Lawyer to chair telco group

By Richard Braddell

WELLINGTON - Fears that a contentious telecommunications numbering deed would result in drawn-out processes for resolution of numbering issues were reinforced yesterday with the announcement that a management committee has only just appointed an independent chairwoman.

The appointment of Auckland lawyer, Elizabeth Longworth, comes seven months after the Commerce Commission authorised the deed which was only agreed after Government intervention last year brought to a head years of bitter industry wrangling.

The management committee, which expects to meet for the first time this month, is only now finalising a short list for the appointment of an independent number administrator, although it expects to make an announcement soon.