On 11 June 2019, we released our findings on backhaul services in New Zealand. In our study we found that while further regulatory intervention is not necessary at this time, we will continue to monitor backhaul services.

The purpose of the study was to:

  • understand how the market for domestic backhaul services has evolved in today’s telecommunications environment and what it may look like in the foreseeable future
  • consider what, if any, changes may be required or are desirable to the regulatory framework to best promote competition for the long-term benefit of end-users.

Given that backhaul services are an important component of all telecommunications networks, the reason for this study was to explore whether the current regulation for backhaul is fit for purpose, bearing in mind:

  • the current uptake of regulated backhaul services
  • the changing nature of backhaul services(s)
  • the deployment and uptake of Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB)/Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) and the reliance on backhaul for these services
  • emerging competition issues (if any) that may require a regulatory response.
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