Key can’t duck blame for internet, phone price increases

new-zealand-labour-party

Wed Dec 10 2014 13:00:00 GMT+1300 (New Zealand Daylight Time)

Key can’t duck blame for internet, phone price increases

Wednesday, 10 December 2014, 2:07 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Labour Party

Clare
CURRAN

ICT Spokesperson

10 December 2014 MEDIA STATEMENT
John Key can’t duck blame for internet and phone price increases

Shareholders are winning out over Kiwi households in the latest episode of the long-running fiasco on copper network phone and internet prices, Labour ICT spokesperson Clare Curran said today.

“As predicted last week hundreds of thousands of Kiwi households now face monthly price rises for their phone and internet connections after Spark, Vodafone and Callplus all announced prices hikes today.

“John Key’s controversial assurance two years ago to Chorus Chair Sue Sheldon that that he would sort out the copper price issue to protect Chorus shareholders continues to hurt Kiwi households.

“When the Commerce Commission accepted Chorus’ argument about the value and replacement cost of a new network the die was cast to keep the copper broadband price higher.

“The telcos are now raising prices to protect their own revenue margins and satisfy their shareholders.

“Meanwhile it’s the poor old consumer who gets to pay the price,” says Clare Curran.

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