Publication
Will NZ get it right?
New Zealand is moving towards “utility style” regulation for ultra-fast broadband (UFB) copper and fibre networks. Its main focus is on the application of price–quality regulation based on the ‘building blocks’ model (BBM).
The BBM is just one step towards the utility style regulation. New Zealand has the opportunity to also adopt utility style wholesale pricing which addresses its concerns about affordable anchor products while also encouraging adoption and use of broadband networks.
For more, see Economuse 2016-08-29
All submissions at http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/technology-communications/communications/regulating-the-telecommunications-sector/review-of-the-telecommunications-act-2001/submissions-received-options-paper
Productivity Commission – Submission on USO
The Productivity Commission is taking submissions on the policy for the universal service obligation (USO). Submissions are due by 21 July. The draft report is expected in December with a final report to the Commonwealth bu April 2017.
My thoughts on the future of the USO are expressed at length in my Occasional Paper for ACCAN (see my publications page). But, I have submitted some key point in this 3 page submission USO-Prod.Com.July-2016
Data roaming – Let’s roam like at home
The OECD’s latest report on the state of international data roaming shows that Australia is getting left behind. The cost of using data overseas is outrageously high. Efforts to reduce such costs on a reciprocal basis for travel between Australia and new Zealand stalled two years ago. There is draft legislation on both sides of the Tasman that will give the responsible regulators the teeth to see progress. It needs to be acted on.
For more, see Economuse 2016-04-29-roam
2015 Review of Broadband Pricing
This is the 8th in an annual series that reviews retail broadband plans in Australia.
To read this click Economuse 2015-09-29
Big Pipes (2006)
This report released in April 2006 was inadvertently omitted from my publications page – sorry. It deals with the importance of improved international connectivity (“big pipes”) for big business, big science and the development of the information economy in WA. It is here: bigpipes