NZ scores 5.5 out 10 for telco regulatory risk

New Zealand scores 5.5 out of 10 in an assessment of regulatory risk for telecommunication companies in 13 markets in Asia and the Pacific by credit rating company Fitch.

"A high regulatory risk score of six or above denotes that the regulatory environment has a significantly negative impact on the operator's ability to generate free cash flow," Fitch said.

Sri Lanka, Australia and South Korea have the highest regulatory risk score, with Sri Lanka on 6.5 and Australia and South Korea on six. Malaysia has the lowest on 3.5.

New Zealand rated 5.5, the same as India.