4th November 2015

TUANZ (The Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand) yesterday submitted its response to the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment’s discussion paper: Regulating communications for the future – Review of the Telecommunications Act 2001 .  

Building on 30 years of representing telecommunications users, TUANZ response is based on its new strategic direction to ensure New Zealanders can make the most of the digitally connected world. “TUANZ position has been consistent and clear: The availability of competitively priced, good quality connectivity in all parts of NZ is a critical economic enabler for the future of the NZ economy.” said Craig Young, CEO of TUANZ.  “We want to work collaboratively with industry and government to deliver our vision but the outcomes for Users will always be our most important driver.”

The submission is a result of a series of TUANZ member workshops which presented further information and allowed for debate and discussion on the issues. “Our focus in our submission is the outcomes of any review for users rather than specific details.  However we have suggested a view on the issues we believe are critical to the continued development of our connected economy” Mr Young said.  

Of critical importance to TUANZ and its members is that the hard work done by all parties to get us to a point where we have fierce competition at the retail level for broadband services, and an independent pricing regime in place for the bottleneck access assets is not lost in the review.  TUANZ supports the Government’s proposal that regulation of the Telecommunications sector is still required, and agree that it should be targeted at the access layer.  Members are also clear that the future pricing of these access services must be settled by the time the current arrangements expire in 2020.

TUANZ also supports the investigation of alternative approaches to the current pricing modelling approach in the Act which were developed in quite a different time in the telecommunications market.  TUANZ awaits for further detail on how any alternative model (eg Utility pricing approach) would be applied before commenting further.

A key issue for TUANZ members is the state of competition with the mobile market. Since the Act was originally passed we have seen continued investment by the two major mobile networks in initially extending coverage, and more latterly in the upgrading of the networks for greater speeds which we recognise has led to significant head to head competition.  We have also seen the arrival of a third mobile network operator, but that only came about after significant challenges around gaining spectrum and a workable roaming agreement were overcome.  In our view, we have seen no successful Mobile Virtual Network Operators develop within the New Zealand marketplace.  During our consultation with members, it was expressed that we are unlikely to see the investment in a fourth mobile network and so we believe that, for the long term benefits for end users, there should be an independent review of the wholesale mobile market around all aspects, from the cost and availability of roaming arrangements to MVNOs, through all forms of infrastructure sharing.  The aim should be to ensure that the right access and incentives are in place to create innovate competition at the retail level. This review could be undertaken by the Commerce Commission similar to other investigations it has undertaken.

TUANZ looks forward to continuing to represent the views of users in this critically important process.

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23 October 2015, For Immediate Release

 A consortium of 12 successful tech-related conferences and bodies have announced a major collaborative ICT conference in Wellington in July 2016.

 ITx 2016, to be held at Wellington’s TSB Arena and Shed 6 complex on 11-13 July 2016, will include 12 individual tech-related conferences under one roof. Aimed at those working in the software and IT industry, ITx 2016 will include diverse specialist conferences focusing on areas such as testing, tech education, agile, communications, innovation and the internet, IT project management, professional practice, open source, exporting and commercialization, and more.

 In announcing ITx 2016, IITP CEO Paul Matthews said that the ITx concept had been born as a 3-conference collaboration in 2014 and the model had been hugely successful. “ITx brings the wider tech community together while maintaining specialisations, the best of both worlds”, Matthews said.

“ITx will bring together leaders in the tech sector from around New Zealand and the world”.

While the IT industry had been criticised at times for the fragmentation of bodies, events like ITx showed that collaboration was alive and well in the sector.

NZTech CEO Graeme Muller pointed to ITx as a great example of a united industry working together. “While we and others have growing individual programmes of events and other activities, ITx is a great opportunity for our sector to come together as one”, Muller said.

itSMFnz President Tristan Boot echoed that sentiment. “For the first time, itSMF Conference delegates will not only get the best of service management, but have the opportunity to learn and network with professionals from right across the sector”, Boot said.

“Being involved with other organisations in the ICT area fits nicely with our common need to collaborate as we look to raise New Zealand into a top 10 nation for business usage of ICT,” said TUANZ CEO Craig Young.

NZRise Co-chair Victoria MacLennan also welcomed ITx 2016 and the unashamed focus on the industry. “New Zealand’s digital technology industry is a thriving sector and large employer. It makes perfect sense to bring as many smart people as possible together under one roof”, MacLennan said.

