Historic Day for Consumers, Says Drop the Rate, Mate!

The members of the Drop the Rate, Mate! campaign are celebrating an historic win for consumers, as the Commerce Commission delivers its recommendation to regulate mobile termination rates to the Minister.

Campaign spokesperson Suzanne Chetwin of Consumer NZ, said that the decision was a win for every New Zealander. "There are more than four million cellphones used in New Zealand, and every user is going to see the benefits of cheaper costs and better services as a result of this regulation."

The final step in the two-year investigation process is for Steven Joyce, Communications and IT Minister, to decide whether or not to accept the Commission's recommendation.

"We are confident that Mr Joyce will do the right thing by consumers. There is no longer any doubt that high MTRs are harmful, and regulation is the right move. This will be the easiest decision Minister Joyce has to make this year, and let's hope he does so quickly."

The members of Drop the Rate, Mate! also expressed their appreciation for the support of the more than 13,000 Kiwis who had signed up to the campaign via www.droptherate.org.nz.

"The loudest voice in this debate has been that of the public. Without Kiwis voicing their frustration with the status quo, we may never have achieved this outcome."

Drop the Rate, Mate! was founded in August 2009 by Airnet NZ Ltd, Consumer NZ, Federated Farmers, the Federation of Maori Authorities, the New Zealand Union of Students Associations, the Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand, 2degrees and the Unite union.

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