2degrees and Vocus New Zealand (also known as Orcon Group) have officially become the country’s third-largest telco following completion of their NZD1.3 billion (USD848 million) merger.
Despite its increased scale, Mark Callander, CEO of the combined business which will continue under the 2degrees name, claimed that company would retain its challenger mindset and further disrupt the market for the benefit of consumers. ‘2degrees is a well-recognised and trusted brand, now offering New Zealanders access to a world-class mobile network, a national fibre network, as well as energy capability,’ he said, adding: ‘Today we have brought together two organisations which for decades have disrupted and challenged the New Zealand telco market, lowering the cost of services and driving product innovation through a relentless customer focus.’
Noting its ongoing 5G network rollout in main centres across New Zealand and the expansion of its fixed wireless broadband offering was key to 2degree’s future, Callander also announced the launch of the company’s 5G unlimited fixed wireless access broadband package at an introductory price of NZD65 a month.
The combined company serves approximately 1.5 million mobile subscriptions and 355,000 fixed line subscriptions by means of 1,800 mobile cell sites and 4,600km of fibre, providing network coverage of 98.5% of places Kiwis live and work.