Source: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2017/0293/latest/whole.html
Timestamp: 2018-12-12 07:14:22
Document Index: 56344693

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 6', 'art 2', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 8', 'art\n218', 'art 9', 'art 10', 'art 6', 'art 1', 'art 7', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 6', 'arts 2', 'arts 2', 'arts 2', 'arts 2', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 8', 'art 9', 'art 10', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 2', 'art 6', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 2', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 6', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 6', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'arts 2', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 4']

Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Bill 293-3 (2017), Government Bill – New Zealand Legislation
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293—3
Amendments to definitions and amendments related to copper fixed line access services
4A Section 6 replaced (Public notice)
5 Section 19 amended (Commission and Minister must consider purpose set out in section 18 and additional matters)
6 Section 66 amended (Alterations to Part 2 or Part 3 of Schedule 1)
Deregulating copper fixed line access services
8 Section 69XA amended (Interpretation)
8A New section 85A inserted (Certain revenue from broadcasting services must be excluded from qualified revenue)
85A Certain revenue from broadcasting services must be excluded from qualified revenue
9 Section 157 amended (Regulations)
10 Schedule 1AA amended
12 New Schedule 2A inserted
14 Schedule 3A amended
Amendments related to fibre fixed line access services
15 Section 10 amended (Performance of Commission’s functions)
16 Section 11 amended (Levy)
17 Section 12 amended (Levy for first financial year or part financial year)
18 Section 15 amended (Application of Commerce Act 1986 and Crown Entities Act 2004)
19 Section 19A amended (Commission to have regard to economic policies of Government)
21 New section 156ANA inserted (Amendment or consolidation of undertaking)
156ANA Amendment or consolidation of undertaking
21A Section 156AZ amended (Application of provisions in subpart 1)
23 New Part 6 inserted
162 Purpose
164 Interpretation
165 Meaning and application of claw-back
166 Matters to be considered by Commission and Minister
Subpart 2—Regulating fibre fixed line access services
167 Regulation of fibre fixed line access services
168 Information disclosure regulation
169 Price-quality regulation
170 Determinations by Commission under this section
170A Determinations must reflect actual costs of Crown financing
171 When Commission must make initial section 170 determinations
172 Amendment of section 170 determination
173 Purpose of input methodologies
174 How published input methodologies apply
175 Matters covered by input methodologies
176 Initial value of fibre assets
177 When input methodologies must be determined
178 Commission process for determining input methodologies
179 Publication of input methodologies
180 Changes to input methodologies
181 Review and date of publication of input methodologies
182 Appeals against input methodology determinations
183 Process for appeals
184 Input methodology applies pending outcome of appeal
185 Purpose of information disclosure regulation
186 Effect of being subject to information disclosure regulation
187 Section 170 determination to set out information disclosure requirements
188 Consolidated information may also be required
189 Charge for providing copies to public
190 Limited exception to obligation to apply input methodologies
Subpart 5—Price-quality regulation
191 Purpose of price-quality regulation
192 Effect of being subject to price-quality regulation
193 Section 170 determination to set out price-quality path requirements
194 Maximum revenues specified in initial price-quality paths
195 Wash-up mechanism for maximum revenues specified in initial price-quality paths
196 Smoothing revenues and prices
197 Anchor services
198 Direct fibre access services
199 Unbundled fibre services
200 Geographically consistent pricing
200A Exceptions from section 200 for trials
201 Making new section 170 determination
202 What happens to price-quality path if input methodologies change
203 Application of Commerce Act 1986
204 Modification of undertakings under section 156AD
Subpart 6—Regulatory periods
205 Regulatory periods
Subpart 7—Reviews
206 Anchor services review
207 Price-quality review
208 Deregulation review
209 Application of Schedule 3
Subpart 8—Enforcement and miscellaneous provisions
210 Pecuniary penalty for contravening information disclosure requirement
211 Order requiring information disclosure requirement to be complied with
212 Offences relating to information disclosure regulation
213 Pecuniary penalty for contravening price-quality requirements
214 Compensation for contravention of price-quality requirement
215 Offence relating to price-quality regulation
216 Injunction and other orders relating to price-quality regulation
216A Proceedings for pecuniary penalties
216B Evidence not otherwise admissible
217 Powers of Commission under this Part
218 Power to exempt disclosure of commercially sensitive information
219 Material may be incorporated by reference
Subpart 9—Appeals from Commission determinations
220 Appeals in relation to Commission determinations
Subpart 10—Orders and regulations
221 Order for reset date
222 Persons subject to regulation under Part 6
223 Anchor services
224 Direct fibre access services
225 Unbundled fibre services
225A Regulations under sections 224 and 225 may modify undertaking under section 156AD
226 Specified points of interconnection
Amendments related to consumer matters, consequential amendments, and other miscellaneous amendments
Subpart 1—Amendments related to consumer matters
Retail service quality monitoring Monitoring and information dissemination
24 Section 9A amended (Functions of Commission in relation to sector monitoring and information dissemination)
24 Section 9A replaced (Functions of Commission in relation to sector monitoring and information dissemination)
24A New section 10A inserted (Power to require supply of information to support functions of monitoring and reporting on retail service quality)
10A Power to require supply of information to support functions of monitoring and reporting on retail service quality
24B New sections 69SA and 69SB inserted
69SA Exemptions from sections 69R and 69S
69SB Other provisions relating to exemptions
Clarification of meaning of UFB 2
24C Section 156AB amended (Interpretation)
25 Section 156A amended (Application of section 156B)
26 Section 156B amended (Enforcement actions that Commission may take)
27 New section 156BA inserted (Enforcement actions that end-user may take)
156BA Enforcement actions that end-user may take
28 New sections 156CA and 156CB and cross-heading inserted
Enforceable undertakings in relation to Commission RSQ code or copper withdrawal code
156CA Commission may accept undertakings
156CB Enforcement of undertakings
29 New sections 156MA to 156MD and cross-headings inserted
Additional remedies in relation to breach of Commission RSQ code
156MA Order to disclose information or publish advertisement
156MB Other orders for breach of Commission RSQ code
Additional remedies in relation to breach of copper withdrawal code
156MC Other orders for breach of copper withdrawal code
156MD Injunctions for breach of copper withdrawal code
Amendments to provisions inserted by Telecommunications Amendment Act (No 2) 2006
30 Section 156T replaced (Process to apply before Part may be commenced)
156T Process to apply before Part may be commenced
31 Section 156UA amended (Appointment of consumer complaints system)
32 Section 156Y amended (Requirements for consumer complaints system)
33 New Part 7 inserted
226A Interpretation
227 Purpose of retail service quality code
229 Commission may issue guidelines
230 Commission review of industry retail service quality codes
231 Commission retail service quality code
232 Contents of Commission retail service quality code
232A Commission 111 contact code
Process for making Commission codes
233 Process for making or amending Commission retail service quality code
234 Dispute resolution scheme
235 Disputes may be referred to industry dispute resolution scheme
236 Determinations binding on scheme members and certain other parties
237 Appeals against determinations
238 Procedure on appeal
239 Compliance with rules, binding settlements, and determinations
Commission review of industry dispute resolution schemes
240 Commission review of industry dispute resolution schemes
241 Purpose of dispute resolution scheme
242 Purpose of dispute resolution provider
243 Interrelationship of remedies
Subpart 2—Consequential and other miscellaneous amendments
34 Amendments to replace references to Telecom
36 Consequential amendments to principal Act
36A Consequential amendments to other Acts
37 Miscellaneous amendments
Replacing references to “Telecom” or “Telecom’s”
This Act is the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2017.
The following provisions come into force on 1 January 2020:
section 11, in so far as it repeals, in subpart 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the principal Act, the heading Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network and each item related to the heading:
section 11, in so far as it repeals, in subpart 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the principal Act, the heading Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (distribution cabinet to telephone exchange) and each item related to the heading.
Section 35, in so far as it repeals subpart 3 of Part 4AA of the principal Act, comes into force on 1 January 2022.
Part 1 Amendments to definitions and amendments related to copper fixed line access services
Commission 111 contact code means a code made by the Commission under section 232A
does not include 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)
any date specified by the Minister in accordance with clause 7 of Part 2 of Schedule 1AA
regulated fibre service provider means a person who is prescribed in regulations made under section 222 as being subject to 1 or both of the following:
specified point of interconnection means the a point of interconnection prescribed under section 226 for the end-user premises or access point
In section 5, definition of access provider, paragraph (b), after “Schedule 3A” , insert “; and” .
In section 5, definition of access provider, after paragraph (b), insert:
In section 5, definition of access seeker, paragraph (b), after “access seeker” , insert “; and” .
In section 5, definition of access seeker, after paragraph (b), insert:
In section 5, definition of qualified revenue, after “a specified amount” , insert “and excluding any amount under section 85A” .
In section 5, replace the definition of telecommunication with:
In section 5, repeal the definition of chief executive.
If, under this Act, the Commission is required to give public notice of a matter, the Commission must—
notify the matter in the Gazette; and
at all reasonable times, ensure that the full text of the matter is available on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Commission.
