MEDIA RELEASE - Vodafone has provided a public version of its response to third party submissions in relation to the application for Commerce Commission clearance of the proposed merger of Sky TV and Vodafone New Zealand. The public response is available on the Commerce Commission website.

Vodafone’s response to third party submissions reiterates the Proposed Transaction will be highly beneficial for consumers and will not result in any loss of competition.

The Proposed Transaction will bring together Vodafone and Sky’s complementary businesses in New Zealand to create an entity that provides Vodafone’s mobile and fixed telecommunications networks with Sky TV’s offering.

Vodafone New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, Russell Stanners said, “Ensuring fast and reliable access to popular content is what our customers are asking for. This in turn will lead to faster innovation to meet continually evolving customer needs.

“When objectively analysed, the third party submissions primarily reflect commercial concerns of the third parties arising from greater competition and consumer choice.

“This is an exciting time for kiwis as the combined offering will make for a more dynamic and innovative market. Rivals will be forced to constantly rethink their offering to ensure the product they deliver is what consumers see as the best value,” Russell added.