Fast Facts About the TCF

Who we are

The Telecommunications Carriers’ Forum (TCF) plays a vital role in the New Zealand telecommunications industry by encouraging the efficient provision of regulated and non-regulated telecommunications services with the goal of promoting competition for the long-term benefit of end-users.  We work for and with our industry members in a cooperative spirit to achieve this goal.

What we do

The TCF prepares telecommunications access codes for approval by the Commerce Commission, in accordance with the Telecommunications Act 2001. We also prepare other telecommunications codes, and facilitate dialogue on industry issues of common interest.  Typical projects showing the range of our work include:

• Co-siting
• Telecommunications Disputes Resolution Council (TDRS)
• Electronic Number Mapping  (ENUM)
• Internet Antispam
• Information Reporting
• Local loop unbundling (LLU) and co-location 
• Unbundled Bitstream Access (UBA)
• Environmental Standards.

What we do not do

Unless agreed by our Board, we do not take a representational role in any public or policy debate.

Purpose

The TCF actively fosters cooperation among the telecommunications industry to enable the efficient provision of regulated and non-regulated telecommunications services.

Goal

Our goal is to promote competition for the long-term benefit of end-users of telecommunications services in New Zealand. 

Mandate

Our mandate comes from our membership through the TCF Rules and Handbook and from the requirements of the Telcommunications Act 2001.

Structure

The TCF is an incorporated society registered in 2002.  We are governed by a Board which is headed by an Independent Chair, and operated by a Forum Administrator.  Our work is carried out primarily through working parties, comprised of our members and other representatives.  TCF members are New Zealand telelcommunications carriers and service providers.