Telecom New Zealand backhaul links 'no longer regulated'

The New Zealand Commerce Commission has announced that two of Telecom New Zealand's backhaul links - which connect alternative telecoms providers to Telecom New Zealand's local loop - will no longer be regulated, since they are now subject to competition.

Backhaul services provide Telecom's competitors with access to transmission capacity on specific routes between Telecom's local exchanges and the competitors' networks. By connecting to the telco's local loop, competitors are able to provide retail services without replicating the links.