The Commission decided to investigate mobile termination after considering complaints that a lack of competition in the mobile termination market resulted in charges for fixed-to-mobile calls in New Zealand that were unreasonably high. Mobile termination rates are the fees mobile phone companies charge other carriers to terminate calls on their networks and are a significant input cost in providing the retail service of fixed-to-mobile and mobile-to-mobile calls.
The Commission commenced its mobile termination investigation in May 2004 and began the process of public consultation with the publication of its Issues Paper on 22 June 2004 and the Draft Report on 18 October 2004.
A conference was held on the 23-25 February 2005.
The Commission released its final report containing its recommendation to the Minister on 9 June 2005.
On 9 August 2005 the Minister announced that he was requiring the Commission to reconsider its recommendation.
In response, the Commission released its Mobile Termination Reconsideration Draft Report On 22 December 2005.
After considering submissions, the Commission released its Mobile Termination Reconsideration Final Report on 21 April 2006, recommending that the termination rate for fixed-to-mobile calls be regulated.