The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum

What The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum does

The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum (TCF), trading as TCF and legally constituted as New Zealand Telecommunications Forum Incorporated, is a non-profit industry association founded in 2002 and headquartered in Auckland. It functions as the recognized industry body for New Zealand telecommunications companies, with member companies collectively representing over 90% of New Zealand telecommunications customers. Its 22+ major members include Spark, One NZ, 2degrees, Chorus, Connexa, Symbio, Kordia, Enable Networks, and Northpower Fibre, alongside numerous retail service providers spanning wholesale and retail, fixed and mobile operators.

TCF's core offering is a portfolio of approximately 30 self-regulatory industry codes covering customer experience (Broadband Marketing Code, Product Disclosure Code, Customer Care Code, Vulnerable Consumer Code), infrastructure and connections (UFB BSS/OSS Standards, IP Interconnection for Voice, VoIP Interoperability, Premises Wiring Guidelines), mobile services (IMEI Block Listing, International Mobile Roaming, Mobile Messaging Services), and public-interest areas (Emergency Calling Code, 111 Contact Code, Copper and PSTN Transition Code). It operates shared industry infrastructure including the Number Portability Management System (IPMS) and the cross-network IMEI Block Listing system, and runs the Telecommunications Dispute Resolution Service (TDR) and the RE:MOBILE mobile phone recycling program. TCF is led by CEO Paul Brislen.

As a member-funded incorporated society, TCF does not generate commercial revenue from product sales. Operating costs are covered by member contributions, with consumer-facing services provided free of charge. Its deliverables are distributed through member telecommunications companies and direct consumer-facing digital channels (website, social media, email newsletters, media releases). The organization also produces industry reports, annual reports, briefings to incoming ministers, and formal submissions on legislative and regulatory consultations, positioning itself as the unified voice of the New Zealand telecommunications sector.

Name

The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum

Legal name

New Zealand Telecommunications Forum Incorporated

Website

https://tcf.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum (TCF) is a non-profit industry association that develops self-regulatory codes, operates shared infrastructure (number portability, IMEI block listing), and provides consumer services like dispute resolution for New Zealand telecommunications operators and end users.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum (TCF) develops and maintains consensus-based self-regulatory industry codes setting standards for the NZ telecommunications sector. It provides consumer-facing services including independent dispute resolution, number portability administration, IMEI block listing for lost/stolen phones, and the RE:MOBILE phone recycling scheme. The organization also publishes industry reports, annual reports, ministerial briefings, and submissions on regulatory matters.

Product overview

The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum (TCF) is an industry body that serves as a unified voice for telecommunications companies in New Zealand, representing over 90% of New Zealand telecommunications customers through its member companies. Rather than offering a single product, TCF provides a portfolio of self-regulatory industry codes, consumer services, and publications. The core offering consists of approximately 30 industry codes that set standards for customer experience (including the Broadband Marketing Code, Product Disclosure Code, Customer Care Code, and Vulnerable Consumer Code), infrastructure and connections (including UFB standards, VoIP interoperability standards, and premises wiring guidelines), mobile services (including IMEI block listing, mobile roaming, and messaging codes), and public services (including Emergency Calling Code and the 111 Contact Code). TCF also operates consumer-facing services including the IMEI block listing system for lost/stolen phones, the RE:MOBILE mobile phone recycling program, number portability services, and dispute resolution scheme access. The portfolio is complemented by publications including industry reports, annual reports, ministerial briefings, submissions, and media releases, as well as various workstream programs addressing fraud prevention, climate change, scam prevention, and emergency management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Telecommunications Dispute Resolution Service
• Number Portability Services
• IMEI Handset Block Listing
• RE:MOBILE Mobile Phone Recycling Scheme
• TCF Industry Codes Portfolio
• TCF Publications and Reports
• TCF Submissions
• TCF Workstreams

Named customers9 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• GSMA: Global mobile industry association that develops standards, runs industry programs, and represents mobile operators worldwide. Directly comparable to TCF's industry-coordination and self-regulatory role, but at global scale.
• CTIA: US wireless industry association representing carriers and mobile ecosystem participants on policy, spectrum, and consumer issues. Comparable self-regulatory and advocacy role to TCF.
• Communications Alliance: Australian telecommunications industry forum that develops self-regulatory codes, consumer codes, and industry standards across fixed and mobile networks. Closest functional equivalent to TCF in a neighbouring market.
• Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA): US-based industry association developing standards for ICT networks, equipment, and services. Comparable standards-and-codes development mission to TCF, though broader in scope.

Regional players

• Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA): Australian mobile industry association focused on mobile-specific issues including handset recycling, IMEI block listing, and consumer programs. Direct functional overlap with TCF's mobile-related services in a neighbouring market.
• InternetNZ: New Zealand non-profit that manages the .nz domain and advocates for an open internet. Operates in the same country and engages on overlapping digital/telecom policy issues but focuses on internet governance rather than telecom operator codes.

Broad incumbents

• Ofcom: UK communications regulator handling telecom, broadcasting, and spectrum oversight. Adjacent to TCF's consumer protection and dispute resolution remit, though statutory rather than self-regulatory.
• FCC: US federal regulator for communications, including spectrum, broadcasting, and consumer protection. Adjacent role to TCF's standards-setting and consumer protection functions but operates as a government authority rather than an industry forum.
• Commerce Commission (New Zealand): New Zealand competition and consumer regulator that enforces telecommunications-specific regimes (e.g. 111 Contact Code) referenced in TCF's work. Overlapping remit in NZ telecom consumer protection.

Others

• Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand (TUANZ): New Zealand-based organization advocating for telecommunications users and hosting industry events. Comparable stakeholder-engagement role but focused on consumer/business user interests rather than industry self-regulation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/letstalktelco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3335817
• Instagraminstagram.com/tcf.talktelco.nz
• Xx.com/tcfnz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum