ComCom proposes extending Chorus regulatory period

In this edition:Five-year fibre regulation on the tableIndustry calls for connectivity strategySpark fights impersonatorsOne NZ tops benchmark tableNext fibre price-quality regulation to run for five yearsA Commerce Commission draft decision paper makes a case for extending Chorus’ fibre price-quality regulatory period from four to five years. The paper says the fibre market is now mature enough to support a longer planning period.A five-year cycle would bring fibre regulation into line with the Commerce Commission’s regulatory periods for electricity distribution, gas pipelines and Transpower.The current price-quality path is the second four-year cycle. Under the draft decision, Chorus’ third price-quality path would run from January 1, 2029 to December 31, 2033.Incentive to improve efficiencyA longer regulatory period would give Chorus greater incentive to improve efficiency and reduce costs while maintaining service quality. It would also provide more certainty for planning…