The Commerce Commission keeps tabs on pricing in wake of Vodafone deal
The Commerce Commission, an age
ncy of the New Zealand government, has mobilized to keep tabs on pricing for calls between fixed line platforms and mobile phones. The move comes in the wake of a deal between Vodafone New Zealand and TelstraClear, in which Vodafone acquired the latter party. The Commerce Commission is poised to keep an eye on the pricing schemes coming from Vodafone, as well as other telecommunications companies operating in the country. The agency has already imposed lower prices on calls in several mobile networks.
Regulator preparing to keep track of mobile commerce
Though the regulator is poised to take action if it detects some form of foul-play in terms of call pricing, the Commerce Commission is also keeping an eye on the growth of mobile commerce within the country. Mobile devices are becoming more common with consumers. As such, more people are being exposed to the concept of mobile commerce, whereby their mobile device is used to make payments for goods and services.
Youth of mobile commerce industry holds potential for malicious activity
Typically, mobile commerce platforms do not make money off of the applications they provide to consumers. Instead, companies charge a fee for each transaction processed through t he platform. Because mobile commerce is still a relatively young industry, there is potential for some companies to exploit consumers. It is this potential for malicious activity that has the Commerce Commission on its toes and ready to crack down on foul-play it may see.
Vodafone may be gearing up to push mobile commerce in New Zealand
Vodafone New Zealand is one of the largest mobile network operators in the country and is part of the larger Vodafone network. Vodafone has shown interest in mobile commerce in countries like Spain, but seems to have limited this interest to the European market. With TelstraClear now a part of the Vodafone network, the company may be gearing up for a push to bring mobile commerce to New Zealand, but such plans have not yet been set in stone.
