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Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has today announced that the Government intends to auction the remaining 2x5 MHz block of 700 MHz radio spectrum.

Telecom and Vodafone each successfully bid for 2x15 MHz (three lots), while 2degrees successfully bid for 2x10 MHz (two lots) during the first round of the auction last month, leaving one 2x5 MHz block of spectrum unsold.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has today announced the firm that will undertake an independent assessment of Chorus’ financial position, and released the terms of reference.

Ernst & Young Australia will investigate Chorus’ capability to deliver on its contractual commitments with the Government, in light of the Commerce Commission’s decisions on final wholesale prices for copper-based broadband services.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has today released the latest quarterly report on the Government’s ultra-fast broadband and rural broadband programmes.

An additional 21,000 end users gained access to fibre over the three months to 30 September 2013.

This means more than 320,000 end users are now able to connect to the Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) network in 26 towns and cities across New Zealand.

Communications and Information Technology Minister has today instructed her officials to commission an independent assessment of Chorus’ financial position and its capability to deliver on its contractual commitments under the Ultra-Fast Broadband and Rural Broadband Initiatives.

Ms Adams has written to Chorus informing the company of her decision.

A Bill that will safeguard public safety and security has passed its third reading in parliament today, Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams says.

Ms Adams says the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Bill will ensure the legislation remains effective in a rapidly-changing telecommunications environment.

There are two parts to the Bill. The first part relates to obligations for telecommunications companies, and is focused on modernising the existing interception capability regime.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has today received the Commerce Commission’s final Unbundled Bitstream Access price.

The Commerce Commission today announced a final Unbundled Bitstream Access (UBA) price of $10.92, an increase from the draft price of $8.93.

When added to the current UCLL price, this gives a combined wholesale copper price of $34.44. This compares to the current price of $44.98 and the entry level fibre price of $37.50 to $42.50.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has today received the Commerce Commission’s final Unbundled Bitstream Access price.

The Commerce Commission today announced a final Unbundled Bitstream Access (UBA) price of $10.92, an increase from the draft price of $8.93.

When added to the current UCLL price, this gives a combined wholesale copper price of $34.44. This compares to the current price of $44.98 and the entry level fibre price of $37.50 to $42.50.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams today announced that the initial allocation round of the 700 MHz spectrum auction has resulted in 2degrees, Telecom, and Vodafone each acquiring management rights to spectrum in the 700 MHz band.

Telecom and Vodafone have each successfully bid $66 million (plus GST) for 2x15 MHz (three lots), while 2degrees successfully bid for 2x10 MHz (two lots) at a price of $44 million (plus GST).

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has today announced that the Government has reached agreement with New Zealand Post on changes to the Deed of Understanding, to ensure the postal service remains viable.

Under the agreement reached between the Government and New Zealand Post, changes to the Deed will not apply until 30 June, 2015.

“Around the world postal volumes are declining. In New Zealand this is at a rate of about 8 per cent per annum,” Ms Adams says.

I move that the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Bill be now read for a second time.

A Bill that will modernise telecommunications security legislation passed its second reading in parliament today, Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams says.

The Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Bill will give clarity and certainty to industry about their obligations, and will ensure that our law enforcement and security agencies have appropriate support from industry to keep New Zealand safe.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has today tabled a Supplementary Order Paper to make further improvements to the  Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Bill.

The changes are in addition to those recommended by the Law and Order select committee.

“The select committee has recommended a number of practical and positive changes to the Bill in response to submissions,” Ms Adams says.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams says the latest push from the Coalition for Fair Internet Pricing to mislead New Zealanders is disappointing.

“It appears that once more the coalition has resorted to hyperbole and scare tactics based on fiction,” Ms Adams says.

“The group has based its latest claim on a submission from Chorus which recommends that the copper price increase from where it is today and presented that as if it is one of the options being considered by the Government. It is not.”.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams is calling for expressions of interest from companies who are considering building a new international telecommunications cable between New Zealand, Australia and the United States. 

“To ensure we have sufficient international capacity in the medium to long term, the Government is making a $15 million contribution available, and would commit to an anchor tenancy on a new cable for research and education purposes,” Ms Adams says.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has welcomed the Waitangi Tribunal’s decision not to grant an urgent hearing of the WAI2224 claim regarding Māori interests in the 700 MHz band of radio spectrum.

“The Tribunal decision notes that the Crown has already had the benefit of the Tribunal’s advice on earlier, similar claims in making its decision regarding the allocation of spectrum,” Ms Adams says.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has made it clear to Transfield Services that she expects the company to pay its contractors as quickly as possible.

“It is my expectation that Transfield Services should be looking to make these payments without further delay.

“Transfield Services needs to explain exactly why this situation has developed, what it is doing to resolve it and give an assurance that it will not happen again.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams leaves tonight for the United States to support New Zealand technology companies and help them expand further into the market.

Ms Adams, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and the New Zealand Technology Industry Association will host a number of events and meetings for New Zealand technology companies, leveraging off the current international focus on San Francisco.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has today announced the timing, reserve price, and implementation conditions for the upcoming auction of the digital dividend radio spectrum.

The allocation of the 700 MHz band of spectrum will allow the building of fourth generation (4G) mobile networks using the spectrum freed up by the switchover to digital television.

The auction is scheduled to start on 29 October 2013.  The start date will be confirmed after completion of the bidder registration process.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has today announced a new training programme to help small businesses take advantage of the Government’s ultra-fast broadband and rural broadband programmes.

A Digital Enablement Training programme will be rolled out across New Zealand in the coming months.

The programme includes workshops to examine how UFB, RBI and other new technologies will impact on companies and identifies the opportunities it presents.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has today released the year two report on the Government’s ultra-fast broadband and rural broadband programmes, which shows the target for both initiatives has been exceeded.

The report shows that fibre was rolled out to more than 129,000 end users in 28 towns and cities across New Zealand during the last three months of the financial year.

This brings the total number of end users that can now connect to the Government’s Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) network to more than 300,000.

Good morning. I am pleased to welcome you all to Parliament today for an event that reflects our shared interest in the telecommunications market in New Zealand.

It is no surprise to anyone here this morning that technological advances are expanding markets and increasing demand for data and bandwidth at a dramatic rate. New Zealanders increasingly have expectations of instant and high-quality connectivity wherever they go.

In what seems like the blink of an eye, technology has become an integral part of our day-to-day lives.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has today released a discussion document that formally begins a review of the telecommunications regulatory framework.

The Government announced in February that the review required under the Telecommunications Act 2001 would start this year.

The first phase of the review will focus on the fundamental relationship between pricing for the legacy copper network and pricing for the new fibre network during the transition period until 2020.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has congratulated eight New Zealand organisations which have been selected as finalists in the global World Summit Awards for creativity and innovation in ICT.

Covering categories ranging from entertainment and commerce to health and education, the awards are an opportunity to showcase New Zealand projects that are at the forefront of new media and e-content creation.

An in-depth report into the performance of New Zealand’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector was released today by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams.

The ICT Report makes a number of findings about the New Zealand ICT sector including: