (a set of related recommendations); and
(b)
consider separately any other recommendations.
(2)
The Minister may—
(a)
accept or reject—
(i)
each set of related recommendations:
(ii)
each of the other recommendations:
(b)
require the Commission to reconsider, for any reasons specified by the Minister,—
(i)
any set of related recommendations or any aspect of that set of related recommendations:
(ii)
any of the other recommendations or any aspect of those other recommendations.
(3)
If the Commission makes a recommendation in the final report that the proposed omission and addition should be made, the Minister must make a decision under subclause (2) within 6 months after—
(a)
the date on which the Minister receives that report; or
(b)
as the case may be, the date on which the Commission complies with a request under clause 12A.
Schedule 3 clause 13: substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 58 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
14 Deferral of Minister’s decision
(1)
If the Minister accepts the Commission’s recommendation that the Minister’s decision be deferred for any period that the Commission thinks fit,—
(a)
the Minister must refer the recommendation back to the Commission for a report at the end of the period on whether the recommendation should be amended; and
(b)
the Commission must, at the end of that period,—
(i)
prepare a draft report stating that the period has expired and setting out any amendments it wishes to make to the recommendation; or
(ii)
prepare a final report that includes a recommendation that the Minister should accept an undertaking under Schedule 3A and deliver that report to the Minister.
(2)
If subclause (1)(b)(i) applies, the Commission must also—
(a)
give public notice of the draft report; and
(b)
include in the public notice the closing date for submissions, which must not be later than 20 working days after the date of giving public notice; and
(c)
prepare, as soon as is reasonably practicable after the closing date for submissions, a final report to the Minister that contains the matters set out in the draft report and summarises, and makes recommendations on, the submissions received on the draft report.
(3)
Clause 6 applies to the report referred to in subclause (1)(b)(ii) or (2)(c), as the case may be.
Schedule 3 clause 14: substituted, on 22 December 2006, by section 58 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Schedule 3A Undertakings
Schedule 3A: inserted, on 22 December 2006, by section 59 of the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83).
Contents
Preliminary
1 Interpretation
In this schedule, unless the context otherwise requires,—
proposed addition has the meaning set out in clause 8(1)(b) of Schedule 3
proposed alteration has the meaning set out in clause 1(1) of Schedule 3
proposed omission has the meaning set out in clause 8(1)(a) of Schedule 3
proposed regulatory change means—
(a)
a proposed alteration; or
(b)
as the case may be,—
(i)
a proposed omission:
(ii)
a proposed addition
register means the register of undertakings established and maintained by the Commission under clause 10(1)
registered undertaking means an undertaking that is entered in the register
service means the telecommunications service to which either or both of the following relate:
(a)
a proposed regulatory change:
(b)
an undertaking
undertaking has the meaning set out in clause 3.
Purpose of clauses 3 to 16
2 Purpose of clauses 3 to 16
The purpose of clauses 3 to 16 is to provide, as an alternative to a proposed regulatory change, a mechanism for an access provider to supply a service to all access seekers—
(a)
on a voluntary basis that avoids the need for regulation; and
(b)
on terms and conditions agreed between the access provider and the Commission.
Acceptance and registration of undertakings
3 Commission may accept undertaking
(1)
While the Commission is considering a proposed regulatory change, the Commission may accept an offer from an access provider to supply a service to all access seekers on the terms and conditions of a written undertaking (an undertaking).
(2)
If the Commission accepts an undertaking, a final report may include—
(a)
a recommendation by the Commission that the Minister should accept the undertaking; and
(b)
any of the following recommendations by the Commission:
(i)
that the proposed regulatory change should be made:
(ii)
that the proposed regulatory change should not be made:
(iii)
that the Minister’s decision on the proposed regulatory change should be deferred.
(3)
However, an undertaking that the Commission accepts under subclause (2) has no legal effect unless it is registered under clause 6.
4 Criteria for undertaking
The Commission must not make a recommendation under clause 3(2) unless the Commission is satisfied that the undertaking—
(a)
complies with this Act and any regulations made under this Act; and
5 Requirements for undertaking
(1)
An undertaking must—
(a)
be signed or executed by the relevant access provider; and
(b)
specify the terms and conditions of the supply of the service; and
(c)
specify the date by which those terms or conditions must be complied with by the relevant access provider; and
(d)
specify a mechanism for the resolution by the Commission or a suitably qualified and experienced independent person of any issues or disputes that arise after the undertaking is registered; and
(e)
provide for any other prescribed matters.
(2)
An undertaking must not be amended.
Schedule 3A clause 5(2): amended, on 13 November 2018, by section 16(1) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
6 Commission must register undertaking if Minister accepts Commission’s recommendation
If the Minister accepts the Commission’s recommendation that the Minister should accept an undertaking, the Commission must—
(a)
enter in the register—
(i)
the name of the relevant access provider; and
(ii)
any other information specified in clause 12; and
(b)
give written notice of the registration to the relevant access provider; and
(c)
give public notice of the registration.
7 Expiry of registration of undertaking
(1)
The registration of an undertaking is effective for—
(a)
a period of 5 years from the date of registration; and
(b)
any further period that the Commission and the relevant access provider may agree.
(2)
The Commission must consult with every person who has a material interest in the matter before agreeing to a further period under subclause (1)(b).
(3)
Despite subclause (1), the Commission may make a recommendation in the final report to the Minister that, having regard to the matters specified in subclause (4), the registration of an undertaking should expire earlier than the 5-year period referred to in subclause (1).
(4)
The matters are—
(a)
the reasonable needs of potential access seekers; and
(b)
the commercial lifetime of the service delivery technology concerned; and
(c)
any other factors that the Commission thinks relevant.
(5)
Despite anything in this clause, the registration of an undertaking expires on the date that the proposed regulatory change is made.
(6)
This clause does not require the Commission to commence an investigation into a proposed regulatory change on the expiry of the registration of an undertaking.
Effect of registration of undertaking
8 Effect of registration of undertaking
(1)
A registered undertaking provides a basis for preparing and approving a telecommunications access code in relation to the supply of the service even though the access provider would not otherwise be subject to that code.
(2)
A registered undertaking—
(a)
does not prevent the Commission from—
(i)
commencing or continuing an investigation into a proposed regulatory change; or
(ii)
making a recommendation to the Minister that a proposed regulatory change should be made; and
(b)
does not prevent the Minister from—
(i)
requesting that the Commission commence or continue an investigation into a proposed regulatory change; or
(ii)
accepting the Commission’s recommendation that a proposed regulatory change should be made.
