A standard format has been developed to help consumers compare different fixed line, residential broadband offers from New Zealand’s leading operators. Members of the Telecommunications Forum (TCF), which include Compass Communications, NOW, Orcon, Slingshot, Snap, Telecom and Vodafone, have introduced an ‘Offer Summary’ for each of their residential fixed line broadband plans to help people make direct comparisons between various offers.

The agreed format for the Offer Summary, which forms part of the recently endorsed TCF Broadband Product Disclosure Code, comes as a result of detailed discussions within the TCF.

“We agree with the Communications and Information Technology Minister, Hon Amy Adams, that clear and consistent information helps consumers select the best option for their own circumstances from the wide range of broadband plans now available,” said David Stone, CEO of the TCF. “It also helps consumers understand the benefits they get by selecting higher speed broadband plans, such as those over fibre or cable.”

David Stone continued, “We’ve worked together to create a very consumer friendly format for the Offer Summary, taking advice from consumer representatives along the way to focus on the information that consumers want.”

The Offer Summary initiative forms part of the TCF’s Broadband Product Disclosure Code. Work on the Code is ongoing, and members are currently working to finalise an approach to accurately test broadband performance in a way that allows consumers to make true “apples with apples” comparisons between different offers. Once implemented, the measurements will also be included in the Offer Summaries.

The information contained in an Offer Summary includes all costs, termination fees, minimum contract periods, service availability, how to check your connection speed, effects on other services and what to do in the event of a dispute.