The Commerce Commission has cleared Telecom New Zealand Limited (Telecom) to acquire the management rights from the New Zealand Government for the radio frequency range between 825.015 and 840 MHz, together with the corresponding natural pair management rights in the 870.015 – 885 MHz range. 

The acquisition relates to the renewal of the majority of Telecom’s 850 MHz management rights.  As part of the renewal process, Telecom is selling a block of its 850 MHz rights to NZ Communications.  The Commission considers that the sale of this block is likely to enhance competition in the wholesale and retail markets for the supply of mobile telecommunications services. 

Commerce Commission Chair Paula Rebstock said that the Commission was satisfied that the proposed acquisition will not have, or would not be likely to have, the effect of substantially lessening competition in any of the relevant markets.

Public versions of the written reasons for the decision will be available as soon as practicable on the Commission’s website, www.comcom.govt.nz, under Public Registers.