Herald on fibre plan

The NZ Herald editorial approves:

Preventing a repetition of the vertically integrated monopoly enjoyed by Telecom’s copper network was always going to be a cardinal requirement of the Government’s $1.5 billion investment in an ultra-fast broadband infrastructure. …

Commendably, Mr Joyce has stuck to his guns despite pressure from the country’s three biggest broadband providers – Telecom, Vodafone and TelstraClear. In public, this took the form of a report that questioned the economic benefit of the Government’s plan, and suggested their own long-term network improvements would deliver broadband speeds adequate for the needs of everyday internet users.

In private, there must have been sustained lobbying, given the delay in confirming the Government’s plan. The minister has demonstrated a resolve that deserted several of his predecessors. In addition, he has signalled a welcome willingness to look at codes of practice, regulation or legislative changes if this is required to ensure good practice.

Incidentially I am on TV3 Sunrise at 7.15 a discussing the policy.