Chorus releases update of its FPP modelling data

The Commerce Commission has today released its draft Final Pricing Principle (FPP) determinations which propose an aggregate price of $38.39.

This compares to the aggregate $34.44 price that was previously derived from the Commission’s Initial Pricing Principle (IPP) benchmarking review.

The draft FPP individual product prices are:

· A draft UCLL price of $28.22; compared to $23.52 currently;

· A draft SLU price of $14.45; compared to $14.21 currently; and

· A draft UBA price of $10.17 compared to $10.92 currently.

“We will review the materials announced today and continue to work constructively within the Commerce Commission’s process as these draft prices are finalised,” says Mark Ratcliffe, CEO, Chorus.

“The aggregate price represents around a $6.50 decline from the regulated wholesale price of $44.98 that was in place until 1 December 2014, so consumers should not expect to see any increases in retail pricing."

On the basis that all other charges and demand remain consistent, Chorus estimates that the draft FPP pricing represents around an $80 million annualised EBITDA reduction from demerger pricing, based on connection numbers at 30 September 2014.

This compares to the aggregate annualised EBITDA reduction of around $170 million Chorus identified from the Commission’s earlier UCLL, UCLFS and UBA IPP decisions.

The Commission has not provided any guidance on backdating or on transaction charges at this stage.

The Commission has also announced that it is consulting on whether to open a review of the UBA service and the scope of any such review.