Telecom granted more time for info systems separation

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Communications Minister Steven Joyce has granted Telecom nine months to cut down potential information-sharing among its units as part of the company’s government-enforced operational separation.

Telecom asked for an extension to implement the logical separation of its shared information systems, which contain confidential client information.

The separation would prevent the wholesale and retail units of the country's largest phone company from accessing this information.

State-owned Kordia Group and lines company Vector Ltd opposed the variation, saying it will give Telecom an unfair competitive advantage. 

Joyce has given Telecom until Sept. 30 2010 to integrate the system. He also exempted a small number of old Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) information systems that contain technical information about the network.

PSTN refers to the world's international telephone system based on copper wire which carries voice data.  

The phone company was forced to split its network, wholesale, and retail services by the previous administration amid claims the integration of the company was holding back much-needed investment in the nation's broadband infrastructure.  

Joyce also approved a variation which will require Telecom to keep the Independent Oversight Group and Commerce Commission updated on "key undertakings-related work programme items" to improve the monitoring of areas that are slipping behind the timetable.  

-BUSINESSWIRE