Pursuant to clause 9 of Part 2 of Schedule 1AA of the Telecommunications Act 2001 (“Act”), I hereby defer the implementation date for the new regulatory framework for fixed-line fibre access services until 1 January 2022.

Recent changes to the Act require the Commerce Commission to implement a new fibre regulatory regime by 1 January 2020. However, the Act allows for the implementation date to be extended for up to two years after this date, if the Commission makes a written request to the Minister for the date to be extended.

The Commission made this request on 20 November 2018.

The deferred commencement date will allow the Commerce Commission more time to develop and finalise the new regulatory framework.

Dated at Wellington this 12th day of December 2018.

Hon KRIS FAAFOI, Minister for Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media.