Telecom Invests In Christchurch’s Future

Telecom is signalling its commitment to Christchurch with the launch of three initiatives.

Telecom is; - introducing a new residential package combining - the first founding sponsor of the Canterbury Innovation Incubator - entering a five-year sponsorship with the Canterbury Rugby Union.

Telecom Chief Operating Officer Kevin Stratful says the new developments reflect Telecom’s strategy to regionalise its offers to customers, and its business and community sponsorship.

“New Zealand no longer has one telecommunications market– the market varies from region to region and centre to centre. Christchurch is characterised by a high level of competition and a rapidly growing technology sector, and our approach in the centre is customised accordingly,” he says.

Mr Stratful said the developments also reflected Telecom’s desire to develop partnering arrangements.

“Partnering is at the heart of both the package developed with SKY and the Canterbury Innovation Incubator. Strategically, we see partnering as the best and most efficient means of delivering what customers and the community need,” Mr Stratful says.

The Package

Christchurch customers will have access to a package combining their Telecom HomeLine with a subscription to SKY Digital, called TVLine, for $59.95 per month.

Mr Stratful says the package was designed to give more choice and convenience. This was part of an ongoing trend in the convergence of home entertainment and telephone services and would give Christchurch people a great blend of entertainment and telecommunications.

Canterbury Innovation Incubator

In an endeavour to support the growth of new businesses in Christchurch, Telecom this week became the first founding sponsor of the Canterbury Innovation Incubator.

The incubator provides a supportive business environment where new technology-based companies can develop and mature.

By the end of 2001 the incubator is expected to involve 10 emerging compan ies primarily in the areas of information and communications technology, biomedicine and biotechnology, environmental technologies, multimedia software, advanced materials and precision engineering.

“The incubator will help to develop the region’s business skills and innovation while also acting as a magnet for attracting skilled people to the city,” Mr Stratful says.

Sponsorship of Canterbury Rugby Union

In a further development, Telecom has become one of four major sponsors of the Canterbury Rugby Union in a five-year sponsorship deal.

Telecom has been the main sponsor of metropolitan club rugby in Christchurch for the last three years. It is also a national sponsor of the Telecom Rugby Super 12 and a major partner in the All Blacks.

Package Detail: The package is available to customers in Christchurch city and suburbs. The SKY joining fee is $99. Standard domestic SKY installations only. A 12-month contract applies with a $50 fee for early disconnection.

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