A connected world

In New Zealand, the telecommunications industry is highly regulated compared with other industry sectors in New Zealand.  With the introduction of increased industry-specific regulation in 2001, most activities and transactions undertaken by companies providing telecommunications services are subject to some form of regulatory oversight.

In addition, the government is contributing funds to the development of fibre optic networks.

The commercial arrangements relating to telecommunications services, whether as a network or service provider or as a customer, can also be complex, with highly technical documentation.

Clients and services

Buddle Findlay has expertise in all aspects of legal services relating to telecommunications.  We advise telecommunications companies involved in the telecommunications sector and companies seeking access to telecommunications networks or services on:

  • Regulatory environment for telecommunications, principally comprising the Telecommunications Act and the Commerce Act
  • Commercial arrangements relating to telecommunications, including interconnection and contracts relating to network access for the provision of telecommunications services
  • Radio spectrum management issues
  • Resource consent issues for the construction of telecommunications networks

Recent work

  • Advising a major broadcaster on a range of telecommunications matters, including contracts with telcos, transmission contracts, and telecommunications regulations
  • Advising Unitas Capital and Ontario Teachers Pension Plan on the purchase of Yellow Pages Group and the associated intellectual property assets in a competitive tender process from Telecom New Zealand
  • Acting for a client on arrangements for the purchase of dark fibre services
  • Advising a national provider of fibre optic networks on various commercial issues
  • Advising the syndicate of banks providing funding for the Southern Cross fibre-optic cable, including advising on the telecommunications contracts relating to that cable
  • Advising Ministry of Economic Development in assisting Vodafone and Telecom New Zealand to prepare deeds poll setting out obligations to reduce mobile termination rates and pass the reduced rates to fixed line customers 
  • Advising telecommunications companies on their start-up in New Zealand, including networks establishment interconnection agreements with Telecom New Zealand
  • Advising companies on their commercial contracts for the provision of telecommunications services

Articles