9 Part 2 of Commerce Act 1986 does not apply to registered undertaking
Part 2 of the Commerce Act 1986 does not apply in respect of—
(a)
a registered undertaking; and
(b)
any matter necessary for giving effect to a registered undertaking.
Register
10 Register of undertakings
(1)
For the purposes of this schedule, the Commission must establish and maintain a register of undertakings.
(2)
The register may be—
(a)
an electronic register; or
(b)
kept in any other manner that the Commission thinks fit.
11 Other duties and powers of Commission in relation to register
(1)
The Commission must ensure that the register is open for public inspection, at all reasonable times,—
(a)
at the head office of the Commission and at any other place that the Commission determines to be necessary or appropriate:
(b)
on the Commission’s website in an electronic form that is publicly accessible.
(2)
The Commission may, at any time, make any amendments to the register that are necessary to—
(a)
reflect any changes in the information specified in clause 13; or
(b)
correct a mistake caused by any error or omission on the part of the Commission.
12 Contents of register
The register must, in relation to every registered undertaking, contain all of the following:
(a)
particulars of the relevant access provider:
(b)
the date of registration of the undertaking:
(c)
the terms and conditions of the supply of the service:
(d)
particulars of, or a description of the class of, the access seekers to whom the service is to be supplied:
(e)
any other particulars that may be prescribed.
Process for making undertaking
13 Process for making undertaking
(1)
An access provider who wishes to make an undertaking must apply to the Commission in accordance with clause 14.
(2)
The Commission must deal with the application—
(a)
in accordance with clauses 15(2) and 16:
(b)
in the prescribed manner, if any.
(3)
An access provider must not make more than 1 application in relation to a proposed regulatory change.
Schedule 3A clause 13(3): inserted, on 13 November 2018, by section 16(2) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
14 Requirements for application
An application under clause 13 must—
(a)
be in writing; and
(b)
be given in the prescribed manner, if any; and
(c)
contain the prescribed information, if any; and
(d)
be accompanied by the prescribed fee, if any.
15 Timing of application
(1)
An application under clause 13—
(a)
may be made after the date on which public notice is given under clause 1(3) of Schedule 3; but
(b)
must be made not later than 40 working days after the date on which the Commission commences an investigation into the proposed regulatory change under clause 1 of Schedule 3.
(2)
The Commission must not consider a late application.
16 Commission must invite submissions
(1)
After receiving an application under clause 13, the Commission must—
(a)
give public notice of the application; and
(b)
invite persons who have a material interest in the proposed regulatory change to make written submissions on the application by the closing date specified in the public notice; and
(c)
consider those submissions.
(2)
The closing date for submissions must not be earlier than 10 working days after the date on which public notice is given under subclause (1)(a).
(3)
[Repealed]Schedule 3A clause 16(3): repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 16(3) of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Schedule 3B Annual telecommunications development levy
Schedule 3B: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 27 of the Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27).
| Financial year | Telecommunications development levy | |
|---|---|---|
| ($) | ||
| 2010/11 | 50 million | |
| 2011/12 | 50 million | |
| 2012/13 | 50 million | |
| 2013/14 | 50 million | |
| 2014/15 | 50 million | |
| 2015/16 | 50 million | |
| 2016/17 | 50 million | |
| 2017/18 | 50 million | |
| 2018/19 | 50 million | |
| 2019/20 | 10 million | |
| 2020/21 and each subsequent financial year | the inflation-adjusted specified telecommunications development levy |
The inflation-adjusted specified telecommunications development levy must be calculated in accordance with the following formula:
| a | × c | ||
| b |
where—
- a
is the CPI index number for the last quarter of the financial year preceding the relevant financial year
- b
is the CPI index number for the last quarter of the financial year that is 1 year before the financial year preceding the relevant financial year
- c
is the telecommunications development levy for the financial year preceding the relevant financial year.
Schedule 3B table: amended, on 28 May 2015, by section 4 of the Telecommunications (Development Levy) Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 54).
Schedule 3C Dispute resolution scheme
Schedule 3C: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
1 Purpose of dispute resolution scheme
(1)
The purpose of the dispute resolution scheme is to ensure that, if 2 or more persons have a dispute within section 155ZI in relation to an installation, they have access to a dispute resolution scheme for resolving that dispute.
(2)
To achieve the purpose, a scheme is to be established that—
(a)
provides for a range of dispute resolution processes, including facilitative, evaluative, and determinative processes, so that—
(i)
each dispute can be resolved through the process assessed to be the most appropriate to the particular dispute, having regard to the nature and circumstances of that dispute; and
(ii)
if the dispute cannot be resolved by agreement between the parties, the dispute is determined by a neutral third party whose decision is legally binding on the FTTP service provider or a network operator (if either is a party to the dispute); and
(iii)
the scheme combines both formality and flexibility in a manner most likely to achieve the purposes referred to in paragraph (b); and
(b)
provides for disputes to be assessed promptly after they are received for the purposes of—
(i)
identifying the process that is the most appropriate for resolving the dispute; and
(ii)
ensuring that the dispute is resolved within the time provided in the rules of the scheme, whether by agreement between the parties or determination by a neutral third party.
Schedule 3C clause 1: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
2 Interpretation
In this schedule, unless the context otherwise requires,—
affected person has the same meaning as in section 155D
approved scheme is the disputes resolution scheme approved by the Minister under clause 5 (provided that the scheme’s approval has not been withdrawn)
dispute resolution scheme, at any time, means whichever of the following is in force under this schedule at the time:
(a)
the approved scheme:
(b)
the regulated scheme
installation includes a proposed installation, an installation being carried out, and an installation that is completed (or claimed or disputed to be completed)
member, in relation to the dispute resolution scheme, means an FTTP service provider or a network operator
provider,—
(a)
in relation to a scheme, means the person responsible for that scheme; and
(b)
in relation to a proposed scheme, means the person proposed to be responsible for that scheme
regulated scheme means the scheme provided for in regulations made under clause 16.
Schedule 3C clause 2: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Approved scheme: approval and withdrawal of approval
Heading: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
3 Application for approval
(1)
The provider of a scheme may apply to the Minister for approval of the scheme as the approved scheme.
(2)
The application must include—
(a)
the rules of the scheme; and
(b)
any other information that the Minister, by notice in the Gazette, prescribes as being required to be included in an application under this clause; and
(c)
the prescribed fee (if any).