A notification of a matter for the purpose of subsection (1)﻿(a) must include—
the text of the matter; or
a summary of the text and a description of where the full text may be viewed on the Internet (for example, an Internet link).
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.
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.
In section 19, after “this Part” , insert “, Part 2AA,” .
In section 66(a)﻿(v)﻿(A), replace “the applicable initial pricing principle” with “any applicable initial pricing principle” .
In section 66(c)﻿(vii), replace “the applicable initial pricing principle” with “any applicable initial pricing principle” .
The Commission must, before the implementation date 1 January 2020 and at least annually thereafter, carry out an assessment to determine the geographic areas in which fibre fixed line access services are a specified fibre service is available to end-users.
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 fibre fixed line access services are a specified fibre service is available to end-users in the area.
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.
In this section, specified fibre service means either of the following:
a fibre fixed line access service:
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).
a copper withdrawal code has been approved and Chorus complies with the requirements of the copper withdrawal code in relation to stopping the supply of the service; or
Chorus is required by a standard terms determination made under section 30M to supply 1 or both of the following services a relevant service to an access seeker:; and
In this section, relevant service means either of the following:
Telecommunications Service Obligations (TSO) Deed for Local Residential Telephone Service (except to the extent that it relates to 111 call services):
In this Part, copper withdrawal code means the code approved under Schedule 2A.
the determination continues to apply to the relevant service; and
sections 30R and 59 do not apply in respect of the determination.
For the purposes of subsection (2)﻿(a),—
the prices that apply are the year 5 prices specified in the determination; and
those prices increase or decrease (as appropriate) by an annual CPI adjustment on 1 January 16 December in each year (starting on 16 December 2020).
For the purposes of subsection (4)﻿(a),—
those prices increase or decrease (as appropriate) by an annual CPI adjustment on 16 December in each year (starting on 16 December 2020).
In section 69XA, definition of relevant regulated services, after “access services” , insert “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” .
In section 69XA, definition of relevant services, replace paragraph (b) with:
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
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
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):
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):
any amount of revenue that is received before 1 July 2020 by a liable person in relation to any other broadcasting service.
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.
After section 157(ch), insert:
prescribing matters for the purposes of the copper withdrawal code:
Amend Schedule 1 as set out in Schedule 2 of this Act.
After Schedule 2, insert the Schedule 2A set out in Schedule 3 of this Act.
In Schedule 3, repeal clause 1(4).
In Schedule 3, clause 1(7), replace “section 156AP” with “sections 69AH, 156AP, and 209” .
In Schedule 3, after clause 1(7), insert:
Subclause (3) does not apply in relation to copper fixed line access services. the following:
Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (telephone exchange to interconnect point):
Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access backhaul.
In Schedule 3, clause 3(1), replace “must make reasonable efforts to” with “may” .
In Schedule 3, repeal clause 3(3).
In Schedule 3, clause 4(1), replace “make reasonable efforts to do the following things not later than 120 working days” with “do the following things not later than 240 working days” .
In Schedule 3, after clause 4(4), insert:
A failure by the Commission to comply with subclause (1) does not invalidate a final report prepared by the Commission.
In Schedule 3, repeal clause 5.
In Schedule 3, clause 7(1)﻿(a), replace “at the end” with “after the end” .
In Schedule 3, clause 7(1)﻿(b), replace “at the end” with “after the end” .
In Schedule 3, clause 10(1), replace “must make reasonable efforts to” with “may” .
In Schedule 3, clause 11(1), replace “make reasonable efforts to do the following things not later than 60 working days” with “do the following things not later than 120 working days” .
In Schedule 3, after clause 11(4), insert:
In Schedule 3, repeal clause 12.
In Schedule 3A, clause 5(2), delete “after the Commission has made a recommendation under clause 3(2) in respect of that undertaking” .
In Schedule 3A, after clause 13(2), insert:
An access provider must not make more than 1 application in relation to a proposed regulatory change.
In Schedule 3A, repeal clause 16(3).
Part 2 Amendments related to fibre fixed line access services
After section 10(1)﻿(a)﻿(iv), insert:
make every determination in respect of fibre fixed line access services under Part 6; and
In section 10(1)﻿(c)﻿(ii), after “make 2” , insert “or more” .
In section 10(1)﻿(c)﻿(ii), replace “and 2 other” with “and those other” .
In section 11(1), (2), and (3)﻿(d), replace “financial year” with “appropriation period” in each place.
Replace the heading to section 12 with “Levy for appropriation period beginning 1 July 2018” .
Repeal section 12(1), (2), and (3).
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,—
the preparation of the performance of, and the performance of, the Commission’s functions and duties under Parts 2AA, 6, and 7; and
the preparation of the exercise of, and the exercise of, the Commission’s powers under Parts 2AA, 6, and 7.
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.
In section 12(4)﻿(d), replace “financial year” with “appropriation period” in each place.
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,—
the performance of the Commission’s functions and duties under Parts 2AA, 6, and 7; or
the exercise of the Commission’s powers under Parts 2AA, 6, and 7.
In section 15, insert as subsections (2) to (4):
The following provisions of the Commerce Act 1986 apply, with any necessary modifications, as specified in Part 6 of this Act:
section 77 (additional lay members of High Court for purposes of appellate jurisdiction in respect of Commission determinations):
sections 79A and 79B:
sections 88, 88A, and 90:
sections 93 to 97:
Sections 88 and 88A of the Commerce Act 1986 apply, with any necessary modifications, as specified in section 156MD.
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, 186(1)﻿(c), 192, and 217 of this Act as a notice referred to in section 103(1)﻿(a) of the Commerce Act 1986.
In section 19A(1), after “powers under” , insert “Part 6 and” .
After section 156AN, insert:
The Minister may approve 1 or both of the following:
an amendment to an undertaking, if the amendment is necessary or desirable for the purpose of making the undertaking consistent with this Act:
the consolidation of 2 or more undertakings.
Sections 156AI to 156AK apply, with any necessary modifications, to an amendment or a consolidation as if it were an undertaking.
In section 156AZ, replace “Sections 156AH to 156AN, 156AO,” with “Sections 156AH to 156AO” .
Part 6 Fibre fixed line access services
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—
have incentives to improve efficiency and supply fibre fixed line access services of a quality that reflects end-user demands; and
allow end-users to share the benefits of efficiency gains in the supply of fibre fixed line access services, including through lower prices; and
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52A
subpart 1 contains general provisions and defines terms used in this Part:
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:
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:
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:
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:
subpart 6 contains provisions relating to the duration of regulatory periods:
subpart 7 relates to the Commission carrying out reviews related to the regulatory framework for fibre fixed line access services:
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:
subpart 9 contains appeal rights:
subpart 10 contains order-making and regulation-making powers related to this Part.
Compare: 1986 No 5 ss 52, 52B
anchor service means a fibre fixed line access service prescribed declared in regulations made under section 223 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 or DFAS means a fibre fixed line access service prescribed declared in regulations made under section 224 to be a direct fibre access service
first regulatory period has the meaning set out in section 205
information disclosure requirement means a requirement that—
applies to a regulated fibre service provider who is prescribed in regulations made under section 222 as being subject to information disclosure regulation; and
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 175 and that is published by the Commission under section 179
point-to-multipoint layer 1 service has the meaning given in section 156AB
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
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 initiative has the meaning set out in section 156AB
UFB partner has the meaning set out in section 156AB
unbundled fibre service means a point-to-multipoint layer 1 service (as defined in section 156AB), but subject to the specifications and conditions for the service (if any) prescribed in regulations made under section 225.
unbundled fibre service means a point-to-multipoint layer 1 service declared in regulations made under section 225 to be an unbundled fibre service.
In this Part, the test for related parties is the same as the test in section 69U, applied with any necessary modifications.
A reference to the Commission applying claw-back is a reference to the Commission doing either of the following:
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:
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.
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.
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
This section applies if the Commission or the Minister is required under this Part to make a recommendation, determination, or decision.
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—
to the purpose in section 162; and
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.
Fibre fixed line access services are regulated as provided for by this Part.
A regulated fibre service provider must comply with—
the requirements of this Part that apply to the regulated fibre service provider; and
every section 170 determination that applies to the regulated fibre service provider.
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:
sections 210 to 216; and
sections 88, 88A, and 90 of the Commerce Act (applied with any necessary modifications).
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
Fibre fixed line access services supplied by a regulated fibre service provider who is prescribed in regulations made under section 222 as being subject to information disclosure regulation are subject to information disclosure regulation under this Part (see subpart 4).
Fibre fixed line access services supplied by a regulated fibre service provider who is prescribed in regulations made under section 222 as being subject to price-quality regulation are subject to price-quality regulation under this Part (see subpart 5).
The Commission must make determinations under this section specifying how 1 or both of the following apply to regulated fibre service providers:
price-quality regulation.
Determinations must—
set out, for each type of regulation, the requirements that apply to each regulated fibre service provider; and
set out any time frames (including the regulatory periods) that must be complied with or that apply; and
specify the input methodologies that apply; and
be consistent with this Part.
