Local loop probe

The Telecommunications Commissioner will explore the prospect of opening the country's "local loop" phone network to competitors.

The Commerce Commission says it plans to start reviewing in March the desirability of regulating access to an "unbundled" local loop and to fixed public data networks, at present owned by Telecom.

The two networks encompass all lines and links between residential or business telecommunications equipment and the local telephone exchange. Telecom has retained a monopoly on the physical "copper wire" network since it was privatised in the early 1990s.

With the exception of TelstraClear, which began setting up its own network several years ago, phone rivals complain that they are not able to be fully competitive because they are dependent on reselling Telecom's services.

The commission said it planned to present a report to the Government by December 20 next year.

- NZPA