(3)
The Minister may ask an applicant to supply any further information or documentation in support of the application.
Compare: 2008 No 97 s 51; 1992 No 122 s 4
Schedule 3C clause 3: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
4 Mandatory considerations for approval
(1)
When considering an application under clause 3, the Minister must have regard to the following considerations in light of the principles listed in subclause (2):
(a)
whether the scheme is capable of meeting the purpose of the dispute resolution scheme as set out in clause 1:
(b)
the views of persons who are required to be members:
(c)
whether the scheme is capable of dealing with the wide range of disputes that persons and entities are entitled to refer to it:
(d)
whether the applicant has adequate funding to enable it to operate the scheme according to its purpose and in accordance with its rules:
(e)
whether the applicant’s directors and senior managers are competent to manage a dispute resolution scheme:
(f)
whether the rules of the scheme are adequate and comply with—
(i)
the principles listed in subclause (2); and
(ii)
the requirements of clause 12 (rules of approved scheme).
(2)
The principles are—
(a)
accessibility:
(b)
independence:
(c)
fairness:
(d)
accountability:
(e)
efficiency:
(f)
effectiveness.
Compare: 2010 No 116 Schedule 4 cl 5
Schedule 3C clause 4: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
5 Minister must decide application for approval
(1)
After considering an application made under clause 4, the Minister may—
(a)
approve the scheme as the approved scheme; or
(b)
decline the application.
(2)
The Minister may decide whether to approve the scheme or decline the application only after consulting—
(a)
the industry bodies (if any) for the telecommunications industry; and
(b)
any other persons (or their representatives) that the Minister considers are likely to be substantially affected by the approval.
(3)
A failure to consult the persons referred to in subclause (2) does not affect the validity of any approval of the scheme.
(4)
The Minister may approve a scheme if there is already another approved scheme, but in that case the approval does not take effect until the approval of the other scheme is withdrawn.
Compare: 2010 No 116 Schedule 4 cl 6
Schedule 3C clause 5: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
6 Decision must be notified and publicised
The Minister must, as soon as practicable after deciding an application,—
(a)
notify the applicant of the decision; and
(b)
if the decision is to approve the application, ensure that the approval is publicised.
Compare: 2010 No 116 Schedule 4 cl 7
Schedule 3C clause 6: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
7 Rules of approved scheme not to change without ministerial approval
(1)
The rules of the approved scheme must not be changed unless the Minister approves the change.
(2)
If the provider of the approved scheme notifies the Minister of a proposed rule change, the rule change is deemed to be approved by the Minister 45 working days after the date of notification, unless the Minister declines approval within that 45-day period.
(3)
Despite subclause (2),—
(a)
the Minister may require the provider of the approved scheme to provide further information before the Minister decides whether to approve or decline the proposed rule change; and
(b)
if the Minister requires further information to be provided, the rule change is deemed to be approved by the Minister 45 working days after the Minister receives that information, unless the Minister declines approval within the 45-day period.
(4)
The Minister may decline approval for a rule change only on the grounds that, if the rules were changed as proposed, they would not comply with the principles listed in clause 4(2) or the purpose in clause 1.
Compare: 2010 No 116 Schedule 4 cl 8
Schedule 3C clause 7: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
8 Notice of intention to withdraw approval
(1)
If the Minister proposes to withdraw approval for an approved scheme, the Minister must notify the provider.
(2)
The Minister’s notice must—
(a)
state that the Minister intends to withdraw approval of the scheme; and
(b)
identify which of the 1 or more grounds described in subclause (3) apply; and
(c)
state why the Minister considers those grounds apply; and
(d)
specify the notice period, which must be at least 3 months, during which the provider may object, under clause 9, to the intended withdrawal.
(3)
The only grounds for withdrawing approval are as follows:
(a)
the scheme is not, or is no longer, capable of meeting the purpose of the dispute resolution scheme as set out in clause 1:
(b)
there has been a loss of broad support for the scheme:
(c)
there has been a failure to comply with the rules of the scheme:
(d)
the provider has not publicised the rules as required by clause 12(2):
(e)
(f)
the provider has not notified the Minister before changing the rules of the scheme as required by clause 7:
(g)
the scheme no longer complies with the principles listed in clause 4(2).
(4)
The Minister’s notice may require the provider to—
(a)
notify all members of the Minister’s intention to withdraw approval of the scheme; or
(b)
provide the Minister with a list of the names and business addresses of current members so that the Minister can, if the Minister wishes, notify all members of the Minister’s intention to withdraw the scheme’s approval.
Compare: 2010 No 116 Schedule 4 cl 9
Schedule 3C clause 8: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
9 Objection to withdrawal of approval
(1)
During the notice period, the provider may object (with reasons) to the proposed withdrawal of approval.
(2)
The Minister must consider any objection that is received before the end of the notice period.
Compare: 2010 No 116 Schedule 4 cl 10
Schedule 3C clause 9: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
10 Withdrawal of approval
(1)
If the Minister has given notice of intention to withdraw his or her approval, the Minister may withdraw the approval at any time after the expiry of the notice period.
(2)
When considering whether to withdraw approval, the Minister must have regard to the considerations referred to in clause 4(1) in light of the principles listed in clause 4(2).
(3)
The Minister must, as soon as practicable, withdraw the approval of an approved dispute resolution scheme if the provider requests that it be withdrawn, in which case the scheme is no longer approved from the date that is 6 months after the date of withdrawal of approval.
Compare: 2010 No 116 Schedule 4 cl 11
Schedule 3C clause 10: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
11 Effect of withdrawal of approval
On the date that the withdrawal of approval of a scheme takes effect, the members of the scheme become members of—
(a)
any other approved scheme that is approved with effect from that date; or
(b)
the regulated scheme.