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.
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.
The Commission must, as soon as practicable after making a determination under this section,—
give a copy of the determination to each regulated fibre service provider to whom the determination relates; and
give public notice of the determination.
publish a summary of it in the Gazette; and
make the whole determination available for inspection on the Commission’s website in an electronic form that is publicly accessible.
A determination under this section is neither a legislative instrument nor a disallowable instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012 (and does not have to be presented to the House of Representatives under section 41 of that Act).
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52P
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.
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.
The Commission must, after the date on which the relevant input methodologies are determined under section 177 but before the implementation date, make determinations under section 170 specifying—
how price-quality regulation applies to regulated fibre service providers during the first regulatory period; and
how information disclosure regulation applies to regulated fibre service providers from the start of the first regulatory period.
A section 170 determination relating to information disclosure regulation may last for more than 1 regulatory period and remains in force until it is amended revoked.
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.
An amendment forms part of the determination it amends.
An amendment comes into force on the date specified in the amendment, which must be a date on or after the date on which it, or a summary of it, is published in the Gazette public notice is given under subsection (4)﻿(c).
The Commission must, as soon as practicable after making an amendment,—
give a copy of the amendment to each provider to whom the determination relates; and
publish the amendment, or a summary of the amendment, in the Gazette; and
give public notice of the determination, as amended by the amendment.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52Q
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
A relevant input methodology relating to the supply of fibre fixed line access services must be applied—
by each relevant regulated fibre service provider in accordance with the relevant section 170 determination; and
by each person entitled or required under this Act to recommend, decide, or determine the Commission in recommending, deciding, or determining—
how regulation under this Part should apply to fibre fixed line access services; or
the prices or quality standards applying to fibre fixed line access services.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52S
The input methodologies relating to fibre fixed line access services must include, to the extent applicable to the type of regulation under consideration,—
methodologies for evaluating or determining the following matters in respect of the supply of the fibre fixed line access services:
valuation of assets, including depreciation, and treatment of revaluations:
allocation of common costs, including (for example, between activities, businesses, access seekers, regulated services, and or geographic areas):
treatment of taxation; and
quality dimensions; and
regulatory processes and rules, such as—
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
identifying circumstances in which a price-quality path may be reconsidered within a regulatory period; and
methodologies for capital expenditure projects, including the following:
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
the criteria the Commission will use to evaluate capital expenditure proposals; and
time frames and processes for evaluating capital expenditure proposals, including what happens if the Commission does not comply with those time frames.
Every input methodology must, as far as is reasonably practicable,—
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
set out how the Commission intends to apply the input methodology to fibre fixed line access services; and
be consistent with the other input methodologies that relate to fibre fixed line access services.
Any methodologies referred to in subsection (1)﻿(a)﻿(ii) that relate to establishing the initial value of fibre assets (as defined in section 176) must be determined in accordance with section 176.
Compare: 1986 No 5 ss 52T, 54S
The initial value of a fibre asset is calculated by—
taking the cost—
incurred by a regulated fibre service provider in constructing or acquiring the fibre asset, net of specified capital contributions; or
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
adjusting that cost for accumulated depreciation and impairment losses (if any) recognised by the regulated fibre service provider (ignoring any accounting adjustment for Crown funding financing), as at the implementation date, under generally accepted accounting practice in New Zealand.
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.
In determining the financial losses under subsection (2), the Commission—
must take into account any accumulated unrecovered returns on investments made by the provider under the UFB initiative; and
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).
It is not the intention of subsection (2) subsections (2) and (2AA) that regulated fibre service providers should be protected from all risk of not fully recovering those financial losses through prices over time.
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—
as a direct result of meeting specific requirements of the UFB initiative; and
for both standard connections and non-standard connections.
The Commission must ensure that the value of assets or financial losses is calculated so that the maximum revenues that may be recovered by, or the maximum price or prices that may be charged by, a regulated fibre service provider under a section 170 determination reflect the actual financing costs incurred in respect of the debt or equity financing provided by, or on behalf of, the Crown to the provider (or a related party) in connection with the deployment of fibre assets under the UFB initiative.
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—
constructed or acquired by a regulated fibre service provider; and
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 means a capital contribution received by a regulated fibre service provider from 1 or more of the following:
an access seeker:
an end-user:
any other person, as determined by the Commission
specified capital contribution—
means a capital contribution received by a regulated fibre service provider from 1 or more of the following:
any other person, as determined by the Commission; but
does not include any Crown financing
standard connection and non-standard connection have the meanings set out in section 155ZU.
The Commission must, not later than the implementation date, determine the input methodologies referred to in section 175 for fibre fixed line access services.
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
When the Commission begins work on an input methodology, it must publish a notice of give public notice of its intention to do so that—
outlines the process that will be followed; and
sets out the proposed time frames.
During the course of its work on an input methodology, the Commission—
must publish a give public notice of the draft methodology; and
must give interested persons a reasonable opportunity to give their views on that draft methodology; and
may hold 1 or more conferences; and
must have regard to any views received from interested persons within any time frames set.
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
The Commission must publish give public notice of every input methodology, and every amendment to an input methodology,—
within 10 working days after the Commission determines the input methodology or amendment; and
if the input methodology or amendment is determined by the High Court on appeal, within 10 working days after the Commission receives a copy of the decision of the High Court.
The publication must be in a notice in the Gazette setting out—
a brief description of the nature of the methodology; and
the reasons for determining that methodology; and
how it is available to the public.
The Commission must, at all reasonable times, make the input methodology available for inspection on the Commission’s website in an electronic form that is publicly accessible.
For the purposes of the public notice given under section 6, the full text of the matter must include the reasons for determining the methodology.
A published An input methodology or amendment is neither a legislative instrument nor a disallowable instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012 (and does not have to be presented to the House of Representatives under section 41 of that Act).
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52W
If the Commission proposes to amend an input methodology to make a material change, section 178 applies as if the amendment were a new input methodology.
The Commission may amend an input methodology to make a non-material change without complying with section 178.
If the Commission proposes to revoke an input methodology, sections 178 and 179 apply with any necessary modifications as if the revocation were a new input methodology. the Commission—
must give public notice of its intention to do so that—
sets out the proposed time frames; and
must give interested persons a reasonable opportunity to give their views on the proposed revocation; and
The Commission must give public notice of the revocation of an input methodology within 10 working days after the input methodology is revoked.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52X
The date of publication of an input methodology is the date on which it is published under section 179(1)﻿(a) or, if it is subsequently published under section 179(1)﻿(b), the date of that later publication.
The date of publication of an input methodology is—
the date on which public notice of the methodology is given under section 179(1)﻿(a); or
if a later public notice is given under section 179(1)﻿(b), the date of that notice.
Section 178 applies, with any necessary modifications, as if the review were a new input methodology.
Section 179 (or, if relevant, section 180(4)) applies if, after a review, an input methodology is replaced, amended, or revoked.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 52Y
Any person who gave views on an input methodology determination to the Commission as part of the process under section 178, 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.
In this section and section 183, input methodology determination means any of the following:
the initial determination of an input methodology:
any determination by the Commission that amends or revokes the input methodology:
any determination by the Commission of an input methodology after a review of the input methodology.
In determining an appeal against an input methodology determination, the court may do any of the following:
decline the appeal and confirm the input methodology, or the revocation of the input methodology, set out in the determination:
allow the appeal by—
amending the input methodology; or
revoking the input methodology and substituting a new one; or
referring the input methodology determination back to the Commission with directions as to the particular matters that require amendment; or
if the revocation of an input methodology is not confirmed, confirming that the input methodology still applies.
The court may only 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 meeting the purpose of this Part, the purpose in section 173, or both.—
meeting the purpose of this Part or the purpose in section 173, or both; and
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.
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.
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
An appeal under section 182(1) must be brought within 20 working days after the date on which public notice of the input methodology determination is published is given.
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.
The High Court must sit with 2 lay members (unless the court considers that only 1 is required).
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.
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
The High Court may not stay the application of section 174 with respect to any input methodology published under section 179 until any appeal against it is finally determined.
Section 174 continues to apply with respect to every input methodology published under section 179 until any appeal against the input methodology is finally determined.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53A
A regulated fibre service provider who is subject to information disclosure regulation must—
publicly disclose information in accordance with the information disclosure requirements set out in the relevant section 170 determination; and
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
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.
If a regulated fibre service provider is subject to information disclosure regulation, the Commission—
may monitor and analyse all information disclosed in accordance with the information disclosure requirements; and
must, as soon as practicable after any information is publicly disclosed, publish (on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Commission) 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.
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 achieving promoting the purpose in section 162.
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
A section 170 determination relating to fibre fixed line access services that are subject to information disclosure regulation must specify the following:
the regulated fibre service providers to which it applies:
the manner in which the information is to be disclosed:
the form of disclosure:
when, and for how long, information must be disclosed:
the input methodologies that apply:
any other methodologies that are required in the preparation or compilation of the information.
