M-Co to extend honest-broker role to deed

By RICHARD BRADDELL

WELLINGTON - M-Co, the company that manages the wholesale electricity market - has been appointed to administer and allocate numbers under the telecommunications number administration deed.

M-Co's appointment comes after Elizabeth Longford became independent chairman two weeks ago and clears the way for the first formal meeting to be held before Christmas.

Chief executive Philip Bradley said M-Co would bring to the deed's eight signatories a track record as an honest broker earned in the electricity industry, where it has had to reconcile the interests of fiercely competing members.

Under the deed, M-Co shares a policing function with the independent chairman. Its electricity market surveillance and compliance staff could investigate breaches of the deed if it was called upon.

The deed was agreed late last year after pressure from then Communications Minister Maurice Williamson to solve longstanding differences on numbering issues that have been regarded as constraining competition.

In addition to administration of numbers and secretarial support to the industry committee, M-Co will assist in getting other projects under way, including an economic analysis of number portability which has to be completed within six months.