Compare: 2010 No 116 Schedule 4 cl 12
Schedule 3C clause 11: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Approved scheme: rules and obligations
Heading: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
12 Rules of approved scheme
(1)
The rules of the approved scheme must provide for, or set out, the following:
(a)
who may refer disputes to the scheme for resolution:
(b)
how disputes may be referred to the scheme:
(c)
the kinds of disputes that the scheme will deal with:
(d)
when a dispute referred to the scheme may be investigated under the scheme:
(e)
that any investigation as part of a process for resolving a dispute must be undertaken in a way that is consistent with the rules of natural justice:
(f)
when a neutral third party may make a determination on a dispute referred to the scheme:
(g)
that a hearing for the purposes of making a determination on a dispute is to be conducted on the papers, unless the person making the determination thinks that an oral hearing is required:
(h)
the procedure for conducting a hearing on the papers:
(i)
the time within which a determination on a dispute is to be made:
(j)
that a determination must be made in writing and include the reasons of the decision maker:
(k)
that, in relation to a dispute, any information may be considered and any inquiry may be made, that is fair and reasonable in the circumstances:
(l)
the kinds of remedial action that the scheme may require FTTP service providers or network operators to take in order to resolve disputes (for example, a requirement to compensate up to a certain amount stated in the rules, or to carry out reinstatement work, or, in the case of an affected person, to consent to a category 2 installation):
(m)
when parties to a dispute are bound by an agreement or a determination under the scheme and what rights parties to a dispute (other than scheme members) have to appeal against a determination:
(n)
that the scheme may stop investigating and resolving a dispute if any party to the dispute takes alternative court action against another party to the dispute:
(o)
that the scheme will not charge any person (other than a scheme member) a fee for an investigation or assistance to resolve a dispute (including by determination, if the parties to the dispute are unable to resolve the dispute by agreement):
(p)
how the provider will promote knowledge about, and access to, the scheme to members and persons entitled to make a complaint.
(2)
The responsible person of the approved scheme must publicise the rules.
Compare: 2010 No 116 Schedule 4 cl 13
Schedule 3C clause 12: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
13 List of members
The provider of the approved scheme must maintain and publicise a list of current members of the scheme.
Compare: 2010 No 116 Schedule 4 cl 14
Schedule 3C clause 13: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
14 Five-yearly review
(1)
The provider of the approved scheme must ensure that, 2 years after the scheme starts and at least every 5 years after that, a review of the scheme is carried out and a report of the review is provided to the Minister within 3 months of its completion.
(2)
The report may be of an independent review or a review by the provider, whichever the Minister thinks appropriate, having regard to all the circumstances at the time, including the likely costs associated with an independent review and whether those are justified, having regard to the scheme’s operations and performance.
Compare: 2010 No 116 Schedule 4 cl 15
Schedule 3C clause 14: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
15 Provision of information
(1)
The provider of the approved scheme must, on request by the Minister, provide information on the following:
(a)
matters relating to any information or reports that the provider of the approved scheme is required to provide under the rules of the scheme:
(b)
the scheme’s compliance with the principles listed in clause 4(2).
(2)
Nothing in this clause or clause 14 authorises a breach of the Privacy Act 2020 or any obligation of confidentiality.
Compare: 2010 No 116 Schedule 4 cl 17
Schedule 3C clause 15: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Schedule 3C clause 15(2): amended, on 1 December 2020, by section 217 of the Privacy Act 2020 (2020 No 31).
Regulated scheme: rules of scheme and appointment of provider
Heading: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
16 Regulations setting out rules of regulated schemes
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations providing for the regulated scheme.
(2)
(3)
Before recommending that regulations be made, the Minister must consult—
(a)
the industry bodies (if any) for the telecommunications industry; and
(b)
any other persons (or their representatives) that the Minister considers are likely to be substantially affected by the recommendation.
(4)
However, a failure to consult the persons referred to in subclause (3) does not affect the validity of the regulations.
(5)
Regulations under this clause are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
Compare: 2010 No 116 Schedule 4 cl 18
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this clause | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Schedule 3C clause 16: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Schedule 3C clause 16(5): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
17 Order in Council appointing provider of regulated scheme
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, appoint a person to provide the regulated scheme.
(2)
The Minister may make a recommendation under this clause only if the Minister is satisfied that the person appointed as the provider—
(a)
is a formally constituted dispute resolution body; and
(b)
is capable of providing the scheme in accordance with the purpose in clause 1 and the rules of the scheme.
(3)
An order under this clause is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
Compare: 2010 No 116 Schedule 4 cl 19
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this clause | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Schedule 3C clause 17: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Schedule 3C clause 17(3): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).
18 Notice of intention to revoke appointment
(1)
An appointment made by Order in Council may not be revoked on the ground that the Minister has approved, or intends to approve, an approved scheme under clause 5 unless the Minister has given the scheme provider at least 3 months’ notice in writing of the intention to revoke the appointment.
(2)
Nothing in this clause limits the grounds on which the Minister may otherwise recommend the revocation of any appointment.
Compare: 2010 No 116 Schedule 4 cl 20
Schedule 3C clause 18: inserted, on 3 May 2017, by section 21 of the Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16).
Schedule 4 Enactments amended
[Repealed]Schedule 4: repealed, on 13 November 2018, by section 38 of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48).
Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006
Public Act |
2006 No 83 |
|
Date of assent |
18 December 2006 |
|
Commencement |
see section 2 |
1 Title
This Act is the Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006.
2 Commencement
(1)
Part 4B of the Telecommunications Act 2001 (as inserted by section 54 of this Act) comes into force as provided in section 156S of that Act.
(2)
The rest of this Act comes into force on 22 December 2006.
Part 2 Consequential amendments and transitional provisions
Transitional provisions
62 Transitional provision for uncompleted determinations under section 27
(1)
This section applies if, before the commencement of this Act, the Commission was—
(a)
considering an application under section 20 for a determination of all or some of the terms on which a designated access service or specified service must be supplied:
(b)
otherwise in the process of investigating or preparing a determination under section 27 of all or some of those terms.
(2)
The Commission may continue and complete the matter in accordance with—
(a)
subpart 2 of Part 2 of the principal Act (as if this Act had not been enacted); or
(b)
subpart 2A of Part 2 of the principal Act (as inserted by this Act) as if the determination under section 27 were a standard terms determination.
(3)
For the purposes of subsection (2)(b), the provisions of subpart 2A of Part 2 of the principal Act (as inserted by this Act) apply with any necessary modifications.
63 Transitional provision for TSO determinations
Despite the amendments made by this Act to the principal Act, the principal Act continues to apply as if those amendments had not been made in respect of any TSO determinations that were commenced, but not completed, before the commencement of this Act.
64 Transitional provision for enforcement of determinations and approved codes made before commencement of this Act
(1)
This section applies to any of the following matters that were made or approved before the commencement of this Act:
(a)
a determination under section 27:
(b)
an approved code under Schedule 2.
(2)
A matter to which this section applies may be enforced in accordance with subpart 2 of Part 4A of the principal Act.