Computing and IT Research and Education New Zealand (CITRENZ) Co-Chair Alison Clear says ITx as an opportunity for even greater collaboration across education and industry. “The successful CITRENZ conference has been fostering that education/industry partnership since 1988, and ITx is a great opportunity to grow that massively”, Clear said.

InternetNZ Chief Executive Jordan Carter also highlighted the importance of collaboration and the tech industry working together. “We are pleased to be a part of ITx as an opportunity to work together with organisations and events from around the tech industry. ITx will be an exciting opportunity for collaboration in shaping the future of the Internet for the benefit of New Zealand,” says Carter.

The Project Management Institute of New Zealand’s South Island Chair, James Dobson, is thrilled that PMINZ are a part of ITx. “Our annual Conference (usually held in Sept/Oct) focusses on Project Management across all industries. 40% of our members are IT Project Managers, so getting the chance to rub shoulders with the key players in the industry is a great opportunity. One of PMINZ’s key goals is to work more closely organizations where there is a crossover with project management – this will certainly allow us to do just that!”, Dobson said.

ITx 2016 will also see conferences across health IT, testing, agile, telecommunications, internet innovation, open source and IT project management. Health Informatics NZ (HINZ) CEO Kim Mundell said ITx was a great opportunity for those involved in Health IT to get together to hear about the latest in both health informatics and the sector as a whole. “This is the best of both worlds”, Mundell said.

 ITx partners include:

• The Institute of IT Professionals NZ (IITP), the largest body of IT Professionals in NZ;
• NZ Technology Industry Association (NZTech), the body representing tech companies;
• NZRise, the representative body for NZ-owned digital technology companies;
• IT Service Management Forum NZ, the network for IT Service Management professionals;
• CITRENZ, the body of computing schools in the Institute of Technology and Polytech sector;
• Health Informatics NZ, the leading body for individuals practicing in health IT;
• TUANZ, the representative body for ICT and communications users.
• Test Professionals Network, the leading forum for promoting excellence in systems and software testing;
• Agile Day, where Agile professionals come together;
• InternetNZ, the voice of the internet community;
• Project Management Institute of NZ, representing PM professionals; and
• NZ Open Source Society (NZOSS), the body promoting Open Source Software in NZ

ITx 2016 will be the largest independent tech-related conference in New Zealand in a generation, with more than 1200 delegates expected across three days.

 ENDS

6th October 2015

TUANZ has today welcomed the Government’s announcement from the Minister of Communications, Hon. Amy Adams of a new target for Rural Connectivity of 50Mbps for 99% of the New Zealanders by 2025.  Over many years TUANZ has consistently stated that that the availability of good quality high speed connectivity in all parts of New Zealand is a critical economic enabler for the future of the NZ economy.

“One of the 5 key goals in our recently released strategic direction is to continue to advocate for ubiquitous high quality connectivity across the country and this newly announced Government target is a good step forward towards achieving this goal.” said the CEO of TUANZ, Craig Young.  

As part of the submission made by TUANZ in July of this year regarding the RBI2 and Mobile Black Spots programme, TUANZ called for a bold vision where New Zealand should work to meet the aspiration that the rural connectivity experience is the same as the urban connectivity experience.  “It’s heartening to see that the Government has heard rural voices in regards to setting an ambitious goal for providing them quality connectivity.  We pressed for at least the FCC’s latest pronouncement on broadband as being 25 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload so this goal of 50 Mbps is a commendable uplift” said Mr Young.  “Obviously we would be keen to see this in place as early as possible so we challenge both the Government and providers to work to achieve the target earlier if possible”

TUANZ is committing to continuing to lead in pursuing this ambitious vision as well as providing a watching brief over the actual delivery against the target.  “Our only concern is that as technology changes and the demands grow, that we regularly question whether the target is still applicable or whether we should continue to raise it in line with user expectations.”

A copy of our RBI2 and Mobile Black Spots submission can be found on our website here: http://tuanz.org.nz/representation/2015/7/3/tuanz-response-to-the-ufb-and-rbi-extensions

 ENDS

Building on 30 years of representing telecommunications users, TUANZ is setting out in a new strategic direction to ensure New Zealanders can make the most of the digitally connected world.

