February 26, 2014
Council not giving up on spectrum
The New Zealand Maori Council says only an allocation of spectrum will settle Maori spectrum claims.
Communications Minister Amy Adams says Cabinet will make a final decision on a $30 million information and communication technology fund for Maori once the auction for the digital dividend spectrum is completed.
Telecom is waiting to hear from the Commerce Commission whether it can go ahead with the purchase of the extra block of spectrum it won at auction last month.
The spectrum, which was freed up by the shift to digital television, is needed for the next generation of so called 4th generation mobile data networks.
Maori Council co-chair Maanu Paul says the ICT fund offered by Ms Adams in lieu of spectrum for Maori won’t make the claim go away, because trying to quantify Maori issues in dollars never works.
"Our view has always been we own the spectrum, we have interests in the spectrum. We had a settlement with 2G that recognised that position and we want that same position to prevail in today’s negotiations with Amy Adams and we’re awaiting and invitation to talk to her," he says.
Amy Adams says she is working with Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples on how the ICT fund might work.
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