(3)
For the purposes of subsection (2),—
(a)
the definition of enforceable matter in section 156N of the principal Act must be read as if—
(i)
the reference in paragraph (a) of that definition to a determination made under section 27 were a reference to that determination whether made before or after the commencement of this Act; and
(ii)
the reference in paragraph (f) of that definition to an approved code under Schedule 2 were a reference to that code whether approved before or after the commencement of this Act; and
(b)
the other provisions of subpart 2 of Part 4A of the principal Act apply with any necessary modifications.
65 Transitional provision for descriptions of services in existing determinations
Despite the amendments made to the designated access services under Part 2 of Schedule 1 of this Act, any determinations relating to those services that are in force before the commencement of this Act continue to apply according to their terms as if those amendments had not been enacted.
66 Transitional provision for uncompleted Schedule 3 investigations
(1)
This section applies to investigations under Schedule 3 of the principal Act that were commenced, but not completed, before the commencement of this Act.
(2)
The Commission may continue and complete an investigation to which this section applies in accordance with—
(a)
Schedule 3 of the principal Act (as if this Act had not been enacted); or
(b)
Schedule 3 of the principal Act (as amended by this Act).
Infrastructure (Amendments Relating to Utilities Access) Act 2010
Public Act |
2010 No 99 |
|
Date of assent |
5 August 2010 |
|
Commencement |
see section 2 |
1 Title
This Act is the Infrastructure (Amendments Relating to Utilities Access) Act 2010.
2 Commencement
This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.
Transitional provision
28 Transitional provision
To avoid doubt, the amendments made by this Act are intended to apply prospectively only and do not apply to or affect any notice given, request made, condition proposed or agreed to, or any other thing done before this Act comes into force.
Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011
Public Act |
2011 No 27 |
|
Date of assent |
30 June 2011 |
|
Commencement |
see section 2 |
1 Title
2 Commencement
(1)
This Act, except subpart 2 of Part 2 and sections 52 to 68, comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.
(2)
Subpart 2 of Part 2 and sections 52 to 68 come into force on separation day, but only if an Order in Council has been made under section 36.
(3)
Telecom must publish the date of separation day in the Gazette as soon as practicable after it is known.
(4)
Separation day has the meaning set out in section 69B of the principal Act (as inserted by section 51 of this Act).
Section 2(2): subpart 2 of Part 2 and sections 52–68 brought into force, on 30 November 2011, being the date of separation day, and an Order in Council (SR 2011/302) having been made under section 36.
Part 1 Telecommunications service obligations and general matters
Subpart 2—Savings and transitional issues
28 Savings provision for financial years up to and including 2009/10 financial year
The principal Act continues to apply, as if this Act had not been passed, to—
(a)
all TSO instruments, deemed TSO instruments, TSO providers, and liable persons for the financial year ended 30 June 2010 and all prior financial years; and
(b)
every decision or determination relating to a TSO instrument or deemed TSO instrument made, or required to be made, by the Commission in respect of the financial year ended 30 June 2010 and all prior financial years.
29 Transitional provision concerning liability allocation determination for 2010/11 financial year
(1)
This section applies in respect of the financial year ended 30 June 2011.
(2)
For the purposes of subpart 2 of Part 3 of the principal Act,—
(a)
the definition of liable person (as substituted by this Act) does not apply; and
(b)
liable person means—
(i)
a person—
(A)
who is identified by the Commission as a liable person in its final cost allocation determination, for the financial year ended 30 June 2010, in relation to the deemed TSO instrument known as the Telecommunications Service Obligations (TSO) Deed for Local Residential Telephone Service; and
(B)
whose qualified revenue for the financial year ended 30 June 2010 is equal to or greater than $5 million; and
(ii)
Telecom; and
(c)
the definition of qualified revenue (as substituted by this Act) does not apply; and
(d)
qualified revenue means the amount of revenue (as determined in accordance with any specifications set by the Commission) that, during the financial year, each liable person received from supplying all or any of the following:
(i)
telecommunications services by means of its PSTN:
(ii)
telecommunications services by means that rely primarily on the existence of its PSTN or any other PSTN:
(iii)
directory services in respect of PSTN numbers; and
(e)
sections 81(1) and 82 do not apply.
(3)
For the avoidance of doubt,—
(a)
section 81(2) and (3) apply for the purpose of determining whether a person is a liable person, within the meaning of subsection (2)(b)(i) of this section, to whom subpart 2 of Part 3 of the principal Act applies in respect of the financial year ended 30 June 2011; and
(b)
except as provided in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, subpart 2 of Part 3 of the principal Act (as substituted by this Act) otherwise applies in respect of the financial year ended 30 June 2011.
30 Transitional provision concerning information about deemed TSO instruments to be included in TSO cost calculation determinations
Section 100BA of the principal Act (as inserted by this Act) does not apply in respect of any TSO charge received by a TSO provider before the 2010/11 financial year.
Part 2 Structural separation of Telecom
Subpart 1—Preparation for separation of Telecom
31 Interpretation of this subpart
For the purposes of this subpart, the terms defined in Part 2A of the principal Act (as substituted by section 51 of this Act, were that section in force) and used, but not defined, in this subpart have the same meanings as set out in that Part, with necessary modifications.
Approval of asset allocation plan
32 Preparation of asset allocation plan
(1)
Telecom must prepare an asset allocation plan and submit it to the Minister and the Commission not later than 40 working days after the date on which this section comes into force.
(2)
The asset allocation plan must meet the information requirements in subsection (3).
(3)
The asset allocation plan must—
(a)
specify how the assets and liabilities of Telecom as at 5 working days before the plan is submitted are intended to be allocated between Telecom and Chorus (which obligation may be met by specifying categories of assets and liabilities, rather than every individual asset and liability, if the categorisation is reasonable and enables the Minister to understand where the assets and liabilities will be held after separation day); and
(b)
specify how each asset, or category of assets, will be used to provide telecommunications services to the market; and
(c)
specify the key terms of all intended material sharing arrangements.
(4)
Material, in this section and section 37, must be determined having regard to the degree of importance of the matter, in terms of its likely impact on, and likely consequences for, the provision of telecommunications services to the market.
33 Updating of asset allocation plan before approval
Telecom may, by notice in writing to the Minister, make changes to the asset allocation plan in order to update it at any time before the Minister approves the plan.
34 Decision of Minister concerning approval of asset allocation plan
(1)
The Minister must, as soon as practicable after receiving the asset allocation plan,—
(a)
decide whether to recommend or decline to recommend the making of an Order in Council approving the plan under section 36; and
(b)
notify Telecom of the Minister’s decision.
(2)
Before making a decision under subsection (1), the Minister may consult the Commission.
