Commerce Commission issue draft copper deregulation report

Chorus Limited
Level 10, 1 Willis Street
P O Box 632
Wellington
New Zealand

Email: company.secretary@chorus.co.nz

STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT

12 March 2025

Chorus welcomes Commerce Commission’s draft recommendation to
deregulate copper

The Commerce Commission (Commission) has released its draft report recommending
deregulation of the wholesale copper services listed in s69AH of the
Telecommunications Act, including copper voice and broadband services. The
Commission is now consulting on its report, with submissions closing on 9 April.
The basis for the Commission’s draft recommendation is that regulation is no longer
needed to promote competition due to widespread availability of alternative services.
Chorus has approximately 80,000 copper connections remaining outside of areas
where fibre is currently available. This total has reduced by 21% in the last year as
customers migrate to better alternative technologies.
Chorus Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer Julian Kersey said Chorus welcomes the
Commission’s draft recommendation to deregulate copper services.
“This draft report recognises that copper is no longer meeting the needs of consumers,
and they are increasingly turning to better technologies for connectivity such as
wireless and satellite services. The days of regulating copper services because they
were the only choice are long gone.
“Chorus is retiring the copper network by 2030 as the network is not sustainable and
no longer meets New Zealanders' growing technology needs. Only 10 per cent of
Chorus’ connections remain on copper and superior alternative services to copper are
universally available.
“We acknowledge the Commission’s comments on consumer protection. We are
committed to a clear consumer-centric retirement process that supports transition of
customers still on copper to modern services,” he said.
The Commission’s draft report is available here:
https://comcom.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0036/364788/Copper-Services-
Investigation-Draft-recommendation-report-12-March-2025.pdf
The Commission is required to finalise and provide its report to the Minister for Media
and Communications by no later than 31 December 2025.

Authorised by:

Kristel McMeekin
General Counsel


ENDS

For further information:

Brett Jackson
Investor Relations Manager
Phone: +64 4 896 4039
Mobile: +64 (27) 488 7808
Email: Brett.Jackson@chorus.co.nz

Vicki Gan
Media and Content Manager
Mobile: +64 (22) 075 0159
Email: vicki.gan@chorus.co.nz