Telecom Completes Closure of Jetstream Partnering

Telecom Completes Closure of Jetstream Partnering Programme

Telecom has virtually completed the phase out of the old Jetstream Partnering Programme (JPP), which is being replaced by full wholesale approach.

Under the old JPP customers who had their Internet service with another provider could buy their broadband directly from Telecom. This meant two monthly bills for the customer – one from Telecom and one from their ISP. With the new wholesale arrangements, the customer’s full relationship will be with the ISP.

The closure of the Jetstream Partnering Programme was initially planned for May 2005 but the timeframe for the withdrawal was extended to allow ISPs more time to migrate their customer’s plans.

“The Jetstream Partnering Programme is being withdrawn because ISPs are now able to offer their own complete service packages based on an ISP internet service and UBS or Wholesale Broadband Solution (WBS),” Telecom Head of Wholesale Marketing Chris Dyhrberg said.

“Under their new plans all customers will now be billed by only one provider, their ISP, which will make buying and upgrading plans much easier from now on. This more efficient system is good for both customers and their ISPs.”

Most customers have already been moved by their ISP on to wholesale plans. The final remaining JPP plans will be closed progressively between 20 and 25 January.

Mr Dyhrberg said Telecom estimated that about 2000 customers remained on JPP – down from 14,300 at its peak.

Customers in that situation should contact their ISPs immediately to avoid any potential disruption to their service.

Customers whose JPP plans have ended can contact their ISP to have it replaced with a plan based on a wholesale connection.

Mr Dyhrberg said the closure of the Jetstream Partnering Programme reflected the development of a more mature, competitive wholesale market with more options for ISPs and their customers.

Telecom had worked closely with ISPs on the closure of the programme and had extended the final withdrawal date for the programme a number of times late last year up until the final closure date, Mr Dyhrberg said.

Key Facts

- The Jetsteam Partnering Programme was a commercial arrangement by which Telecom and ISPs worked together to promote JetStream for mutual benefit.

- About 14,300 customers were on the Jetstream Partnering Programme when it was first announced that it would be closed in July 2004.

- ISP’s were able to upgrade their dial-up internet customers to a broadband service by offering them a Telecom retail Jetstream service in conjunction with an ISP provided authentication, email, security and bandwidth service offering.

- Telecom billed the end user for broadband access and the ISP billed the end user for the service package. The ISP was paid a commission for the sale of the broadband service.

- Under the newer UBS and WBS offers, ISPs will have increased control over their own customer management via billing, creating more independence for ISPs and a more competitive market environment.

ENDS

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