TUANZ vision is to work collaboratively with industry and government to make sure that by 2020 New Zealand is among the top ten countries for business use of digital technology.[1]

TUANZ Chair Pat O’Connell says TUANZ has always been and will remain an independent and professional organisation that represents the interests of the users of digital technology.

“Our role will continue to be to put the business user at the centre of industry and government decision making in a sector that is going to define our economy for the foreseeable future”, says O’Connell.

“Digital technology and connectivity are the defining opportunities of the modern era, and throughout New Zealand we need to inform, educate and support businesses to raise their digital competency and take advantage of the opportunity in the digital economy.” 

The telecommunications and technology industries are undergoing a period of rapid change, with the government’s investment in Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) and the Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI), its Green Paper on digital convergence, and the ongoing review of the Telecommunications Act. 

O’Connell says that the moment is right to make decisions and put in place structures that will ensure New Zealand has a telecommunications and technology industry that is focused on delivering users exceptional service and support through fair and sustainable competition.

“TUANZ’ role is to help everyday New Zealand businesses – the users of digital connectivity – to get their needs and interests in front of industry and government, with a focus on achieving outcomes which will see our members’ businesses succeed”, said O’Connell.

“New Zealanders deserve ubiquitous and high-quality connectivity across the country. Our opportunity is to provide decision makers in industry and government with informed, credible and independent advice on what business users expect to get out of their investment in digital technology.”

TUANZ members welcome new direction

Downer New Zealand has congratulated TUANZ on its new strategic direction, saying that it has an important role in helping all businesses become informed and educated about the potential of digital technology. 

“As a member of TUANZ Downer strongly supports its vision to see New Zealand ranked among the top ten countries in the world for business use of digital technology, says Mike Maunsell, Director – Network Operations at Downer.

New Zealand’s investment in digital infrastructure through the UFB and RBI programmes has been a great first step in making it possible for businesses to unlock the value of digital connectivity, says Mike.

“It is vital that the users of digital technology, from large businesses like Downer, through to the smallest rural SME have a voice in this sector, and that is a role which we believe TUANZ will expertly fulfil.”

[1] According to the Network Readiness report of the World Economic Forum – New Zealand is currently ranked 19th for business usage. 

7th September 2015

TUANZ has today announced the launch of its NextGen leadership programme, which will focus on building a community of the next generation of leaders across its membership organisations.

The NextGen leadership programme is an early initiative as part of its new strategic direction to be released at its AGM on the 30th September 2015.  

Craig Young, CEO of TUANZ, said: “New Zealand has a great opportunity to develop into an economy driven by digitally enabled businesses, and TUANZ can play an important role in bringing businesses, Government and communities together to the long term benefit of New Zealand.

“At the heart of that is building collaboration and involvement of the next generation of leaders and decision-makers within the TUANZ membership. This programme will include a broad range of individuals who fill roles across a wide range of organisations.  Examples might include future leaders within the ICT functions of corporates, within regulatory and support teams in telco’s, customer service roles, through to sales and marketing.”  

Chorus has agreed to take up the founding sponsor position.  

Ian Bonnar, Chorus GM Corporate Relations said: “The disruption caused by New Zealand’s evolution into a fully digital economy gives our country a massive opportunity to re-shape its place in the world, and fundamentally change the lives we lead. But for New Zealand to thrive it is going to require the next generation of leaders to challenge the way we do business, collaborate and innovate.  

“It is also essential for New Zealand to remain competitive that we make the most of the talented people available to us, no matter what their background or status.  It is my hope that this programme will bring together a diverse group, who will challenge current thinking, drive real changes, and ensure greater equality of opportunity for talented Kiwis over the coming years as they move into leadership positions.”

TUANZ will also receive support from The Skills Organisation as the programme is developed.

 Membership of TUANZ will be a prerequisite and a volunteer leadership group which will oversee the programme will be set up.  This group will be supported and administered by TUANZ but is to be made up of individuals from the target group.  

 Initial elements of the programme will include hosting specific events for the participants in the programme, encouragement to attend TUANZ events to encourage networking, and the development of relevant mentor programme with TUANZ providing resources and feedback processes to monitor the effectiveness of the programme.

For further information contact Craig Young, CEO, TUANZ (craig.young@tuanz.org.nz, 021488188) or Ian Bonnar, GM Corporate Relations, Chorus (ian.bonnar@chorus.co.nz, 09 358 6688)

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