Information required to be disclosed may include (without limitation) 1 or more of the following:
financial statements (including projected financial statements):
asset values and valuation reports:
prices, terms and conditions relating to prices, and pricing methodologies:
financial and non-financial performance measures:
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:
quality performance measures and statistics:
assumptions, policies, and methodologies used or applied in these or other areas:
consolidated information that includes information about unregulated services, in which case section 188 applies:
information related to 1 or more parts of a fibre network.
The section 170 determination may do 1 or more of the following:
require disclosed information, or information from which disclosed information is derived (in whole or in part), to be verified by statutory declaration:
require independent audits of disclosed information:
require the retention of data on which disclosed information is based, and associated documentation:
exempt any person or class of persons, or provide for exemptions, from any requirements of the determination, and provide for the revocation of exemptions:
provide for transitional provisions:
impose any other requirements that the Commission considers necessary or desirable to promote the purpose of information disclosure regulation.
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.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53C
The purpose of this section is to enable the Commission to monitor compliance with information disclosure regulation applying to fibre fixed line access services.
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.
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—
consolidated financial statements, and any other information referred to in section 187, for all businesses (including those related to the supply of other services) undertaken by that provider; and
consolidated financial statements, and any other information referred to in section 187, for the supply of all other services in aggregate; and
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
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.
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
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.
The charge must be no more than is reasonably required to recover the costs of providing those copies.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53E
Despite section 174, a regulated fibre service provider who is subject only to information disclosure regulation does not have to apply the following input methodologies in accordance with that section: input methodologies for evaluating or determining the cost of capital.
methodologies for evaluating or determining the cost of capital:
However, to avoid doubt, subsection (1) does not affect anything else in this subpart, and in particular does not affect—
section 186(2) (which means the Commission may use the input methodologies referred to in subsection (1) to monitor and analyse information); andor
section 187(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
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
A regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation in respect of fibre fixed line access services must—
apply the price-quality paths set by the Commission in a section 170 determination in respect of those services; and
comply with sections 197 to 200.
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 written statement that states whether the provider has complied with the price-quality paths applying to that provider:
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:
sufficient information to enable the Commission to properly determine whether a price-quality path has been complied with:
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
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.
A price-quality path must specify the following:
the regulatory period to which it applies:
in relation to prices, 1 or both of the following:
the maximum price or prices that may be charged by a regulated fibre service provider:
the maximum revenues that may be recovered by a regulated fibre service provider:
the quality standards that must be met by a regulated fibre service provider:
the date or dates on which the price-quality path (or any part of it) takes effect:
the date or dates by which compliance must be demonstrated in accordance with section 192(2).
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:
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:
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:
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:
reporting requirements, including special reporting requirements in asset management plans, if the provider fails to meet the quality standards.
Quality standards may, subject to any relevant input methodologies, be prescribed in any way the Commission considers appropriate (such as targets, bands, or formulas).
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
Despite section 193(2)﻿(b), the Commission must, in the price-quality paths for each regulatory period that starts before the reset date,—
specify the maximum revenues that may be recovered by a regulated fibre service provider; and
not specify the maximum price or prices that may be charged by a regulated fibre service provider.
In this section and section 195, reset date means the date declared, in an order made under section 221, to be the reset date.
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.
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.
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.
This section applies when the Commission specifies maximum prices or maximum revenues for the purpose of section 193(2)﻿(b).
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.
A regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation must, during the prescribed period for an anchor service, provide the anchor service—
in respect of any premises, building, or access point connected to its fibre network; and
at a price that is no greater than the prescribed maximum price; and
in accordance with any prescribed specifications and conditions.
A regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation must provide an anchor service if an anchor service has been declared.
The service must be provided—
in accordance with any prescribed description of the service; and
in accordance with any prescribed conditions; and
during any prescribed period for the service; and
at a price that is no greater than any prescribed maximum price.
A regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation must, during the prescribed period for a direct fibre access service, provide the direct fibre access service—
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.
A regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation must, during the prescribed period for an unbundled fibre service, provide the unbundled fibre service—
at a price that is no greater than the prescribed maximum price (if any); and
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.
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.
Nothing in section 200 applies in relation to a trial of a fibre fixed line access service.
The provision of a service is a trial if the service—
is offered by the provider for no more than 1 year; and
is provided under an agreement with end-users that clearly states the end date for the service; and
is provided to no more than 1,000 end-users over the whole period in which it is offered.
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.
In making a new section 170 determination, the Commission must consult with interested parties in relation to the requirements listed in section 193.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53P
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).
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 172, if—
an input methodology changes as a result of an appeal under section 182; and
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.
When making a new price-quality path under subsection (2), the Commission must apply claw-back.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53ZB
Part 2 of the Commerce Act 1986 does not apply in respect of—
a price for a fibre fixed line access service provided by a regulated fibre service provider if—
that service is subject to an individually a prescribed maximum price under this Part (whether in this Part, in regulations made under this Part, or in a section 170 determination); and
the price is the same as the individually prescribed maximum price; and
any matter necessary for giving effect to the prescribed maximum price referred to in paragraph (a).
Despite any undertaking entered into by a regulated fibre service provider in accordance with section 156AD(2)﻿(c), a regulated fibre service provider is not required, on and after the implementation date, to achieve price equivalence in relation to the supply of an unbundled layer 1 service (as defined in section 156AB) if—
the service is subject to an individually prescribed maximum price under this Part (whether in this Part, in regulations made under this Part, or in a section 170 determination); or
the service is an input to a service referred to in paragraph (a).
However, subsection (1) does not apply if the prescribed maximum price is cost-based.
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.
on and after the implementation date; and
despite any undertaking entered into by a regulated fibre service provider in accordance with section 156AD(2)﻿(c).
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.
The first regulatory period starts on the implementation date and lasts for a period of 3 years.
The duration of subsequent regulatory periods must be determined by the Commission and must be between 3 and 5 years.
The Commission must notify the duration of each new regulatory period in a section 170 determination.
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).
A review must consider the following in respect of an anchor service:
the specification any prescribed description of the service:
the any prescribed conditions that apply to the service:
the any prescribed period for the service:
the any prescribed maximum price for the service.
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.
The Commission must make a recommendation to the Minister after a review for the purposes of section 223.
The Commission must not recommend a change to the specification description of an anchor service unless the service (with the amended specification description) meets the purpose in subsection (7).
The Commission must not recommend a change to the prescribed maximum price of an anchor service unless,—
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
if the recommendation is made after the start of the first regulatory period, the recommended maximum price is a cost-based price.
The purpose of anchor services is—
to ensure that baseband equivalent voice and basic broadband services are available to end-users at reasonable prices; and
to provide a reference to act as an appropriate constraint on the price and quality of other fibre fixed line access services.
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 194, 198, and 199 meet the purpose in section 162.
A review must consider 1 or more of the following:
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 194 and 195):
whether the prescribed period for an unbundled fibre service or a direct fibre access service should be amended:
whether the prescribed maximum price for a direct fibre access service should be amended:
whether a maximum price should be prescribed for an unbundled fibre service and, if so, what the price should be:
whether the prescribed maximum price (if any) for an unbundled fibre service should be amended.
whether any of the matters prescribed under section 224(2) should be amended and, if so, how they should be prescribed instead (if at all):
whether a point-to-multipoint layer 1 service supplied to end-users’ premises or buildings should be declared under section 225(1) to be an unbundled fibre service and, if so, how the matters set out in section 225(2) should be prescribed (if at all):
whether any of the matters prescribed under section 225(2) should be amended, and, if so, how they should be prescribed instead (if at all).
The Commission must make a recommendation to the Minister following a review for the purposes of section 221, 224, or 225 (as appropriate).
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.
The Commission may, at any time after the implementation date, review how 1 or more fibre fixed line access services should be are regulated under this Part if the Commission has reasonable grounds to consider that fibre fixed line access those services—
should no longer be regulated under this Part; or
should no longer be subject to price-quality regulation under this Part.
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:
the geographic area in which the service is supplied:
the service’s end-users:
the service providers who seek access to the service:
the technical specifications of the service:
any other circumstances in which the service is supplied.
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.
A review may consider the following:
whether competition to 1 or more fibre fixed line access services has emerged increased or decreased in a relevant market:
whether any competition referred to in paragraph (a) exercises an effective constraint the impact of any increase or decrease on the ability of regulated fibre service providers to exercise substantial market power:
whether the purpose of this Part would be better met if 1 or more fibre fixed line access services were no longer subject to price-quality regulation.—
were no longer regulated under this Part; or
were no longer subject to price-quality regulation under this Part.
The Commission must make a recommendation to the Minister after a review.
Despite clause 1 of Schedule 3, the Commission must not commence an investigation under Schedule 3 in relation to fibre fixed line access services.
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—
has contravened any information disclosure requirement (as defined in section 164(1)); or
has attempted to contravene any such requirement; or
has aided, abetted, counselled, or procured any other person to contravene any such requirement; or
has induced, or attempted to induce, any other person, whether by threats or promises or otherwise, to contravene any such requirement; or
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
has conspired with any other person to contravene any such requirement.
