KEY POINTS:
Today is D-Day for Telecom.
Communications Minister David Cunliffe will release the draft document for public consultation on what the Government requires from Telecom when it splits up.
Details will be available after a press conference at 8.45am.
The Government passed the Telecommunications Amendment Act in December last year that will see Telecom separated into retail, wholesale and network units.
This followed from the Government's announcement in May that it would force Telecom to open its network to rivals - known as local loop unbundling. The document released for consultation is a detailed determination on what the Government requires. Telecom will have four weeks to prepare draft separation undertakings.
The Government's main requirements are that the company must operate all its units at arm's length and must have systems in place that require compliance with the separation plan.
Cunliffe can approve or decline the plan and has said he aims for the split to to be completed by mid-year.
Steps To Splitting
* May 3, 2006: The Government announces it will force Telecom to open its network to rivals as part of its Telecommunications Stocktake Review.
* December 13, 2006: The Government passes the Telecommunications Amendment Act with an overwhelming majority in Parliament.
* April 5, 2007: The Government releases a draft Telecom separation document for public consultation.
