Teamtalk Backs Move To Shun Disputes Process

March 8 2010

Media release

Teamtalk Backs Orcon’s Move To Shun Disputes Process

TeamTalk CEO David Ware has applauded Orcon’s decision to withdraw from the Telecommunications Disputes Resolution Services scheme.

“It is further evidence that the process is fundamentally flawed and that the industry cannot be relied on to police itself,” Mr Ware says.

Orcon Chief Executive Scott Bartlett said earlier today that he had written to the scheme’s chairman to say Orcon would withdraw “temporarily,” from the disputes process.

Mr Bartlett says smaller telecommunications companies were paying a disproportionate share of the costs of the scheme.

He was also frustrated that Orcon consumers were contacting the scheme administrators, Dispute Resolution Services, before they had raised queries or complaints directly with Orcon, with Orcon then being billed by the company for passing on those messages.

Mr Ware says it is time to hand the process back to the government agencies.

“I never thought I’d find myself saying this - but leave it to the bureaucrats in the Telecommunications Commissioner’s office and indeed in the Commerce Commission. They are highly experienced, capable, and above all else independent people who are more than capable of managing this process.”

ends

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