As part of a review of how it monitors telecommunications markets, the Commerce Commission is currently seeking feedback on the information it proposes to collect and report on in relation to mobile telecommunications markets.

The proposed changes to the Commission’s mobile monitoring regime are to collect information less frequently but in more detail, and to apply a revised set of metrics that reflects feedback from the industry.

“Telecommunications markets are dynamic, particularly for mobile services. There have been significant changes in both the supply and demand of mobile services since the current monitoring was set up three years ago, so it’s a good time to review the way we monitor this market. For example, new ways of selling mobile services to customers—like bundling together calling minutes, text messages and data—mean that we need to change how we monitor and report prices,” said Dr Stephen Gale, Telecommunications Commissioner.

“We want to make sure we are collecting useful and up-to-date information to inform all stakeholders of key trends and potential threats to the competitiveness of the sector,” said Dr Gale. “We also want to ensure we get consistent information from all mobile providers without imposing an undue reporting burden.”

The Commission is seeking technical feedback on the proposed changes. Interested parties are invited to provide their feedback by 25 September 2014. Please send your feedback to telco@comcom.govt.nz.

The proposed changes, and related information, are available on the Monitoring stategy page.

Background

A key role of the Commission is to monitor competition in, and the development and performance of, telecommunications markets. The Commission also regularly publishes reports based on these monitoring activities.

The document that is being released today corresponds to the second stage of the Commission’s review of its mobile monitoring. It sets out a revised set of metrics that reflects Commission’s consideration of all comments submitted by the industry to the initial discussion paper, which was released in June.

More information about the monitoring of telecommunications markets by the Commission can be found on the Monitoring reports and studies page.

Reporting on communications markets is done primarily through the annual telecommunications monitoring reports.