Cunliffe outlines Labour telecoms plan

Communications Minister David Cunliffe yesterday outlined how a returned Labour government would improve services in the telecommunications market

"The changes I am announcing today will make the [Telecommunications] Act more effective, where necessary, in driving down prices and improving the quality and range of services," he said.

The key change would allow the Commerce Commission to set multilateral terms and conditions for access to telecommunications networks, rather than terms that changed deal-by-deal. So if Telecom struck a deal with one company for access to its networks, it would also apply to others.

Cunliffe also wants to stop companies "contracting out" of a regulated service, accepting worse conditions for longer-term deals. "Small players [some internet service providers] don't really have a choice whether or not to accept," he said. Other proposals include allowing the minister to accept or reject parts of a commission recommendation.