In subsection (1) and section 212, a reference to contravening an information disclosure requirement includes all or any of the following:
failing to disclose information required to be disclosed:
failing to disclose information in the form or within the time required:
disclosing information that is false or misleading under an information disclosure requirement.
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.
In determining the amount of pecuniary penalty, the court must have regard to all relevant matters, including—
whether the person has previously been found by the court in proceedings under this Part to have engaged in similar conduct.
A regulated fibre service provider may not be liable to more than 1 pecuniary penalty in respect of the same conduct.
Proceedings under this section may be commenced at any time within 3 years after the contravention occurred.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 86
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.
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
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
the person is subject to an order under section 211 and fails to comply with the order by the date, or within the period, specified.
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
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—
has contravened any price-quality requirement applying to fibre fixed line access services; or
In subsection (1) and sections 214 to 216, a reference to contravening a price-quality requirement—
refers to a requirement imposed—
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
by section 192(1)﻿(b); and
includes 1 or more of the following:
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:
failing to comply with any quality standards required under the price-quality regulation:
failing to comply with any requirement in sections 197 to 200.
In setting the amount of pecuniary penalty, the court must take into account all of the following matters:
the nature and extent of the contravention:
the nature and extent of any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of the contravention:
the circumstances in which the contravention took place (including whether the contravention was intentional, inadvertent, or caused by negligence):
whether or not the person has previously been found by the court in proceedings under this Part to have engaged in similar conduct.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 87
If the High Court orders a person to pay a pecuniary penalty under section 213 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).
An application for an order under this section may be made by the Commission or any aggrieved person.
The application must be made within 1 year of the date of the pecuniary penalty order.
The court may make an order under this section whether or not any aggrieved person is party to the proceedings.
In proceedings under this section, the court may make such orders as to cost as it thinks fit.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 87A
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
the person is subject to an order under section 216(1)﻿(b) and fails to comply with the order.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 87B
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:
grant an injunction restraining any provider of those services from providing them in contravention of the price-quality requirement:
make an order requiring the provider to provide the services in accordance with the price-quality requirement applying to them.
An application for an injunction or order under this section may be made by any person.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 87C
The following sections of the Commerce Act 1986 apply in relation to proceedings for pecuniary penalties under this Part:
section 79A:
section 79B (except that the relevant offences are those in sections 212 and 215 of this Act).
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
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:
consult any person the Commission considers may assist it:
how effectively and efficiently a regulated fibre service provider is providing fibre fixed line access services:
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:
how any conditions relating to the quality of fibre fixed line access services may be, or are being, fulfilled:
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:
use any information previously disclosed to the Commission under this Act or the Commerce Act 1986:
by notice in writing, require any regulated fibre service provider—
to prepare and produce forecasts, forward plans, or other information; and
to apply any methodology specified by the Commission in the preparation of forecasts, forward plans, or other information:
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:
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:
answer any questions about any matter that the Commission has reason to believe may be relevant to the investigation, audit, or inquiry:
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).
In this section, specified person means any of the following:
a regulated fibre service provider:
a person who used to be a regulated fibre service provider:
a retail service provider:
an agency associated with the supply of fibre fixed line access services.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53ZD
The Commission may, on application, exempt any person or class of persons, 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.
The Commission may grant the exemption on any terms and conditions that it thinks fit.
The exemption must be granted by notice in the Gazette, and takes effect from the date specified in the exemption (which must not be earlier than the date of the Gazette notice).
The Commission may, in like manner, vary or revoke any exemption.
The Commission must give public notice of the exemption.
The exemption takes effect from the date specified in the exemption (which must not be earlier than the date on which public notice is given).
The Commission’s reasons for granting an exemption (including why it is appropriate) must be published together with the exemption.
The Commission must keep a list of all current exemptions made by it under this section and must make the list available— for public inspection free of charge during normal office hours of the Commission at the offices of the Commission.
for public inspection free of charge during normal office hours of the Commission at the offices of the Commission; and
on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Commission.
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.
The breach of a term or condition of an exemption is a breach of the obligation to which the exemption relates.
An exemption under this section is neither a legislative instrument nor a disallowable instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012 (and does not have to be presented to the House of Representatives under section 41 of that Act).
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53ZG
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 section 170 determination:
an input methodology.
Compare: 1986 No 5 s 53ZF
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 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:
an input methodology determination under subpart 3 (for which a separate appeal right is given under that subpart).
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.
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 182.
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.
Sections 77 and 93 to 97 of the Commerce Act 1986 apply with any necessary modifications in respect of an appeal under this section.
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
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 194 and 195.
The power to make an order made under this section may be exercised only once.
The Minister must not recommend that an order be made under this section unless the Commission has, after a review under section 207, recommended that the order be made.
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:
Regulations made under this section may include the name and a description of the person.
The Minister must not recommend that regulations be made under this section unless—
the Commission has consulted with interested parties; and
the Commission has recommended to the Minister that the person provides fibre fixed line access services in a market where the person can exercise a substantial degree of market power; and
the Commission has recommended to the Minister that making the provider subject to the proposed form of regulation meets the purpose in section 162.
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.
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 and prescribing in relation to the service—
the name and technical specification of the service; and
any conditions; and
the period during which a regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation must provide the service; and
the maximum price that a regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation may charge for providing the service.
Except as provided for in subsection (3)﻿(b), the Minister must not recommend that regulations be made under this section unless the Commission has, after a review under section 206, recommended that the regulations be made.
The Minister must not recommend that regulations be made under subsection (1)﻿(d) unless,—
if a review has been carried out under section 206, 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; or
any other method recommended by the review; or
if a review has not been carried out under section 206, 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.
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 and prescribing in relation to the service—
Except as provided for in subsection (3)﻿(b), the Minister must not recommend that regulations be made under this section unless the Commission has, after a review under section 207, recommended that the regulations be made.
if a review has been carried out under section 207, the Minister is satisfied that the regulations will prescribe a maximum price by reference to—
if a review has not been carried out under section 207, 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.
prescribing, in relation to an unbundled fibre service, 1 or both of the following:
the technical specification of the service:
prescribing, in relation to an unbundled fibre service, the period during which a regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation must provide the service:
prescribing, in relation to an unbundled fibre service, the maximum price that a regulated fibre service provider who is subject to price-quality regulation may charge for providing the service.
The Minister must not recommend that regulations be made under this section unless the Commission has, after a review under section 207, recommended that the regulations be made.
The Minister must not recommend that regulations be made under subsection (1)﻿(c) unless—
regulations have been made under subsection (1)﻿(b); and
the Minister is satisfied that the regulations will prescribe a maximum price by reference to—
any other method recommended by the review.
Regulations made under this section must—
state the name of the person; and
describe the services in respect of which the person is subject to information disclosure regulation, price-quality regulation, or both.
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:
the Commission has consulted with interested persons; and
the Commission has recommended to the Minister that the regulations be made.
Subsection (4) applies unless the Minister is recommending regulations to which either or both of the following apply:
the regulations have no more than a minor effect:
the regulations correct errors or make similar technical amendments.
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.
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.
For the purposes of subsection (4)﻿(a), the Commission has consulted with interested persons if it has complied with section 208(4) in relation to the proposed change to be implemented through the regulations.
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.
The regulations may, in relation to the service, prescribe all or any of the following:
a description of the service; and
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:
the geographic area in which the service must be supplied:
any other circumstances in which the service must be supplied.
The Minister must not recommend that regulations be made under this section unless the Commission has, after a review under section 206, recommended that the regulations be made.
See clause 11 of Schedule 1AA for requirements relating to the first regulations made under this section.
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.
The regulations may, in relation to a direct fibre access service, prescribe all or any of the following:
Subsection (4) applies unless the Minister is recommending regulations to which 1 or more of the following apply:
the regulations correct errors or make similar technical amendments:
the regulations are allowed under subsection (6).
If a review has not been carried out under section 207, 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.
See clause 12 of Schedule 1AA for requirements relating to the first regulations made under this section.
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.
The regulations may, in relation to an unbundled fibre service, prescribe all or any of the following:
a description of the service:
the period during which the service must be provided:
the maximum price that may be charged for the service, which must be a cost-based price.
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).
See clause 13 of Schedule 1AA for requirements relating to the first regulations made under this section.
This section applies if the Governor-General makes regulations under section 224 or 225.
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.
For the purposes of subsection (2), the regulations may describe the service with reference to any 1 or more of the following:
In this section, LFC has the meaning given in section 156AB.
The Commission may, by public notice, prescribe points of interconnection for the purposes of establishing fibre handover points.
The notice may prescribe a point of interconnection by reference to 1 or more of the following:
a regulated fibre service provider’s network:
a geographical location:
the UFB initiative.
The Commission may amend or revoke a notice in the manner in which it was made.
However, the Commission must not amend a specified point of interconnection unless the amendment—
is for an appropriate technical purpose; and
is consistent with the purpose in section 162.
