Telecom/Sky conference begins tomorrow

The Commerce Commission conference to consider Telecom's proposal to take a 25 percent interest in Sky Network Television begins in Wellington tomorrow.

Telecom has applied for clearance to acquire 49 percent of HKP Partnership of New Zealand, which owns 51 percent of Sky.

Last month the Commission issued a draft determination tentatively concluding that on the information then available to it, it would clear the proposal.

Telecom and 10 interested parties have made submissions on the draft determination. The two-day conference is an opportunity for Telecom and interested parties to provide further comment and for the Commission to ask questions.

Telecom, Small World Television, Clear Communications, Kiwi Cable, the Telecommunications Users' Association of New Zealand (TUANZ) and Bell South

will make presentations at the conference. Representatives from TVNZ and the Ministry of Commerce will be available, if needed, to answer questions from the Commission. Representatives from Sky may also be present.

Conferences are held to gather information and are not adversarial. The applicant and interested parties cannot cross examine people making presentations.

A final determination is due by September 26.

Venue:Tribunals Division Hearing Room Number 4

Fourth Floor

Wellington District Court

An agenda follows.

Media contact:Communications Officer, Vincent Cholewa

Phone work (04) 498 0920, home (04) 479 1432

At the conference:Investigator, Julian Stephens

AGENDA

Note: Questions can be asked by Commissioners and Commission staff only.