History and quick facts
Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited (Telecom) was formed in 1987 out of the telecommunications division of the New Zealand Post Office, a government department. In 1990 Telecom became one of the first telcos in the world to be fully privatised.
Since privatisation, Telecom's business has changed from simple telephony in New Zealand to complex communications throughout Australasia.
2008
Telecom is operationally separated on 31 March into three distinct New Zealand operating businesses. These units are: network and access business Chorus, Telecom Wholesale and International, and Telecom Retail and Gen-i. They are supported by the Telecom Group Corporate Centre including Technology and Shared Services. Australian business AAPT is not part of this separation.
Telecom undertakes a nationwide broadband enhancement project to make high-speed broadband available to 80% of New Zealanders by 2011. Telecom also announces it will build a new W850 mobile network, to launch mid-2009.
2007
Telecom announces the sale of Telecom's Yellow Pages Group to a private equity consortium consisting of CCMP Capital and Teachers' Private Capital, the private investment arm of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, for NZ$2.24 billion.
Telecom shuts down its 025 network at 6pm on 31 March
2006
Telecom New Zealand International (TNZI) opens a new Singapore office to extend its next-generation soft switch network into Asia.
Telecom launches the "Revision A" upgrade to its EV-DO network technology, which powers Telecom's Mobile Broadband service, bringing faster download and upload speeds.
Telecom announces a new partnership with Yahoo!7 to form a joint venture, to be called Yahoo! Xtra, which will replace the existing XtraMSN site in the portal space from 1 March 2007.
Telecom sells its 90% shareholding in Telecom Samoa Cellular Limited to Digicel (Samoa) Limited
2005
Telecom launches its online shopping portal - Ferrit.co.nz
Telecom passes the 250,000 mark for residential broadband customers.
Telecom and Alcatel agree on a project to build the IP Voice platform for Telecom's Next Generation Network, with Telecom to invest $220 million in the new network and system capability.
Telecom 027 customers are able to access new music on the move, with the launch of the Telecom Music Store.
2004
Telecom acquires Gen-i and Computerland and integrates them with Telecom Advanced Solutions to create a much larger Gen-i offering a range of ICT solutions.
Telecom launches New Zealand's first Third Generation mobile phone network (T3G), using EV-DO technology.
Telecom announces its 025 network will be shut down in 2007.
2003
Telecom has 508,000 customers connected to its 027 CDMA Network as at December 31, 2003.
2002
Telecom and Alcatel form a strategic partnering relationship to manage the development and integration of Telecom's trans-Tasman Next Generation Network (NGN).
Just 14 months after launching, Telecom has more than 200,000 customers on its 027 CDMA network.
2001
Telecom invests NZ$38 million in a submarine cable between New Zealand's North and South Islands. It switches on the CDMA wireless network, covering more than 98% of New Zealand's populated areas.
Telecom takes a 19.9% stake in Hutchison 3G Australia, a company set up to develop 3G services in Australia.
2000
Xtra signs up its 300,000th customer, Telecom Mobile celebrates 1,000,000 customers connected to its network and the Southern Cross cable is switched on.
esolutions, an alliance of Telecom, EDS New Zealand Limited (EDS) and Microsoft New Zealand Limited, begins developing ecommerce products.
1999
Telecom cements its future as an Australasian company by buying 78 percent of AAPT Pty (AAPT) - Australia's third largest telco. Telecom raises its AAPT shareholding to 100 percent in December 2000.
Telecom launches a new nationwide payphone network using smart card technology. AAPT acquires 100 percent of Internet business connect.com.au Pty Ltd.
Telecom takes EDS as its IT partner. The relationship includes a 10 year NZ$1,500 million agreement for EDS to supply all Telecom's IS services, and an equity position by Telecom in EDS.
Jetstream - Telecom's fast Internet service based on ADSL technology is launched and rolled-out progressively in local exchanges.
1998
Southern Cross Cables Limited, approximately half owned by Telecom, announces plans to build a fibre optic cable linking New Zealand with Australia and North America.
Telecom celebrates 500,000 mobile customers connected to its network.
1996
Telecom establishes an exchange in the United States for international traffic.
Telecom launches Internet service provider XTRA, which becomes New Zealand's most popular Web portal.
Telecom begins rollout of a fibre-coax cable network in parts of Auckland and Wellington under a plan to launch 'FIRST MEDIA' pay television services (closed in 1998).
1995
Telecom switches on its National Fault and Work Management System allowing more efficient handling of, and response to, customer fault calls.
1992
Telecom switches on the NZ$200 million Tasman 2 fibre optic cable between Australia and New Zealand.
1990
Telecom is sold to wholly owned subsidiaries of Bell Atlantic Corporation and Ameritech Corporation for NZ$4,250 million. A year later it lists on the New Zealand, Australian and New York stock exchanges.
1987
Telecom buys the telecommunications business of the New Zealand Post Office and becomes a State Owned Enterprise - a Government-owned business with a commercial focus.
The New Zealand telecommunications market is progressively deregulated and from April 1989 anyone can compete with Telecom.
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