The Australian and New Zealand governments have started a joint investigation into trans-Tasman roaming rates.
New Zealand communications minister Steven Joyce and his Australian counterpart, Stephen Conroy, will probe roaming services between the two countries to determine whether rates are fair for consumers.
The ministers have threatened to step in with regulation if they find it necessary.
Announcing the investigation, Joyce said the decision to proceed was based on traffic and revenue data provided by operators, as well as responses to a preliminary query last year into whether action was warranted.
The inquiry will specifically seek to determine “whether there has been wholesale market failure...in the provision of trans-Tasman roaming services,” and if any failure is affecting retail customers. A final decision is expected in early 2012.
Regulators from Singapore and Malaysia this month reached an agreement to cut roaming rates by up to 30% for voice calls and 50% for text messages, with the first of the reductions set to take effect from May 1 this year. Data services are currently unaffected.
Both countries are members of ASEAN, and regulators from the association have been discussing stepping in to reduce roaming charges across the 10 member nations.