The Commerce Commission is seeking clarification of its powers after a judge ruled it had abused gagging orders while investigating alleged collusion between Air New Zealand and other airlines.

A report out today proposes criminalising cartels, with jail sentences as long as seven years.

Even some big businesses employ door-to-door salesmen, but they can carry a stigma.

Telecom admits misleading more than 130,000 of its broadband customers, the eighth time its been in trouble over the Fair Trading Act since 2003.

Buying a bunch of flowers, parking a car and paying bills or fines by credit card could all result in customers having to pay new surcharges.

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee says a big energy company shake-up is designed to give more power to consumers.

The Government has unveiled a shake up of the state owned power companies in an attempt to get more competition into the electricity sector.

An industry watchdog says there are positive signs Telecom is trying to change its behaviour, despite its $500,000 fine yesterday.

The Commerce Commission has made an example of Telecom.

Anyone waiting for cellular network newcomer 2degrees to add on-account services to the prepaid plans it launched at the start of August shouldn't hold their breath.