The first notice made under this section 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.
The first notice made under this section—
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
may prescribe additional points of interconnection.
A notice under this section is neither a legislative instrument nor a disallowable instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012 (and does not have to be presented to the House of Representatives under section 41 of that Act).
Part 3 Amendments related to consumer matters, consequential amendments, and other miscellaneous amendments
In section 9A(1)﻿(c), after “(a) and (b)” , insert “; and” .
After section 9A(1)﻿(c), insert:
must monitor retail service quality in relation to telecommunications services; and
must make available reports, summaries, and information about retail service quality in a way that better informs consumer choice.
In section 9A(2), replace “subsection (1)﻿(c)” with “subsections (1)﻿(c) and (e) and (3)” .
In section 9A(2), after “this section” , insert “or section 10A” .
Replace section 9A with:
In addition to the other functions conferred on the Commission by this Act, the Commission—
must monitor competition in telecommunications markets and the performance and development of telecommunications markets; and
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
must monitor compliance with the Commission 111 contact code; and
must make available reports, summaries, and information about the things referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c); and
must make available reports, summaries, and information about retail service quality in a way that informs consumer choice.
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.
For the purpose of carrying out its functions under section 9A(1)﻿(d) and (e) 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—
prepare and produce forecasts, forward plans, historical information, or other information; and
apply any methodology or format specified by the Commission in the preparation of forecasts, forward plans, historical information, or other information.
After section 69S, insert:
The Commission may, on the terms and conditions (if any) that it thinks fit, grant an exemption from compliance with—
any prohibition referred to in section 69R that is included in an undertaking referred to in that section; or
any provision or provisions of section 69S.
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).
The Commission must not grant an exemption unless—
it is satisfied that the exemption is consistent with the purpose set out in section 69A; and
it has had regard to whether the exemption will harm, or is likely to harm, competition in any telecommunications market; and
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.
This section applies on and after the end of the first regulatory period (as defined in section 205) implementation date.
Section 69SB applies to exemptions granted under this section.
An exemption is a disallowable instrument, but not a legislative instrument, for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012 and must be presented to the House of Representatives under section 41 of that Act.
An exemption must, as soon as practicable after it is granted, be—
published on the Commission’s website in an electronic form that is publicly accessible; and
A notification in the Gazette for the purpose of subsection (2)﻿(b) does not have to include the text of the exemption.
The Commission must give public notice of the exemption as soon as practicable after the exemption is granted.
The breach of a term or condition of an exemption is,—
in the case of an exemption under section 69SA(1)﻿(a), a breach of the undertaking required under section 69R:
in the case of an exemption under section 69SA(1)﻿(b), a breach of section 69S.
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).
In section 156AB, definition of UFB 2, after “UFB initiative” , insert “(which, to avoid doubt, includes the extension to UFB 2 known as UFB 2+)” .
After section 156A(1)﻿(n), insert:
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a Commission RSQ code:
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the Commission 111 contact code:
fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the copper withdrawal code.
In section 156B(1), replace “either” with “1” .
In section 156B(1)﻿(b), after “Crown” , insert “; or” .
After section 156B(1)﻿(b), insert:
in relation a person who commits a breach referred to in section 156A(1)﻿(o), (oa), or (p), accept an undertaking under section 156CA.
After section 156B(1), insert:
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):
apply to the High Court for an order under section 156MA:
apply to the High Court for an order under section 156MB.
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)﻿(p):
apply to the High Court for an order under section 156MC:
apply to the High Court for an order under section 156MD.
After section 156B, insert:
If a person commits a breach referred to in section 156A(1)﻿(p), an end-user (as referred to in clause 1 of Schedule 2A) may take 1 or both of the following actions against the person:
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.
After section 156C, insert:
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.
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).
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:
an order directing the person to pay to the Crown—
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
any pecuniary penalty that the court determines to be appropriate (up to the maximum amount specified in section 156L(3)﻿(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:
Section 156L(4) to (7) applies with any necessary modifications in respect of proceedings under this section.
After section 156M, insert:
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):
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:
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.
The information must be disclosed or published—
in the manner and at the times that are specified in the order; and
at the person’s own expense.
The High Court may hear and determine an application in conjunction with any other proceedings under this Part.
Compare: 1986 No 121 s 42
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 (oa):
an order directing person X to refund money or return property to any other person:
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:
an order directing person X, at person X’s own expense, to supply a service to any other person:
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,—
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:
an order in respect of a contract made between person X and any other person, or a collateral arrangement relating to such a contract,—
varying the contract or the arrangement in the manner specified in the order; and
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.
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
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)﻿(p):
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:
an order directing the person, at the person’s own expense, to supply a service to an end-user.
An order under subsection (1)﻿(b) must not be inconsistent with a restriction that applies under subpart 3 of Part 2A.
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)﻿(p), 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.
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
Replace section 156T with:
The Minister may recommend the making of an Order in Council under section 156S(1) only if the Minister is satisfied, at the time of making the recommendation, that any of the following applies:
no industry-based complaints resolution system has been established:
an industry-based complaints resolution system has been established, but in the Minister’s opinion it has failed to achieve the purpose of this Part set out in section 156U and the objectives of a consumer complaints system set out in section 156X:
the provisions being brought into force by the Order in Council are necessary to implement Government policy:
the Commission has reported to the Minister under section 240(5)﻿(c) that, in relation to the an industry dispute resolution scheme (as defined in Part 7),—
the scheme fails to achieve the purpose set out in section 241; or
the scheme provider fails to achieve the purpose set out in section 242.
The Minister may not recommend the making of an Order in Council under subsection (1)﻿(a) to (c) unless the Minister is satisfied that appropriate consultation has been carried out in accordance with section 156ZJ.
Replace section 156UA(2) with:
To avoid doubt, this Part does not preclude—
the existence of 1 or more industry-based complaints resolution systems in addition to 1 or more systems appointed under this Part; and
the dispute resolution scheme provider for a Commission RSQ code being the person responsible for a consumer complaints system.
After section 156Y(3), insert:
To avoid doubt, a consumer complaints system may resolve complaints by consumers against service providers in relation to a Commission RSQ code.
After section 226 (as inserted by section 23 of this Act), insert:
Part 7 Consumer matters
consumer means, in relation to a telecommunications service, the end-user of the service
industry dispute resolution scheme—
the Telecommunications Dispute Resolution scheme established by the Forum; and
any other dispute resolution scheme that has been set up by the telecommunications industry and deals with consumer complaints; but
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.
The purpose of a retail service quality code is to improve retail service quality to reflect the demands of end-users of telecommunications services.
industry dispute resolution scheme means the Telecommunications Dispute Resolution Scheme established by the Forum
scheme member means a member of the industry dispute resolution scheme
scheme provider means the person responsible for the industry dispute resolution scheme.
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.
The Commission may, at any time, review an industry retail service quality code.
The Commission may require the following persons to provide the Commission with any information relevant to the industry retail service quality code under review:
service providers to whom the code applies.
After each review, the Commission must—
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
advise the Minister of whether any previous recommendations have been implemented; and
advise the Minister of whether, in the Commission’s opinion,—
the code fails to achieve the purpose set out in section 227; or
a Commission RSQ code would better achieve the purpose set out in section 227.
The Commission may make a retail service quality code in relation to the provision of 1 or more types of telecommunications service only if—
no industry retail service quality code has been made in relation to the service; or
an industry retail service quality code has been made in relation to the service, but in the Commission’s opinion—
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.
A Commission RSQ code must—
specify which telecommunications services it applies to; and
specify which telecommunications service providers it applies to; and
promote the purpose set out in section 227; and.
specify the dispute resolution scheme that applies in relation to the code.
A Commission retail service quality code may—
impose binding obligations on telecommunications service providers that provide retail telecommunications services covered by the code; and
contain any other provisions that are necessary or desirable.
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.
The code must be made before the implementation date.
The code must—
require the providers of those services to inform consumers about the options available for vulnerable consumers; and
prescribe a process (or processes) for a consumer of those services, or a person on their behalf, to demonstrate that they—
are a vulnerable consumer; or
will become a vulnerable consumer; and
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
specify the minimum period for the purposes of paragraph (d).
The code may do 1 or more of the following:
specify classes of people that must be considered vulnerable consumers:
specify appropriate means for vulnerable consumers, or persons on their behalf, to contact emergency services:
contain any other provisions that are necessary or desirable to achieve the purpose in subsection (1).
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—
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.
In order to make a Commission RSQ code, the Commission must—
notify give public notice of the process that will be followed to make the code; and
consult with interested persons; and
give public notice of a draft code.
If the code is a Commission 111 contact code, interested persons includes the following:
the Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management:
every provider of an initial call answering point for the 111 emergency service.
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.
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.
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.
The same procedure that applies to making a code in subsections (1) to (3) must be followed to make an amendment or a revocation, with any necessary modifications.
The Commission must give public notice of every code that is made and every amendment or revocation of those codes.
