Ihug goes to commission over Telecom's bitstream offering

11.00am

The Commerce Commission today said it had received another application for access to regulated bitstream services, this time from internet service provider ihug.

The unbundled bitstream service (UBS) laid down by Telecommunications Commissioner Douglas Webb was planned to allow Telecom's competitors to re-sell its broadband internet services.

Last week, TelstraClear announced it was going to the commission over "Telecom's games" in providing access to wholesale services.

The service was originally scheduled for launch in June. Telecom then said it had struck technical issues with the service, delaying the launch until September, then saying it may not be until early next year.

However, last Friday, Telecom said it had fixed its technical broadband problems and from today competitors could access its regulated bitstream wholesale service.

Ihug and fellow internet service provider Orcon were to have been the first companies to receive UBS today.

TelstraClear, which last week said it had issues with the service other than its delivery date, was not able to use UBS because of its application before the Commerce Commission.

- NZPA