The Commerce Commission today released a discussion paper which provides an overview of the drivers and implications of Next Generation Networks (NGN) deployment internationally, and looks at the relevance of these in the New Zealand market.

The discussion paper is the second part of the Commission's NGN Study. The study, announced in March 2008, is seeking to establish a common understanding of the issues and opportunities arising from Next Generation Networks in New Zealand. The first part of the Commission's study of NGN is complete and submissions received from industry to the Commission's questionnaire are available on the Commission website, www.comcom.govt.nz

The discussion paper:

  • provides an overview of what is meant by Next Generation Networks
  • identifies the general drivers for NGN development with international comparisons;
  • examines the drivers for NGN deployment in New Zealand; and
  • seeks feedback on how the Commission is approaching the study.

Commission Chair Paula Rebstock said, "We intend evaluating potential New Zealand market outcomes by using scenarios of likely services. The discussion paper seeks input into this approach and whether the likely emerging scenarios adequately capture the possible outcomes."

The Commission is calling for responses to the questions raised in the paper by 9 February 2009 and has set up a dedicated email address for comments that people may wish to raise directly with the Commission on the NGN study. The email address is ngn@comcom.govt.nz

Further details of the NGN study are available on the Commission's website www.comcom.govt.nz here.

Background

Next Generation Networks (NGN) is the term used to describe the replacement of legacy telecommunications networks such as Telecom's PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) with new packet based all Internet Protocol ( IP) networks and the replacement of the copper access network with fibre, either to the cabinet or to the home.

The NGN study focuses on understanding the key technological developments that will emerge during the next five years and their impact on the commercial and competitive environment for telecommunications services.

Service Scenarios: Scenarios are widely used by organisations of all types to understand different ways that future events might unfold. In the NGN context, Service Scenarios will consider differing bundles of end-user services (eg voice, internet, video on demand, video conference) to assess likely resulting market structures.

The NGN Study has five parts:

  • Industry questionnaire and consultation - to ascertain the current state of NGN deployment in New Zealand and understand any issues the industry may have.
  • Discussion Paper on drivers and implications.
  • Public Conference 'Broadband at a Crossroads' in Auckland on 26 and 27 February 2009.
  • Draft Report late April 2009.
  • Final report intended for release mid-2009.