The dispute resolution scheme for all Commission RSQ codes made by the Commission under this Part is—
the an industry dispute resolution scheme; or
if Part 4B comes into force in accordance with section 156S, a consumer complaints system—
that is appointed under that Part; and
that the Minister declares under this section to be the dispute resolution scheme for Commission RSQ codes.
The A scheme provider for the 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 RSQ code.
Sections 235 to 239 apply only if the dispute resolution scheme for Commission RSQ codes is the industry dispute resolution scheme unless Part 4B comes into force.
A dispute between a consumer and a telecommunications service provider about their rights and obligations under a Commission RSQ code may be referred to the an industry dispute resolution scheme by any of the parties to the dispute.
Disputes that may, depending on the relevant Commission RSQ code, be referred to the an industry dispute resolution scheme include disputes about the following:
how consumer complaints are handled:
other matters provided for in the code or by the industry dispute resolution scheme.
Compare: 2001 No 103 s 155ZI
This section applies if a dispute is referred to the an industry dispute resolution scheme and a determination is made on the dispute under the rules of the scheme.
The determination is binding on each party to the dispute who is a scheme member of the industry dispute resolution scheme (except to the extent that it may be modified by the District Court under section 239(3)), and the scheme member has no right of appeal against the determination.
The determination is binding on each party to the dispute who is not a scheme member of the industry dispute resolution scheme, except if one of those parties lodges an appeal against the determination under section 237 and the court modifies or reverses the determination.
Compare: 2001 No 103 s 155ZJ
A consumer or any other party to the dispute who is not a scheme member of the scheme may, within the time allowed under section 238(1), appeal to the District Court against a determination.
The court may confirm, modify, or reverse the decision determination appealed against.
Compare: 2001 No 103 s 155ZK
An appeal under section 237 must be brought and determined in accordance with the rules of court, except that—
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
the court on appeal may not refer the determination back to the industry dispute resolution scheme for any purpose.
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
Members of the 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.
On an application of the scheme provider for the 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:
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.
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.
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
The Commission must, at least once every 3 years, review any dispute resolution scheme that—
has been set up by the telecommunications industry; and
deals with consumer complaints.
The Commission must review each industry dispute resolution scheme at least once every 3 years.
As part of a review of a scheme, the Commission may, without limitation, consider the following:
the purpose of the scheme:
the scheme provider:
the dispute resolution provider for the scheme:
the effectiveness of the scheme in resolving complaints by consumers against service providers:
the adequacy of the scheme rules:
whether the scheme rules comply with the following principles:
whether any recommendations for improving the scheme made under subsection (4) have been implemented:
the purpose of the dispute resolution provider for the scheme:
the procedures that are used for receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints:
how promptly complaints are dealt with.
The Commission may require the following persons to provide the Commission with any information relevant to the matters included in subsection (2):
a service provider who is subject to the scheme scheme member.
After each review, the Commission must provide a report to the dispute resolution provider for the scheme provider on any recommendations for improving the scheme and when the recommendations should be implemented.
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—
the recommendations for improving the scheme made under subsection (4); and
whether those recommendations have been implemented; and
whether, in the Commission’s opinion,—
the dispute resolution provider for the scheme fails to achieve the purpose set out in section 242.
If the Commission proposes to report, under subsection (5)﻿(c), that a scheme fails to achieve the purpose set out in section 241 or that the dispute resolution provider for the scheme fails to achieve the purpose in section 242, the Commission must give the following persons 20 working days to make submissions on a draft report:
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 a timely manner accordance with the principles set out in section 240(2)﻿(e).
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—
to operate the scheme; and
to administer the relevant code; and
to manage consumer complaints relating to the code; and
to investigate disputes relating to the code; and
to promote awareness of the scheme and the code; and
to monitor compliance with the scheme and the code; and
to enforce the provisions of the scheme and the code.
Nothing in this Part limits or affects any right, duty, liability, or remedy that exists or is available apart from this Part.
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.
However, in determining whether to order a person to pay a penalty, compensation, or damages, the court must have regard to—
whether that person has already been ordered to pay a penalty, compensation, or damages for the same matter; and
if so, the amount and effect of that first order.
Compare: 2001 No 103 s 156AS
In the provisions specified in Part 1 of Schedule 4, replace “Telecom” with “Spark” in each place.
In the provisions specified in Part 2 of Schedule 4, replace “Telecom’s” with “Spark’s” in each place.
Repeal the provisions specified in Schedule 5.
In section 5, definition of existing works, paragraph (a), replace “and” with “but” .
In section 5, definition of existing works, repeal paragraph (b).
In section 5, definition of party, paragraph (a), delete “or a residual terms determination made under section 30ZB” .
In section 102(1), delete “and broadcasting markets” .
In section 103(a), after “telecommunication” , insert “(other than facilities used exclusively for broadcasting)” .
In section 107(1)﻿(c), delete “or section 113” .
In section 155D(1), delete the definition of UFB initiative.
In section 156AB, delete the definition of UFB initiative.
In section 156AD(6), definition of UFB 1, delete “in section 156AB” .
In section 156A(1)﻿(g), delete “69ZC(4), 69ZF(2), or” .
In section 160(2)﻿(a), after “telecommunication” , insert “(other than facilities used exclusively for broadcasting)” .
Amend the enactments specified in Schedule 6 as set out in that schedule.
In section 5, definition of chief executive, delete “of Economic Development” .
In section 69C, definition of sharing arrangement, paragraph (a), replace “between Telecom and Chorus” with “between Spark and Chorus” .
In section 153(2), replace “Rating Powers Act 1988” with “Local Government (Rating) Act 2002” .
In section 156AZB, definition of Telecom, replace “Chorus and a successor to Telecom or Chorus” with “Chorus, Spark, and a successor to Chorus or Spark” .
In section 156AZC(2)﻿(a), replace “on which” with “that is 2 years after” .
In section 156AZC(2A)﻿(a), replace “on which” with “that is 2 years after” .
In section 156AZD(2A)﻿(a), replace “on which” with “that is 2 years after” .
Part 2 Provisions relating to Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2017
6A Interpretation
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.
6B Public notice
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.
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.
In subclause (1), former section 6 means section 6 as in force immediately before the commencement of section 4A of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Act 2017.
7 Implementation date
The Minister may, 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.
However, the Minister may defer the implementation date only once.
The Minister must notify a deferral, and specify the new implementation date, in the Gazette.
Subclause (3) applies if the implementation date is deferred.
If the implementation date is deferred, during 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 contains terms relating relates to any of the following:
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:
pricing of those services, including terms relating to maximum prices (but see subclause (3A)):
service levels for the network those services, including service default payments and the measurement and calculation of service levels:
reporting obligations of a UFB partner or an LFC that relate to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) to (c).
A UFB partner or an LFC may, on 1 January July of each year (starting on 1 July 2020), apply an annual CPI adjustment to a maximum price continued by subclause (3)﻿(b).
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.
8 Information disclosure under subpart 3 of Part 4AA
An LFC is not required to comply with any information disclosure requirements under subpart 3 of Part 4AA in respect of any period during which the LFC is also subject to information disclosure regulation under Part 6.
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.
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
LFC has the meaning set out in section 156AB.
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.
8A Application of requirement for geographically consistent pricing under section 200
This clause applies if a price for a fibre fixed line access service was agreed under a contract entered into before the commencement date.
For the period to which the price, or the price as adjusted under the contract, applies,—
section 200 does not apply in relation to the price or adjusted price; and
the price set out in the contract, with any adjustments permitted by the contract, continues to apply.
This clause ceases to apply on the date that is 3 years after the commencement date.
commencement date means the date on which section 200 comes into force
the contract means the contract as at the commencement date.
9 Anchor services review before first regulatory period
Despite section 206(2)﻿(c), if the Commission starts a review under section 206 before the start of the first regulatory period, the review must not consider the prescribed period for an anchor service.
If the Commission starts a review under section 206 before the start of the first regulatory period, the Commission must not recommend amending the prescribed maximum price for an anchor service unless the Commission also recommends amending the specification of the service. 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.
10 Procedural requirements for initial regulations made under section 222 (persons subject to regulation under Part 6) before first regulatory period
Section 222(3)(4) and (6) does not apply in relation to any regulations made under section 222(1) that come into force before the start of the first regulatory period.
11 Procedural Requirements for initial regulations made under section 223 (anchor services)
Section 223(2) does not apply in relation to the first regulations made under section 223(1).
This clause applies in relation to the first regulations made under section 223.
Despite section 223(4), the Minister may recommend that regulations be made under section 223 even though the Commission has not carried out a review under section 206 or recommended that the regulations be made.
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.
The Minister must not recommend the making of regulations under section 223(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.
12 Procedural Requirements for initial regulations made under section 224 (direct fibre access services)
Section 224(2) does not apply in relation to the first regulations made under section 224(1).
This clause applies in relation to the first regulations made under section 224.
Despite section 224(4), the Minister may recommend that regulations be made under section 224 even though the Commission has not carried out a review under section 207 or recommended that the regulations be made.