(3)
The Minister may decline to recommend the making of an Order in Council under section 36 only if the Minister is not satisfied that the plan meets the information requirements set out in section 32(3).
35 Variation of asset allocation plan
(1)
If the Minister declines to recommend the making of an Order in Council approving the asset allocation plan,—
(a)
the Minister must give reasons to Telecom for not recommending approval of the plan; and
(b)
the Minister must invite Telecom to submit a revised plan; and
(c)
Telecom must submit any revised plan not later than 15 days after the Minister notifies the Minister’s decision under section 34, or any further time that the Minister may allow.
(2)
Sections 32(2) and (3) and 34 and subsection (1) of this section apply, with all necessary modifications, to a revised asset allocation plan as if it were an asset allocation plan.
36 Asset allocation plan approved by Order in Council
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, approve the asset allocation plan.
(2)
An Order in Council under this section may be made only before separation day.
(3)
An Order in Council under this section must identify, but need not contain, the asset allocation plan.
37 Telecom must make overview of asset allocation plan publicly available
(1)
Telecom must, as soon as practicable after approval of the asset allocation plan under section 36 but no later than separation day, make an overview of the plan publicly available.
(2)
The overview must provide sufficient information about the intended allocation of assets and liabilities and sharing arrangements to enable a reasonable person to understand the material aspects of the asset allocation plan.
(3)
The requirements in subsections (1) and (2) do not require Telecom to disclose any confidential commercial information.
(4)
In this section, publicly available means available at all reasonable times, free of charge, on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of Telecom.
38 Telecom must update Minister and overview on day before separation day
Telecom must, on the day before separation day,—
(a)
make changes to the asset allocation plan in order to update it to take account of—
(i)
assets acquired, and liabilities incurred, since the date on which the plan was submitted or approved; and
(ii)
trivial differences between the plan as approved and the demerger arrangement; and
(b)
notify the Minister in writing of the changes made; and
(c)
update the overview made available under section 37 to take account of that information.
39 Demerger must be in accordance with asset allocation plan
(1)
Telecom must ensure that the demerger of Telecom and Chorus under the demerger arrangement is carried out in accordance with, and gives full effect to, the asset allocation plan as approved under section 36.
(2)
The High Court may order Telecom to pay to the Crown a pecuniary penalty not exceeding $10 million if the court is satisfied, on the application of the chief executive of the Ministry, that Telecom has failed, without reasonable excuse, to comply with subsection (1) as at separation day.
(3)
Telecom has a reasonable excuse for the purpose of subsection (2) to the extent that the failure to comply is because of a matter notified to the Minister under section 38(b).
(4)
Section 156L(2), (4), and (5) of the principal Act apply with all necessary modifications to proceedings under this section.
Approval of Chorus undertakings
40 Minister must consider purposes in section 69W
In making a decision under sections 42 and 43, the Minister must consider the purposes set out in section 69W and make the decision that the Minister considers best gives, or is best likely to give, effect to the purposes set out in that section.
41 Chorus must submit undertakings for approval by Minister
Chorus must submit draft undertakings that comply with section 69XB of the principal Act (were that section in force) not later than 20 working days after the date on which this section comes into force or any later date, before separation day, that the Minister may allow.
42 Minister may approve or decline to approve undertakings
(1)
The Minister must, as soon as practicable after receiving the undertakings, by notice in writing to Chorus,—
(a)
approve the undertakings; or
(b)
decline to approve the undertakings.
(2)
The Minister must consult the Commission, and may consult any other person that the Minister considers has a material interest, before deciding whether to approve or decline to approve the undertakings.
(3)
If the Minister declines to approve the undertakings, the Minister must—
(a)
give reasons to Chorus for not approving the undertakings; and
(b)
direct Chorus to prepare and submit amended undertakings.
(4)
Chorus must submit amended undertakings to the Minister not later than 15 working days after the date on which approval of the undertakings was declined, or any later date that the Minister may allow.
(5)
The Minister must notify his or her approval of an undertaking by notice in the Gazette.
43 Approval of amended undertakings
(1)
As soon as practicable after receiving amended undertakings, the Minister must—
(a)
approve the undertakings by notice in writing to Chorus; or
(b)
if the Minister considers that the amended undertakings require further amendment, make any amendments to the undertakings that the Minister considers necessary to give better effect to the purpose and requirements in sections 69W and 69XB of the principal Act.
(2)
Before making any amendments to the undertakings under this section, the Minister must advise Chorus of the Minister’s intention to do so and must give Chorus a reasonable opportunity to make submissions on the matter.
(3)
The Minister must give notice in writing to Chorus of the approval of the amended undertakings, accompanied by a copy of the undertakings as approved.
(4)
The Minister must notify his or her approval of an undertaking by notice in the Gazette.
44 Failure to submit undertakings
(1)
The Minister must arrange for undertakings or revised undertakings (as the case may be) to be prepared, and the Minister has all the powers necessary for that purpose, if—
(a)
Chorus has not submitted the undertakings required under section 41 within the time specified in that section; or
(b)
Chorus has not given the Minister revised undertakings within the time specified in section 42(4).
(2)
Section 69XB of the principal Act and section 43(1), (3), and (4) apply to undertakings prepared under subsection (1) as if the undertakings were amended undertakings submitted by Chorus to the Minister.
(3)
If, as a result of the default of Chorus, the Minister acts under subsection (1) the Minister is entitled to be reimbursed for all costs and expenses incurred by the Minister in taking the action.
Notice of separation day
45 Telecom must give notice of separation day and provide information
(1)
Telecom must make the following information publicly available for a period of not less than 1 month before separation day:
(a)
the date of separation day:
(b)
for each designated service or specified service in respect of which Telecom is an access provider immediately before separation day, which entity (Telecom or Chorus) will provide the service and which entity will be subject to the obligations under this Act in respect of that service after separation day.
(2)
In this section, publicly available has the same meaning as in section 37, and the information referred to in that section may be combined with the information referred to in this section.
Approval of proposals for tax purposes
46 Proposals may be approved for tax purposes by Orders in Council
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the advice of the Minister of Revenue, approve a proposal signed by or on behalf of Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited and ChorusCo.
(2)
The proposal may provide for 1 or more of the following matters:
(a)
specify a day and a purpose relevant to sections 69XO to 69XZ for the purposes of the definition of appointed day in section 69XM:
(b)
specify a list of assets and liabilities in accordance with subsections (3) and (4) for the purpose of the definition of designated assets and liabilities in section 69XM:
(c)
prescribe the manner in which the volume weighted average price is to be calculated for the purposes of section 69XP(6):
(d)
amend an earlier proposal with effect from the date on which the earlier proposal took effect or from a later date, if appropriate.
