Vodafone has removed any uncertainty about its commitment to allow roaming and co-location on its network by new mobile entrants by issuing a legally binding Deed.

Vodafone strives to find commercial solutions to issues that are of concern in the New Zealand telecommunications market and we know that there is a strong desire to have more mobile service providers in the market, says General Manager of Corporate Affairs Tom Chignell.

This Deed is intended to make our commitment to allowing access to our network clear, and legally binding.

The Deed sets down the terms under which Vodafone will provide access to its mobile network to all qualifying access seekers and provides an alternative to regulation. It will remain in place for the next five years.

The terms in the Deed are the same as those proposed in our Undertaking, which is being debated as part of the Commissions roaming and co-location investigation. We understand there was some uncertainty about what would happen were the Commission not to regulate. This Deed should resolve that uncertainty.

A commercial arrangement on roaming and co-location is a far more attractive option than costly, time-consuming regulation that is unlikely to be able to guarantee the outcome that the Commerce Commission wants, says Chignell. After all, this is a service for which there is currently only one serious access seeker.