The Government has completed its Telecommunications Sector Review, with Regulation Minister David Seymour and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith announcing a package of proposed changes aimed at reducing outdated regulation and improving sector performance.
The review identifies 22 recommendations across five key areas, focusing on cutting red tape in Telecommunications Service Obligations (TSO), simplifying Telecommunications Development Levy (TDL) calculations, updating fibre regulations, and improving service access.
Seymour said the current regulatory framework has not kept pace with technological change, describing existing rules as rooted in the “copper age” and no longer suited to a fibre-based communications environment. He said modern telecommunications services should not be constrained by legacy regulations designed for landlines and dial-up internet, which have slowed innovation and service development.
One of the central changes approved by Cabinet is a simplified approach to calculating the TDL. The revision removes the requirement for externally audited financial information, which Seymour said had led to inconsistent outcomes depending on the reviewer. The change is expected to save telecommunications providers about $5 million over the next decade.
If all recommendations from the review are implemented, the Government estimates total net benefits of between $35 million and $45 million over 10 years.
Goldsmith said telecommunications services are essential for daily life, supporting work, social connection, and access to digital services. He said the regulatory framework must support a competitive and growing economy while ensuring all New Zealanders can access reliable and affordable services.
He noted that while some parts of the current system are working effectively, other areas require reform. Further work will be undertaken on key issues, including Telecommunications Service Obligations, before final decisions are made.
Ministers are continuing to assess the recommendations, with decisions on implementation expected in due course.
Image credit: Denny Muller
I’II stick to the ‘copper age’ thanks Seymour.
Oh, and BTW, just as an aside, barely worth mentioning, the wonderful generous big-corporate telecommunications monopoly CEO’s just had a quick locked-door boardroom meeting and have decided to increase your monthly bill by 26.773%…. thank you…. have a lovely 2026…
Name and address please.
I want to express personally my admiration for his corporate executive decision.
BLAH BLAH BLAH…what does that mean for the citizen?
Pl translate this into information that can be digested by others than the echelon of back-room dealers.
If $$$ are saved, who are these $$$ going to/saved by? Certainly not the tax payer, ay?
How does this ‘review’ serve the public?
Can we expect a breakdown of this govt’s proposed package of changes?
Who wins, who loses?
I don’t even apologize for being highly incredulous to anything govt announces.
Just look at what these traders of inflation do to the electricity prices. If THEJ think that we think that THEJ have no clue of how this rort is perpetrated onto the people of New Zealand, thej are dead wrong……but alas, thej are not thinking.
Thej are scheming.
We should all be back on the copper network….it’s far superior.
It’s about controlling online content.
Only ever good for the telco oligopoly, never the Kiwi consumer.