(3)
A list of assets and liabilities may be in the form of references to ledgers or registers maintained by a Telecom company or a Chorus company, or be in any other form, and be accompanied by any other information, that is reasonable and appropriate.
(4)
A designated asset or designated liability may consist of part only of an asset or liability.
(5)
An Order in Council under this section must identify, but need not contain, the proposal.
(6)
In this section, the references to sections 69XO to 69XZ, 69XM, and 69XP are references to those sections of the principal Act as inserted by section 51 of this Act, were section 51 and each of those sections in force.
Subpart 3—Consequential amendments, saving, transitional provisions, and miscellaneous matters
Transitional provision relating to TSO obligations
69 TSO provider cannot request TSO cost calculation determination under section 94 for financial year in which separation day occurs
(1)
Despite section 94, a TSO provider under a TSO instrument that does not contain a specified amount may not notify the Commission that it wishes to invoke the procedure in sections 94D to 94K for the preparation of a TSO cost calculation determination for the financial year in which separation day occurs.
(2)
To avoid doubt, for the financial year in which separation day occurs, the TSO charges for a TSO instrument that does not contain a specified amount are deemed to be zero as provided in section 94C.
Transitional provision relating to shared asset arrangements
70 Minister may grant exemptions in relation to shared asset arrangements
The Minister may grant an exemption under section 69N of the principal Act (as inserted by section 51 of this Act) as if those sections were in force.
Saving and transitional provisions relating to designated access services
71 Standard terms determinations continue to apply
(1)
Each standard terms determination referred to in the first column of the following table remains in force and continues to apply as if the determination were a determination made by the Commission for the designated access service set out in the second column of that table opposite that determination:
| Standard terms determination | Designated access service | |
|---|---|---|
Standard terms determination for Telecom’s unbundled bitstream access, 12 December 2007 |
Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access | |
Standard terms determination for Telecom’s unbundled bitstream access backhaul service, 27 June 2008 |
Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access backhaul | |
|
Standard terms determination for Telecom’s unbundled copper local loop network service, 7 November 2007 Standard terms determination for the designated services of Telecom’s unbundled copper local loop network service (Sub-loop UCLL), Telecom’s unbundled copper local loop network co-location service (Sub-loop Co-location) and Telecom’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul service (Sub-loop backhaul), 18 June 2009 (the Sub-loop services standard terms determination) |
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network | |
|
Standard terms determination for Telecom’s unbundled copper local loop network co-location service, 7 November 2007 Sub-loop services standard terms determination |
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network co-location | |
Sub-loop services standard terms determination |
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (distribution cabinet to telephone exchange) | |
Standard terms determination for Telecom’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (telephone exchange to interconnect point) service, 27 June 2008 |
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (telephone exchange to interconnect point) |
(2)
Part 2 of the principal Act applies to each standard terms determination accordingly.
(3)
Subsections (1) and (2) are subject to sections 72 to 79.
72 General provision concerning reviews of standard terms determinations for purpose of implementing amendments to Schedule 1 of principal Act
(1)
The Commission may review any standard terms determination referred to in section 71 under section 30R for the purpose of making any changes to the determination that the Commission considers necessary to implement the amendments made by this Act to Schedule 1 of the principal Act—
(a)
before the relevant amendments come into force or take effect; and
(b)
as if the relevant amendments were in force or had taken effect.
(2)
However,—
(a)
the Commission must review the standard terms determination for Telecom’s unbundled bitstream access dated 12 December 2007 before separation day, as referred to in section 73(1); and
(b)
the Commission must make reasonable efforts to conduct a review of certain determinations—
(i)
before separation day, as referred to in section 73(2); and
(ii)
before the expiry of 1 year from separation day, as referred to in section 77; and
(c)
the Commission may not make a replacement determination under section 30R(2); and
(d)
any variation of, addition to, or deletion of terms in a determination for the purpose of implementing an amendment made by this Act to the principal Act may not come into force or take effect until the relevant amendment comes into force or takes effect; and
(e)
on conducting any review of the standard terms determination for Telecom’s unbundled copper local loop network service dated 7 November 2007 and the Sub-loop services standard terms determination, the Commission’s powers under section 30R are subject to section 73(3).
73 Commission must complete reviews of standard terms determinations for certain designated access services before separation day
(1)
The Commission must review the standard terms determination for Telecom’s unbundled bitstream access dated 12 December 2007 before separation day for the purpose of making any changes to the determination that may be necessary for the purpose of implementing clause 4A of subpart 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the principal Act from the close of the day before separation day.
(2)
The Commission must make reasonable efforts to do the following before separation day:
(a)
review each of the standard terms determinations referred to in the first column of the table in subsection (5) for the purpose of making any changes or (in the case of the standard terms determination for Telecom’s unbundled bitstream access) any further changes that may be necessary in order for the determination to apply to the designated access service set out opposite that determination in the second column of that table from the close of the day before separation day; and
(b)
review the standard terms determination for Telecom’s unbundled copper local loop network dated 7 November 2007 (in this section, the unbundled copper local loop network determination) and the Sub-loop services standard terms determination for the purpose of making any changes to those determinations that may be necessary for the purpose of implementing clause 4A of subpart 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1; and
(c)
give public notice of the results of each review.
(3)
However, no variation of, addition to, or deletion of terms in the unbundled copper local loop network determination or the Sub-loop services standard terms determination that relates to the implementation of clause 4A of subpart 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 may take effect before the expiry of 3 years from separation day.
(4)
To avoid doubt, clause 4A of subpart 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the principal Act applies to Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service on and after separation day and any changes made to the standard terms determination in accordance with subsection (1) for the purpose of implementing that clause take effect from the close of the day before separation day.
(5)
The table referred to in subsection (2) is—
| Standard terms determination | Designated access service | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Standard terms determination for Telecom’s unbundled bitstream access, 12 December 2007 |
Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access (excluding the initial and the final pricing principles applicable after the expiry of 3 years from separation day) | ||
Standard terms determination for Telecom’s unbundled copper local loop network co-location service, 7 November 2007 |
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network co-location | ||
Standard terms determination for Telecom’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (telephone exchange to interconnect point) service, 27 June 2008 |
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (telephone exchange to interconnect point) |
||
74 Commission must make standard terms determination for Chorus’s unbundled copper low frequency service before separation day
(1)
The Commission must make reasonable efforts to make a standard terms determination under section 30M for Chorus’s unbundled copper low frequency service before separation day.
