Ms Adams has asked the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to begin work on a regulation framework to include enhanced disclosure requirements for matters such as the total cost of a service, broadband speed, data caps and contract lengths.
“As the ultra-fast broadband network is rolled out around the country, consumers will need a clear foundation on which to consider and compare broadband offerings,” said Ms Adams.
“It is important that consumers are provided with accurate information about competing product offerings and are able to make informed choices. While my initial focus is on residential broadband services, I would anticipate that transparency in other communications services could be included in this work programme in due course.”
Ms Adams welcomed the recent move by the New Zealand Telecommunications Forum to develop its own code of practice. “But I think the Forum’s code of practice should be developed in parallel with the development of the Government’s proposed regulatory framework.”
