Estimates of appropriations

Vote Communications - Estimates 2008/2009

MINISTER(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR APPROPRIATIONS: Minister for Communications and Information Technology (M14)

ADMINISTERING DEPARTMENT: Ministry of Economic Development

MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Minister for Economic Development

Overview of the Vote#

The Minister for Communications and Information Technology is responsible for appropriations in the Vote for the 2008/09 financial year covering the following:

  • a total of just under $16 million for the management of New Zealand's radio spectrum and policy advice on New Zealand's communications sector
  • a total of just under $8 million for Commerce Commission costs to enforce regulated telecommunications services and undertake specific telecommunications regulatory functions
  • a total of just under $3 million for international membership fees, capital investments in subsidised equipment for hearing and speech impaired people and support and administration costs related to enabling access to the telecommunications relay service
  • a total of $65 million operating and $15 million capital expenditure for development and implementation of mechanisms designed to accelerate investment in broadband infrastructure, and
  • a total of nearly $20 million over four years for the extension of high-speed broadband to both urban and smaller communities.

Details of these appropriations are set out in Parts 2-6 for Vote Communications in the Information Supporting the Estimates of Appropriations.

Details of Appropriations#

Details of Annual and Permanent Appropriations

Details of Annual and Permanent Appropriations - Communications
  2007/08 2008/09
Titles and Scopes of Appropriations by Appropriation Type Budgeted
$000
Estimated
Actual
$000
Budget
$000

Departmental Output Expenses

     

Management and Enforcement of the Radiocommunications Act 1989 (M14)

Management of the radio spectrum, including technical arrangements for the allocation of spectrum, representation of New Zealand's international radio spectrum interests, and management of spectrum sales including costs associated with financial assistance for transition of radio licences when a management right is created or spectrum is allocated to a different use.
10,402 10,262 9,853

Policy Advice - Communications (M14)

This appropriation is limited to policy advice and ministerial servicing in relation to information technology, the Government's Digital Strategy, telecommunications (including broadband), postal services, and the allocation and management of the radio spectrum.
6,151 5,300 5,794

Total Departmental Output Expenses

16,553 15,562 15,647

Non-Departmental Output Expenses

     

Accelerating Broadband (M14)

Development and implementation of mechanisms designed to accelerate investment in broadband infrastructure.
- - 65,000

Administrative Support for Telecommunications Relay Equipment and Services (M14)

This appropriation is limited to funding expenditure for administering contracts procuring the supply of telecommunications relay services textphones and other equipment for user access to relay service platforms (including video) and the cost for administering rental of relay user equipment and depreciating this equipment, together with sponsoring New Zealand Sign Language interpreter scholarships and the purchase of ancillary services to support the availability and uptake of relay services.
1,129 500 859

Enforcement of Telecommunications Sector Regulation (M14)

Purchase of services for dispute resolution over regulated telecommunication services and advice on possible future regulated services and Kiwi Share related issues.
8,628 7,201 7,790

Total Non-Departmental Output Expenses

9,757 7,701 73,649

Non-Departmental Other Expenses

     

Contributions to International Telecommunications Organisations (M14)

The Crown's annual membership of the Asia Pacific Telecommunity and subscription to the International Telecommunications Union.
930 824 930

Total Non-Departmental Other Expenses

930 824 930

Non-Departmental Capital Expenditure

     

Accelerating Broadband (M14)

Development and implementation of mechanisms designed to accelerate investment in broadband infrastructure.
- - 15,000

Acquisition of Textphone Equipment (M14)

To purchase textphones after the establishment of a textphone pool for deaf, hearing impaired and speech impaired people.
610 200 610

Total Non-Departmental Capital Expenditure

610 200 15,610

Total Annual and Permanent Appropriations

27,850 24,287 105,836

Multi-Year Appropriations#

Multi-Year Appropriations - Communications
Type, Title, Scope and Period of Appropriations Appropriation $000

Non-Departmental Other Expenses

   

Digital Strategy - High Speed Connectivity for Growth (M14)

A contestable fund for partnerships that have projects that extend high-speed broadband to regional centres and businesses and make broadband available to smaller communities.

Commences: 1 July 2005

Expires: 30 June 2009

Original Appropriation 20,267
Adjustments for 2006/07 (700)
Adjustments to 2007/08 380
Adjusted Appropriation 19,947
Actual to 2006/07 Year End 6,388
Estimated Actual for 2007/08 7,767
Estimated Actual for 2008/09 5,792
Estimated Appropriation Remaining -