Telecommunications Act 2001

Networks - Maintenance of networks - Lines or wireless works on roads

140: Offence to not comply with any of sections 135, 136, and 139

You could also call this:

"Breaking telecom rules can cost you up to $10,000"

Illustration for Telecommunications Act 2001

If you are a network operator and you do not follow the rules in sections 135, 136, and 139, you commit an offence. You can be fined up to $10,000 if you are found guilty of this offence. A court can also order you to pay compensation if it thinks that is a good idea.

If you break this rule, you will have to go to court and might have to pay a fine. The court will decide how much you have to pay, but it will not be more than $10,000. You might also have to pay compensation to someone else.

You have to follow the rules so you do not get in trouble with the law. The law is in place to make sure everyone follows the same rules. If you do not follow the rules, there are consequences, like paying a fine or compensation.

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This page was last updated on 28 May 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM127448.

Topics:

Business > Industry rules

139: Urgency, or

"Doing urgent work without waiting for permission first"

141: Appeals by network operators to District Court, or

"Network operators can appeal to the District Court about road rules they don't agree with."

Part 4Networks
Maintenance of networks: Lines or wireless works on roads

140Offence to not comply with any of sections 135, 136, and 139

A network operator who fails to comply with any of sections 135, 136, and 139 commits an offence.
A network operator who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.
In addition to any fine imposed under subsection (2), a court may make any order relating to compensation that it thinks fit.

Compare

1987 No 116 s 15B

Notes

Section 140(2): amended, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).