New Zealand: Closed Consultation on Deregulation of Mobile Termination Access Services

On 11 December 2024, the Commerce Commission of New Zealand closes its public consultation to gather feedback on its draft decision regarding the potential deregulation of Mobile Termination Access Services (MTAS). These services enable communication between customers across different mobile networks through voice calls and SMS at regulated rates. MTAS are under review due to significant shifts in consumer behaviour and the rise of alternative digital communication platforms like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. The Commerce Commission explores whether the evolving digital landscape and market dynamics render the existing regulation of MTAS unnecessary.