Govt seeks public input on Telecom separation

The structural separation of Telecom would be a major change for the telecommunications industry and the Government is seeking public feedback on what the regulatory impact would be, Communication and Information Minister Steven Joyce says.

Telecom recently announced it was considering structural separation of its network and retail business in the context of the Government's ultra-fast broadband (UFB) initiative.

Crown Fibre Holdings put Telecom on its shortlist of 14 parties for the UFB rollout.

Joyce said the Government had released a discussion document on the regulation of a Telecom separation and was seeking industry and public feedback on the issues involved.

That includes the regulatory regime for copper services, Telecom's operational separation undertakings and the local service Telecommunications Service Obligations.

"To assist the Government in its consideration of any issues that might arise we are seeking input from the industry and interested parties at this stage of the policy development process.

"Should Telecom decide to structurally separate, any changes to the regulatory regime the Government may adopt would be robust and well-informed and tested by the industry and key stakeholders," he said.

Submissions were open until October 15.