The Commerce Commission today issued the terms of reference for a study into telecommunications numbering.

Telecommunications numbers in New Zealand are administrated by an industry body in accordance with the terms of the Number Administration Deed (NAD).

The Telecommunications Commissioner, Dr Ross Patterson said, "The NAD was signed in 1999. Significant changes in the market, and rapid development in technology, have prompted the need for this study. We want to ensure that the management of this critical resource adequately meets current and future demands of industry and consumers."

The numbering management study will identify international best practice models for number management and the potential application of those principles in New Zealand. The parties to the NAD are themselves reviewing the structure and principles of the NAD, and the Commission's study will be undertaken with their assistance.

The Commission expects to deliver the final report of the numbering management study in September 2008.

A copy of the terms of reference can be found on the Commerce Commission's website www.comcom.govt.nz under Numbering.

Background

Section 9A (1) (b) Telecommunications Act (2001) as amended in December 2006 empowers the Commerce Commission to proactively conduct inquiries, reviews and studies into any matter relating to the telecommunications industry or the long term benefits of end users of telecommunications services within New Zealand. This power enables the Commission to take a strategic view of any matter that relates to the telecommunications industry.

NAD is the Number Administration Deed entered into by public switched telecommunications service providers in New Zealand to establish a telecommunications industry-based mechanism for the centralized and independent administration of the party's telecommunications numbering resources. Parties to the NAD are Airnet, CallPlus, Compass Communications, M2 New Zealand, NZ Communications, Orcon Internet, Symbio Networks, Telecom, TelstraClear, Vodafone, Woosh Wireless, World-Net and WorldxChange Communications.

Numbering Framework is the instrument that sets out the number allocation rules for each category of numbers for the supply of telecommunications services.