(2)
The standard terms determination must—
(a)
be made in accordance with the procedure and requirements set out in sections 30D to 30Q; and
(b)
apply from the close of the day before separation day.
Further transitional provisions relating to Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service
75 Certain clauses of standard terms determination do not apply to Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service
Despite section 71(1), the following clauses of Schedule 2 of the standard terms determination for Telecom’s unbundled bitstream access service dated 12 December 2007 do not apply to Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service from the close of the day before separation day:
(a)
clause 4 (adjustment to basic UBA monthly (with POTS) charge):
(b)
clause 4B (quarterly adjustment to early termination charge):
(c)
clause 5 (adjustment to enhanced UBA monthly (with POTS) charge):
(d)
clause 6 (adjustment to enhanced UBA service (without POTS) charges).
76 Certain provisions of Part 2 and Schedule 3 of principal Act do not apply in relation to Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service
Despite section 71(2), the following provisions of the principal Act do not apply in relation to Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service for the period starting on separation day and ending 3 years after separation day:
(a)
section 30R (review of standard terms determination), except as provided in sections 73 and 77:
(b)
section 30V (application for residual terms determination):
(c)
section 59 (reconsideration of determination):
(d)
clause 1(1) and (5) of Schedule 3 (Commission’s investigation).
77 Review of standard terms determination for unbundled bitstream access service before expiry of 1 year from separation day
(1)
The Commission must make reasonable efforts to do the following before the expiry of 1 year from separation day:
(a)
review the standard terms determination for Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service under section 30R for the purpose of making any changes that may be necessary in order to implement the initial and final pricing principles applicable after the expiry of 3 years from separation day; and
(b)
give public notice of the result of the review.
(2)
To avoid doubt, no variation of, addition to, or deletion of terms specified in the standard terms determination as a result of the Commission’s review in accordance with subsection (1) may take effect before the expiry of 3 years from separation day.
78 Party to standard terms determination for Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service may apply for pricing review
(1)
A party to the standard terms determination for Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service may apply for a pricing review under section 42 as if the review under section 77(1)(a) were a determination made under section 30M regarding the price payable for the service.
(2)
The pricing review application must be made in accordance with section 43, except that section 43(b)(ii) (which relates to the time within which an application under section 42 must be made) does not apply and the application must be given to the Commission not later than 25 working days after the Commission gives public notice of the review in accordance with section 77(1)(b).
(3)
The Commission must make reasonable efforts to complete the pricing review determination before the expiry of 3 years from separation day.
79 Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access prices grandfathered
(1)
This section applies in relation to a subscriber line if an access seeker is being supplied with a UBA service in relation to that subscriber line before separation day.
(2)
Chorus must, for the period starting on separation day and ending 3 years after separation day, provide each service component identified in items 2.1 to 2.8 of Schedule 2 of the standard terms determination for Telecom’s unbundled bitstream access service dated 12 December 2007 at whichever of the following is the lower:
(a)
the price that applies under the determination for the date on which this Act receives the Royal assent, if that price is set out in the standard terms determination before the day before separation day:
(b)
the price set out in the standard terms determination on the day before separation day.
(3)
From the end of the period referred to in subsection (2), the initial pricing principle or the final pricing principle (whichever applies) for Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service applies to unbundled bitstream access services purchased by access seekers before separation day.
(4)
In this section, UBA service has the meaning set out in clause 1 of the standard terms determination for Telecom’s unbundled bitstream access service dated 12 December 2007.
Miscellaneous
80 Operational separation undertakings cease to have effect
The separation undertakings given by Telecom in favour of the Crown for the purposes of Part 2A (before its repeal and substitution by this Act) cease to have legal effect from the close of the day before separation day.
Notes
1 General
This is a consolidation of the Telecommunications Act 2001 that incorporates the amendments made to the legislation so that it shows the law as at its stated date.
2 Legal status
A consolidation is taken to correctly state, as at its stated date, the law enacted or made by the legislation consolidated and by the amendments. This presumption applies unless the contrary is shown.
Section 78 of the Legislation Act 2019 provides that this consolidation, published as an electronic version, is an official version. A printed version of legislation that is produced directly from this official electronic version is also an official version.
3 Editorial and format changes
The Parliamentary Counsel Office makes editorial and format changes to consolidations using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019. See also PCO editorial conventions for consolidations.
4 Amendments incorporated in this consolidation
Emergency Management Act 2026 (2026 No 53): section 235
Budapest Convention and Related Matters Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 39): section 57
Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 11): Part 22
Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023 (2023 No 68): section 6
Data and Statistics Act 2022 (2022 No 39): section 107(1)
Te Ture mō te Hararei Tūmatanui o te Kāhui o Matariki 2022/Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022 (2022 No 14): wehenga 7/section 7
Legislation Act (Amendments to Legislation) Regulations 2021 (SL 2021/247): regulation 67
Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7): section 3
Urban Development Act 2020 (2020 No 42): section 300
Telecommunications (Spark’s Resale Services) Order 2020 (LI 2020/182)
Privacy Act 2020 (2020 No 31): section 217
Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2018 (2018 No 48)
Telecommunications (Property Access and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 16)
District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49): section 261
Telecommunications (Development Levy) Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 54)
Telecommunications Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 136)
Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Act 2013 (2013 No 91): section 123
Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 19): section 8
Telecommunications (International Co-operation) Amendment Act 2012 (2012 No 87)
Search and Surveillance Act 2012 (2012 No 24): section 339
Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81): section 413
Telecommunications (TSO, Broadband, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 27)
Telecommunications (Retail Services and Bundle of Retail Services) Order 2011 (SR 2011/200)
Telecommunications (Mobile Termination Access Services) Order 2010 (SR 2010/262)
Infrastructure (Amendments Relating to Utilities Access) Act 2010 (2010 No 99): sections 5–12
Telecommunications Amendment Act 2010 (2010 No 90)
Telecommunications (National Roaming) Order 2008 (SR 2008/251)
Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006 (2006 No 83)
Telecommunications Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 70)
Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115): section 200
Telecommunications (Initial Pricing Principle) Order 2003 (SR 2003/357)
Supreme Court Act 2003 (2003 No 53): section 48(2)
Crimes Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 39): section 35
Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84): section 262
Telecommunications Act 2001 (2001 No 103): section 65(1)(a)
Versions
Telecommunications Act 2001
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