IRU (Indefeasible Rights of Use) Dec 2009 For well over a decade the telco industry has traded in a unique construct called an Indefeasible Right of Use (or IRU).
An IRU is the contractual grant of rights in a telecommunications facility – usually fibre optic networks (both subsea and terrestrial), and usually in respect of specific fibres or capacity in a network. Fibre optic networks (particularly subsea) require a significant investment to build and operate. IRUs are therefore usually sold for large up-front payments with ongoing operational and maintenance (O&M) fees. Where there is a single or limited number of alternative networks (often the case with subsea cables), the purchaser will also have built its business case and customer base on the basis of continued access and use of the relevant network at a certain cost. > Read More> View PDF
Rolling Out Ultra-Fast Broadband to (a Majority of) New Zealanders Jun 2009 The New Zealand Government has announced its Broadband Investment Initiative (Broadband Initiative) and plans to invest up to $1.5 billion alongside private sector co-investors. The bold proposal seeks to accelerate the introduction of ultra-fast (>100 Mbps) broadband to 75% of New Zealanders. The Government hopes to increase New Zealand's global competitiveness by introducing, within the first 6 years, ultra-fast broadband to priority users such as businesses, schools, health services as well as certain home-users. > Read More> View PDF
The Mobile Content Code Apr 2009 Late last year, the Telecommunications Carriers' Forum (TCF) updated the Code of Practice for the Provision of Content via Mobile Phones that it adopted in 2005.
The original version of the Code followed in the footsteps of similar codes issued overseas, and was issued by the TCF in the wake of widespread media coverage that paedophiles were using text message chat rooms to prey on minors. With mobile phones being increasingly able (and used by customers) to receive a broad range of multimedia content, the TCF's intention was to provide a framework for its members to self-regulate mobile content services provided to their customers in a socially responsible manner, including protecting minors from inappropriate content.
The updated Code deals with the provision of commercial content services supplied by the TCF's members (ie telecommunications carriers and service providers) to their customers via mobile phones. It covers issues around commercial content, chat services, internet content, unsolicited electronic communications and information and advice provided to customers, and makes a number of changes to the original Code, for example by including ringtones and related products within its scope.
Telecom, Teamtalk, Vodafone and TelstraClear signed up to the original Code and are currently being invited along with other interested parties to sign up (alongside OPTN, Rocom, Run the Red and Woosh) to the latest version of the Code.
A Digital Age: the Convergence of Electronic Media Nov 2008 Digital technology and the convergence of broadcasting, telecommunications and the Internet are bringing significant and rapid changes to New Zealand's broadcasting environment. Digitisation has led to a variety of different platforms for distributing "broadcasting-like content"1. As a consequence, there has been an increase in competition between broadcasting, telecommunications and Internet providers for content, as well as changes in consumer behaviour in response to a greater range of choices.
Despite this converging environment, New Zealand's broadcasting, telecommunications and Internet sectors are still largely regulated separately. However, this is currently the subject of review. > Read More> View PDF
Scoping IT Projects - Purpose and Process Aug 2008 Large IT projects often come with a degree of risk for the customer. Often solutions proposed by potential suppliers are set out at a high level, in generic terms without detailed analysis of the customer's existing systems, specific requirements or potential risks with the implementation of that solution. For highly customised solutions, or solutions proposed for business critical systems, it is often desirable for a more detailed consideration of the solution to be undertaken by the supplier (and/or an independent consultant) in conjunction with the customer's staff, so that the customer is in a position to make a better informed decision as to whether to implement the IT solution proposed by that supplier and/or consider particular modifications that may be desirable.
> Read More> View PDF
Radio Licences Security of Tenure; Discussion Paper Released Feb 2007 The MED has released a discussion paper inviting industry and other interested parties to comment on issues relating to security of tenure for radio licences under the radio licence regime. This article discuses some of the concerns underlying the discussion paper and summarises the issues and options that the MED is seeking comment on. > View PDF
Spam Bill One Step Closer to Becoming Law Oct 2006 This article highlights some of th key changes that the Commerce Select Committee has recommended be mae to the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Bill in its recent report to Parliament. > View PDF
Renewal of Rights for Cellular Services - Discussion Paper Released Aug 2006 The Ministry of Economic Development (MED) has released a discussion paper on the renewal of radio spectrum rights for the main bands currently being used to provide cellular services, being rights in the 800MHz and 900MHz ranges. These rights are currently held by Vodafone and Telecom, and begin to expire in 2011. The Government's stated policy objective of ensuring certainty for existing spectrum rightholders is intended to be achieved by offering replacement rights to existing rightholders prior to the expiry of their rights, subject to a case by case review. This discussion paper outlines the review which is currently being undertaken by the MED in respect of the cellular services spectrum rights. Submissions are called for by 25 August 2006. > View PDF
Spectrum Allocation for Broadband Wireless Access - Discussion Paper Released Aug 2006 One of the stated aims of the Government's recently announced package of measures for the telecommunications sector is to encourage investment in alternative infrastructure, including wireless infrastructure. Broadband wireless access is largely used for digital transmission of data with bandwidth capacity significantly greater than that required for telephony (eg internet applications). The availability of appropriate spectrum on which to operate wireless networks utilising various technologies is a key factor for the growth of this type of service. The Ministry of Economic Development (MED) has released a discussion paper setting out some issues in relation to spectrum allocation for broadband wireless access (BWA), for the purpose of seeking input from interested parties. Submissions close 4 August 2006. > View PDF
New Mandatory Rules For Government Procurement Jul 2006 The Government recently released Mandatory Rules for Procurement by Departments (Rules). The Rules were endorsed
by Cabinet in April and set out "mandatory standards and procedural requirements for the conduct of procurement by
government departments". The Rules apply to all "public service departments" listed in the Schedule to the State Sector
Act 1988, plus the Defence Force and the Police (Departments). However, the Government encourages their application
in the wider public sector "as appropriate". > View PDF
