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Thread ID: 77802	2007-03-23 05:21:00	Telecom wants access to Vodafones network	rogerp (6864)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
535190	2007-03-23 05:21:00	Interesting story at stuff.co.nz I guess if telecoms fixed line network can be unbundled, Vodafones mobile network could be unbundled too. I thought this statement by vodafone was interesting. Vodafone general manager of commercial development Tom Chignell said the original act was designed to help new entrants, not incumbents. "(Telecom) have their own network and if they have made poor choices of technology in the past they shouldn't rely on regulation to save them." Didn't the government require telecom to setup a competing network with a totally different technology from vodafone, in a way to encourage competition? Having two different networks instead has meant double the infrastructure and cost, and we now have the highest mobile phone rates in the OECD. Therefore it wasn't really telecoms choice to not use GSM type technology. Vodafone brought out Bellsouth, so they didn't setup their network here in NZ anyway. Should NZs GSM network be unbundled, which should encourage some real competition?	rogerp (6864)
535191	2007-03-23 06:02:00	No. Vodafone should not have to open up its network. If Telecom wants to make poor choices over, and over, and over again then so be it, but to expect to be able to access a competitors network is ridiculous. If Telecom can't compete, then they either need to invest in a new infrastructure or close their mobile division and invest elsewhere.	maccrazy (6741)
535192	2007-03-23 06:08:00	Agree with maccrazy. There are already two competing networks, and noise about more. The situation is entirely different. I could understand legislating on price though.	Erayd (23)
535193	2007-03-23 06:13:00	There's an easy solution. Just set up a government department to run all telecommunications in the country. We could call it something like "Post Office" (or even "Post and Telegraph Department"). Many of the problems in the "market driven" electricity system could be solved with a similar organisation. What about "New Zealaand Electricity Department"? :thumbs:	Graham L (2)
535194	2007-03-23 06:44:00	No . Vodafone should not have to open up its network . If Telecom wants to make poor choices over, and over, and over again then so be it, but to expect to be able to access a competitors network is ridiculous . If Telecom can't compete, then they either need to invest in a new infrastructure or close their mobile division and invest elsewhere . It is not about choices, you may not know this, but the government effectively forced telecom to invest in an alternative technology as telecom initially wanted to setup a GSM network, but the government wouldn't allow it . The Government wanted 2 different networks, which they thought would allow more competition, which it obviously hasn't . If telecom stopped offering mobile, which I doubt they would, vodafone would have a monopoly, which would mean prices wouldn't drop, and all moeny spent would be going to the UK, or to whoever owns vodafone . I am thinking of the end users here, and the price consumers pay . I mean if there was just one network, these companies could pool their money, and then invest in extending the single network through 100% of the country and install more capacity . They could also have 3G throughout the country which may solve some of the broadband problems for rural users . Maybe NZ's GSM network needs to be overseen by a government department . I mean why do we have 2 mobile networks (one of which is a betamax type of technology), but only one fixed line network . Neither mobile network extends the whole country, and many areas in NZ are still very patchy . Currently vodafones backhaul network can't cope with very high useage, so it does need a lot of investment . This was proven recently when there was an earthquake in Auckland, and vodafones network couldn't handle all the text messages that were sent . I would hate to see how it would cope in a real disaster, such as a major earthquake in Wellington when it happens . It could also reduce the number of those ugly cell towers that blight the country . Personally I hardly use my Vodafone mobile due to the high call costs, and would really like to know why it is so much cheaper to use my mobile in the UK .	rogerp (6864)
535195	2007-03-23 06:48:00	There's an easy solution . Just set up a government department to run all telecommunications in the country . We could call it something like "Post Office" (or even "Post and Telegraph Department") . Many of the problems in the "market driven" electricity system could be solved with a similar organisation . What about "New Zealaand Electricity Department"? :thumbs: Isn't that how it all used to be run . I mean telecom did used to be part of the post office when the government owned it . The problem was that it was very laid back, back then, and you had to wait months to get a telephone connected . In general today, you can get a phone connected the same day(from my experience) . NZ post is effectively a government owned monopoly, but it is doing very well, especially with kiwibank . Maybe they could do a good job with it .	rogerp (6864)
535196	2007-03-23 06:55:00	Agree with maccrazy. There are already two competing networks, and noise about more. The situation is entirely different. I could understand legislating on price though. Yes, but they don't extend through 100% of the country, while our fixed line network effectively does. If any more set up competing networks, they willonly setup in the main population areas. Look at Woosh which is a mobile network provider, they have only bothered setting up in areas of high population where they can make the most return on their investment.	rogerp (6864)
535197	2007-03-23 09:37:00	It is not about choices, you may not know this, but the government effectively forced telecom to invest in an alternative technology as telecom initially wanted to setup a GSM network, but the government wouldn't allow it . The Government wanted 2 different networks, which they thought would allow more competition, which it obviously hasn't . I was not aware of this, could you please post a link so I can read a bit about it . Is this still relevant to their decision making today though? :confused: If telecom stopped offering mobile, which I doubt they would, vodafone would have a monopoly, which would mean prices wouldn't drop, and all moeny spent would be going to the UK, or to whoever owns vodafone . It's doubtful that would be the case . There would still be room for two players in the market . Someone would fill in the gap Telecom left, for example, Econet . I can understand your arguments in many cases rogerp, but if you look at it from a business perspective, how does having one network solve these issues? Would they really invest more, or see it as an opportunity to cut back costs/not want to invest more because they are scared of what the government will do next? Would a third operator then get the same privileges as Telecom would? What happens if each company wants to expand different areas of the network? What if one wants to introduce a 4G network before the other thinks it is financial viable? How do you compete when your service is almost identical to the competition's service (same coverage, same phones, same reliability, same dataspeeds)? What would the implications be for other industries? :2cents:	maccrazy (6741)
535198	2007-03-23 09:39:00	Didnt read the thread, But they can all go to hell. People are idiots if they think any one company is better then the others.	Metla (12)
535199	2007-03-23 16:51:00	**** poll as telecom made a stupid decision as against someone entering the market.	mikebartnz (21)
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