Save NZ’s landline phones – action needed NOW

by Katherine | 27 Jan, 2018 | Latest News

IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM WEBSITE EDITOR:  If you are a Grey Power member there is still time to make a submission on this bill as members of this organisation have been given a extension until March 30. Please click HERE to learn more.

Introduction:

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It’s the number you dial in an emergency and for most New Zealanders it has been a reliable home phone that they have used if they have ever faced a medical emergency or needed to call the Fire Service or the police.

Most New Zealanders cannot remember ever having lived without a basic home phone, thanks to the reliable copper-based infrastructure that has been installed all around New Zealand over the course of many, many decades.

Now, a new bill threatens continuing access to a copper-based landline home phone and safe, low cost wired internet access for people living in many parts of New Zealand.

The “Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Bill” could result in copper landline services being phased out in areas of New Zealand where fibre optic cables have been installed. If the bill is passed in its current form this bill it would deprive people of the basic home phone service and safe wired internet connection.

The entire bill may be read at this link:

https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/BILL_74818/telecommunications-new-regulatory-framework-amendment

The clause of the bill that proposes to deregulate the copper phone line infrastructure in parts of NZ where fibre optic infrastructure has been installed and could result in copper based infrastructure being phased out is below:

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2017/0293/latest/DLM7393574.html

The parliamentary website link that details how to make a submission is below:

https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission/document/52SCED_SCF_BILL_74818/telecommunications-new-regulatory-framework-amendment

Here is a brief guide to how to make a submission on the bill:

Please take five minutes to make a submission.

If you are a Grey Power member you have an extension on the time you have to make a submission until March 30. Please click HERE for details

It is extremely important that as many people as possible express their opinions on the importance of maintaining landline phones.

1. Open a new document on your computer, or get some writing paper. Start your document with your name, “Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Bill”, and “I oppose any change to NZ’s telecommunications regulations that could mean that people who live in areas where fibre optic infrastructure has been installed would lose access to a safe and reliable copper cable based landline phone line and internet access service” or similar words to this effect.

2. You can then write as little or as much as you want, sharing your views about why it is important for people to be able to have access to a copper phone line.

If you would support 30 year moratorium on the removal of copper landline infrastructure, please state this, in your submission.

3. If you need ideas for your submission many reasons why reasons why copper based phone lines are important for a safe home phone line and inexpensive internet access are listed at this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/reasons-oppose-legislation-reduce-access-copper-landline-phone-system/

NB: It is best to write a unique submission (even a short one) as a unique submission will carry more weight with the select committee. 

However, if you are really pressed for time there is a template submission that you can download and personalise from this LINK of the Stop Smart Meters NZ website.

If you do use the template submission, please make it as individual as possible as that it does not appear to be a template submission.

If you wish to appear before the Committee to speak to your submission, then state that also. (NB: Speaking before the committee is optional).

5. If you’re emailing your submission, ATTACH your submission document (step 1) to the email, and in the email itself, put the heading: Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Bill” and your details: Name of Individual / Family / Organisation, Address, Phone, Signature. Don’t put your personal details in the attached submission document as your submission is posted on the government website.

Send your submission to: edsi@parliament.govt.nz

If you are emailing your submission, please send an email through the Stop Smart Meters NZ contact form to let us know tat you have sent a submission.

6. If you’re posting your submission, once you have completed step 1, do a covering letter (separate piece of paper) with the heading “Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Bill”, and your details: Name of Individual / Family / Organisation, Address, Phone, Signature. Don’t put your personal details on your actual submission (step 1) as your submission is posted on the government website (but not the covering letter)
7. Post to: Matt Lamb, Committee Secretariat, Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160.

Thank you in advance for making a submission!

The closing date for submissions was February 2 but Grey Power members have an extension until March 30. Please click HERE for details.

Thank you for reading this post; please share it with others:

Please share this post widely such as through social media and with friends and family and ask others to make a submission.

NB: If you are on Facebook, please consider “liking” and “following” the following page so that you can get updates on the landline phone issue.

https://www.facebook.com/Save-Our-Landlines-NZ-1626155717464225/

Please also share the links below so that people understand the reasons why maintaining the copper based landline phone system is important:

Are New Zealand’s EMR regulations sufficient to protect public health?

Reasons to oppose legislation that could reduce access to the copper landline phone system

NB: If you are on Facebook, please consider “liking” and “following” the following pages so that you can get updates on the landline phone  issue and smart meter issues.

https://www.facebook.com/Save-Our-Landlines-NZ-1626155717464225/

https://www.facebook.com/Stop-Smart-Meters-NZ-1211462805538548/

Interested in the smart meter issue?

Please note that if you would like to receive email updates on the smart meter issue for NZ, you can sign up to the free email list at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz