Telecommunications reform must not leave rural New Zealand behind

Rural Women New Zealand is welcoming the findings and recommendations of the Government's Telecommunications Regulatory Review, released by the Ministry for Regulation.

"Connectivity is essential for rural New Zealand, and access to reliable, affordable telecommunications underpins so many of our rural businesses, communities and essential services," says Interim Board Chair Nicole Oliver.

"We welcome the recommendation to provide targeted financial support to help low-income households transition to newer technology, but phasing out the Telecommunications Service Obligations before reliable alternatives are in place carries real risks for the estimated 80,000 rural consumers still on the copper network, many of whom depend on it for medical alarms and emergency calls," says Oliver.

"That is why strong consumer protections are equally critical, and we support the recommendation for a Commerce Commission-enforced code. But it must account for the distinct challenges facing rural communities, including limited service options and vulnerability to adverse weather events and power outages," says Oliver.

RWNZ will continue to monitor the Government's decisions on the report's final recommendations, and advocate for affordable, accessible telecommunications for all rural New Zealanders.

ENDS