13 Procedural requirements for initial regulations made under section 225 (unbundled fibre services)
Section 225(2)(4) does not apply in relation to the first regulations made under section 225(1).
Schedule 2 Amendments to Schedule 1
Part 2, subpart 1, under the heading Retail services offered by means of a fixed telecommunications network
Repeal the item relating to Description of service applicable before the expiry of 3 years from separation day.
In the item relating to Description of service applicable after the expiry of 3 years from separation day, in the first column, delete “applicable after the expiry of 3 years from separation day” .
Part 2, subpart 1, under the heading Local access and calling service offered by means of fixed telecommunications network
Repeal each of the following items:
item relating to Description of service applicable before the expiry of 3 years from separation day:
item relating to Conditions applicable before the expiry of 3 years from separation day:
item relating to Initial pricing principle applicable before the expiry of 3 years from separation day:
item relating to Final pricing principle applicable before the expiry of 3 years from separation day.
In the item relating to Conditions applicable after the expiry of 3 years from separation day, in the first column, delete “applicable after the expiry of 3 years from separation day” .
In the item relating to Initial pricing principle applicable after the expiry of 3 years from separation day, in the first column, replace “after the expiry of 3 years from separation day” with “before 16 December 2019” .
After the item relating to Initial pricing principle applicable after the expiry of 3 years from separation day, insert:
Initial pricing principle applicable on and after 16 December 2019
Spark’s standard price for its price-capped residential local access and calling service offered to end-users by means of a fixed telecommunications network in the relevant market, minus 2%; or
if a person is also purchasing Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service in relation to the relevant subscriber line, the price in paragraph (a) minus $31.68, with an annual CPI adjustment applied on 16 December in each year
retail price less a discount benchmarked against discounts in comparable countries that apply retail price minus avoided costs saved pricing in respect of these services, in the case of a service offered by Spark in markets in which Spark faces limited, or is likely to face lessened, competition for that service; or
retail price less a discount benchmarked against discounts in comparable countries that apply retail price minus actual costs saved pricing in respect of these services, in the case of a service offered by Spark in markets in which Spark does not face limited, or lessened, competition for that service; or
if a person is also purchasing Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service in relation to the relevant subscriber line, the price in paragraph (a) minus $31.68, with an annual CPI adjustment applied on 16 December in each year; or
if a person is also purchasing Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access service in relation to the relevant subscriber line, the price in paragraph (b) minus $31.68, with an annual CPI adjustment applied on 16 December in each year
In the item relating to Final pricing principle applicable after the expiry of 3 years from separation day, in the first column, replace “after the expiry of 3 years from separation day” with “before 16 December 2019” .
After the item relating to Final pricing principle applicable after the expiry of 3 years from separation day, insert:
Final pricing principle applicable on and after 16 December 2019
Spark’s standard price for its price-capped residential local access and calling service offered to end-users by means of a fixed telecommunications network in the relevant market, minus actual costs saved; or
average or best retail price minus a discount comprising avoided costs saved pricing, in the case of a service offered by Spark in markets in which Spark faces limited, or is likely to face lessened, competition for that service; or
average or best retail price minus a discount comprising actual costs saved, in the case of a service offered by Spark in markets in which Spark does not face limited, or is not likely to face lessened, competition for that service; or
Part 2, subpart 1, under the heading Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access
In the item relating to Conditions, replace “That either— ” with “The end-user’s building (or, where relevant, the building’s distribution frame) is not located in a specified fibre area, and either— ” .
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
Part 2, subpart 1, under the heading Chorus’s unbundled bitstream access backhaul
In the item relating to Initial pricing principle, in the first column, after “principle” , insert “applicable before 1 January 2020” .
In the item relating to Final pricing principle, in the first column, after “principle” , insert “applicable before 1 January 2020” .
After the item relating to Final pricing principle, insert:
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
Part 2, subpart 1, under the heading Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network
Repeal the heading and each item related to the heading.
Part 2, subpart 1, under the heading Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network co-location
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
Part 2, subpart 1, under the heading Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (distribution cabinet to telephone exchange)
Part 2, subpart 1, under the heading Chorus’s unbundled copper local loop network backhaul (telephone exchange to interconnect point)
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
Part 2, subpart 1, under the heading Chorus’s unbundled copper low frequency service
Replace the item relating to Conditions with:
Chorus’s unbundled copper low frequency service is only available where—
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
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
In the item relating to Initial pricing principle, in the first column, after “principle” , insert “applicable before 16 December 2019” .
In the item relating to Final pricing principle, in the first column, after “principle” , insert “applicable before 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
Schedule 3 New Schedule 2A inserted
Schedule 2A Copper withdrawal code
s 69AF
1 Copper withdrawal code
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:
copper fixed line access services in areas that are, or will become, specified fibre areas:
The code must be prepared before the implementation date.
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,—
access a fibre fixed line access network service; and
have a fibre connection to the fibre service installed—
whether the connection is standard or non-standard, at no cost to the end-user; and
Chorus must give the end-user, the access seeker, and the relevant regulated fibre service provider reasonable notice of the proposed withdrawal of the copper service; and
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 fixed line access network service; and
Chorus must provide the end-user with information about—
the withdrawal of the copper services; and
the need to make alternative arrangements, such as battery backup, to maintain service on fixed line access services the fibre service in the event of a power failure; and
Chorus must, if it is reasonably practicable to do so, provide the end-user with information about the fibre fixed line access services available to the end-user; and
the anchor services or commercial equivalents must be available at the end-user’s premises on a fibre fixed line access network; and
if an anchor service is declared under section 223, the anchor service (or a commercial equivalent) must be available at the end-user’s premises; and
a Commission 111 contact code must be in force; and
any other prescribed matters must be complied with.
The code may contain any other provisions that the Commission or the Forum (as appropriate) considers are necessary or desirable.
anchor service has the meaning set out in section 164(1)
fibre connection means a fibre-based network for telecommunications that incorporates fibre optic cable
fibre service means—
a fibre fixed line access service; or
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
2 Consultation process on code
The Commission or the Forum (as appropriate) must—
notify the process that will be followed to make the code; and
A person is entitled to make submissions to the Commission or the Forum (as appropriate) not later than before the date that is 30 working days after the date on which public notice of the draft code is given (the due date).
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
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.
The same procedure that applies to making a code in clauses 2 and 3 must be followed to make an amendment or a revocation.
5 Public notice of approved code
The Commission must give public notice of—
the approved code; and
every amendment or revocation of the approved code.
Schedule 4 Replacing references to “Telecom” or “Telecom’s”
Part 1 Replacing references to “Telecom” with “Spark”
Section 69C, definition of sharing arrangement, paragraph (c)﻿(vii)
Section 69E(1) and (2)
Section 69F(1)
Section 69G
Section 69H(1) and (2)
Section 69I(1)
Section 69K(2)
Section 69M(1) and (2)
Section 69N(7)
Section 69U(3)
Section 69XK(2)
Section 105(1) and (1A)
Section 111A(2)
Parts 2 and 3 of Schedule 1
Part 2 Replacing references to “Telecom’s” with “Spark’s”
Section 4(eb)
Section 30A(2)﻿(e)
Section 30O(3)
Section 30R(3)﻿(b)
Section 30S(3) and (4)
Sections 30U to 30ZD and the cross-heading above section 30U
Subpart 3 of Part 4AA
Subpart 5 of Part 4AA
Section 156A(1)﻿(h)
Section 156M(1)﻿(b)
Section 156N, definition of enforceable matter, paragraph (c)
Section 157AA
Section 158 and Schedule 4
Schedule 6 Consequential amendments to other Acts
In section 312(2), replace the definition of network with:
network has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Act 2013
In section 216K(4), definition of network operator, replace “section 3(1)” with “section 3” .
In section 122A, definition of network operator, replace “section 3(1)” with “section 3” .
In section 144, definition of business records, paragraph (a)﻿(i)﻿(G), replace “section 3(1)” with “section 3” .
In section 144, replace the definition of telecommunication with:
telecommunication has the meaning given to it by section 3 of the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Act 2013
In section 144, definition of telecommunications network operator, replace “section 3(1)” with “section 3” .
In Schedule 2, clause 1(1), definition of call associated data, replace “section 3(1)” with “section 3” .
In Schedule 2, clause 1(1), definition of network operator, replace “section 3(1)” with “section 3” .
In section 55(3)﻿(g), replace “section 3(1)” with “section 3” .
In section 70, definitions of call associated data and network operator, replace “section (3)﻿(1)” with “section (3)” .
Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Act 2013 (2013 No 91)
In section 3(1), insert the following definitions in their appropriate alphabetical order:
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; but
does not include any conveyance that constitutes broadcasting (within the meaning of section 2(1) of the Broadcasting Act 1989)
Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007 (2007 No 7)
In section 4(1), replace the definition of telecommunication with:
telecommunication has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Act 2013
Introduction (Bill 293–1)
Reinstated before Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee
Reported from Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee (Bill 293–2)
Committee of the whole House (Bill 293–3)