Fibre-Based Phone and Internet to New Subdivisions

Telecom Wholesale and Worldxchange Communications Deliver Fibre-Based Phone and Internet to New Subdivisions

New Zealanders moving into selected new subdivisions around the country will be able to enjoy next generation telecommunications services, following an announcement made at the Digital Strategy Summit launching a joint project by Telecom Wholesale and WorldxChange Communications to deliver phone and broadband services over fibre optic cables connected directly to homes.

Starting with ten new subdivisions under development, Telecom is laying down fibre cables instead of traditional copper. Telecom Wholesale will leverage the high performance capability of the new fibre network, and provide the underlying connectivity to enable WorldxChange to deliver their proven Xnet VFX digital voice over broadband service.

WorldxChange will deliver advanced phone and internet services via their next generation IP product suite, which will enable end-users to control service features such as call forwarding, voicemail notification and three-way calling by using a simple online portal to adjust settings to suit their needs.

“We are delighted to work with WorldxChange to be the first to bring faster, better telecommunications services to users in these new communities,” said Telecom Wholesale CEO, Matt Crockett. “We are committed to providing open access to our networks, and with new homes scheduled to be completed from February 2008, it is great to work with WorldxChange to deliver a tried and tested VoIP service in time for the first residents moving in.”

“This project provides us with an excellent opportunity to showcase true next-generation telecommunications services running over Telecom’s NGN,” said WorldxChange Director of Operations & Carrier, Paul Clarkin. “Over the past five years, we have invested heavily in carrier-grade IP technology and we view Telecom Wholesale’s decision to partner with us as a significant milestone for customers and also an indication of how services will be provided to access seekers under operational separation.”

As part of the Telecom Wholesale and WorldxChange project, residents of new subdivisions in Wanaka, Queenstown, Papakura, Cromwell and Orewa, will be the first to experience high-quality VoIP services delivered over fibre. The pilot project will run until September 2008 and will be available to up to 1000 homes across those locations.

Early in the New Year, Telecom Wholesale will kick off industry and customer consultation in order to define a fully equivalent broadband fibre tail offering. It aims to move quickly to develop and launch this product and give customers the capability to deliver phone and internet services over fibre connections as soon as possible.

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About Telecom Wholesale

Telecom Wholesale is an operationally separate business unit within Telecom NZ. that delivers next generation wholesale network connectivity products to service providers throughout New Zealand. Its broadband, business data, voice and interconnect products give wholesale customers the foundation on which to build their own network or telecommunications services for their end-users.

About WorldxChange Communications

WorldxChange is a privately owned telecommunications carrier that has been operating in New Zealand since 1996. The company has 65 employees and 70,000 voice, data and internet customers nationwide. WorldxChange specialise in fully convergent IP solutions and was recently voted the 2007 TUANZ Telecommunications Carrier of the Year.

ENDS

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