Let's wait for details. Really, there's nothing on those stories.

Telecom is understood to have struck an informal deal with the Government to flog off its fixed-line telephone network, valued at more than $3 billion.

Mr Cunliffe said The Dominion Post story was incorrect and there was no deal to sell off the network.

"There is no sell deal to sell off the Telecom network," he told reporters.

But more interestingly:

Some amendments have been made to improve the efficacy of separation and to provide positive incentives to upgrade the network, with appropriate safeguards, he said

An Independent Oversight Group (IOG) would be set up to monitor the split.

The separation of Telecom would take place by March 31 and Telecom had 20 working days to prepare a draft separation plan.

Mr Cunliffe said the IOG would be a high-level watchdog within Telecom comprised of three independent members and have the power to report directly to the Commerce Commission where appropriate.

He said he had laid out the scope and governance of the new Access Network Services. The ANS unit will control and provide services that use the local access network including existing copper, and future fibre and wireless access, to ensure comprehensive service coverage and that the unit is forward-looking and future-proofed.

Cheers

Paul

PaulBrislen: Mr Cunliffe said The Dominion Post story was incorrect and there was no deal to sell off the network.

"There is no sell deal to sell off the Telecom network," he told reporters.

Just to confirm Stuff got it wrong first time (or people read it wrong), they now have a link to a blog "Why Helen should buy Telecom's network"...

So, as I posted in my firtst reply, no news really...

Wake up guys!

lugh: If they sell off the fixed-line network (presumably the new Access Network Services), how do they retain the wholesale arm?  Wouldn't they need to purchase wholesale services themselves from the new owner?

(I'm having a week of dim questions and this probably counts as one.)

Well that is a good question, and just to add something in with this question of yours, one could also ask with the separation of Telecom into 3 arms (Network, Consumer and Wholesale), and with the Wholesale / Network divisions unable to discrimination against access seekers (and the regulated prices) why would Telecom's Retail arm seek access via Telecom Wholesale? Would they not be better to just install their own equipment like everyone else under LLU? If this is the case, I ask what is the point, if no one is going to buy access from Telecom Wholesale, and use their own equipment!

nzbnw