Telco-rules stocktake is still on course

The Government is committed to its "stocktake" of telecommunications regulation, Communications Minister David Cunliffe says.

In an opening address to global internet co-ordinator Icann's meeting in Wellington yesterday, Cunliffe underlined the Government's view that the status quo in the telecommunications industry "did not meet the country's needs" but said key decisions as to the nature of any changes to regulation had yet to be made.

Many hope the stocktake will result in Telecom being forced to open up or "unbundle" its wired network to rivals, with the resulting competition driving faster broadband uptake.

Cunliffe said he had met key stakeholders and gathered written comments and officials were now analysing those.

His office had been "inundated" with public input and "the vast majority signalled a desire for reform".

The Government plans to make its intentions public by mid-year. "Whatever is decided will not please everyone, but that is not our task."

Since the Government signalled its intention to revisit telecommunications regulation, Telecom has announced plans for "faster, cheaper" offerings.

Last week, the company said it would roll out even more advanced ADSL2+ services by the end of the year.

Telecom's smaller rivals have also been active. Yesterday, ihug said it would resell Telecom's 3.5 megabits per second (Mbs) service.

Ihug described that as a stop-gap measure until it gets a decision on its request that the Commerce Commission force Telecom to offer a 7 Mbs wholesale service.

Cunliffe, who also called for greater international co-operation to combat spam, told the Icann delegates: "The challenge facing the whole internet community is to engage with Governments in those areas where public policy can make a difference, whether it is anti-spam legislation or promoting competition in internet access services."

The Icann meeting this week will be watched closely around the world. Issues to be discussed include the highly controversial proposal to create a dedicated .xxx domain suffix for adult content on the internet.

Those in favour argue it would make it easier to filter out objectionable content for young web users. Opponents say it amounts to a legitimising of the online pornography industry.