TEL
01/07/2014 10:54
NAME
REL: 1054 HRS Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited
NAME: TEL: Telecom confirms August 8 for Spark launch date
1 July 2014
Telecom confirms August 8 for Spark launch date
Telecom New Zealand announced today that it intends to change its name to
Spark New Zealand, as signalled earlier this year, with effect from Friday 8
August 2014.
"Spark is much more than just a new name - it reflects enormous change
underway in our business and in the world around us," said Chief Executive
Simon Moutter.
"As a company we've moved far beyond the home telephone. Spark better
represents what we are today - it is all about mobile data, online
entertainment, Cloud services, the internet of things, or whatever new
technology is around the corner.
"Spark is a word that has life, energy and links to creativity, the modern
tech economy and our desire to enable our customers to thrive - as we help
unleash the potential in all New Zealanders."
Mr Moutter said the transition to Spark is a massive undertaking with a vast
number of underlying technology changes required as well as the more visible
changes to branding and signage. While the change in legal entity names would
be effective from August 8, some changes would be phased over a period of
time to manage the transition in the best way for customers.
"The technical transition to Spark is extremely complex, especially with so
many of our customer services revolving around digital connections via our
networks or the internet," Mr Moutter commented.
"Phasing in the changes is therefore the best way to reduce the risk of
disruptions to customer services and to manage the transition
cost-effectively. Throughout this transition period, the priority is to
ensure customers continue to receive great service - regardless of whether
the brand name visible to the customer is Spark, Telecom or Gen-i."
Spark New Zealand will have the following core business units and brands:
- Spark Home, Mobile and Business will be the new name for Telecom Retail,
providing access to technology in new and innovative ways to help New
Zealanders and New Zealand businesses move forward and reach their goals. It
will operate under the Spark and Spark Business brands.
- Spark Digital will be the new name for Gen-i, providing solutions for the
rapidly evolving needs of business, enterprise and government customers as
they meet the demands of an increasingly globalised, connected and mobile
customer base.
- Spark Connect will be the new name for Telecom Connect, delivering the
technology, products and processes to ensure great customer experiences and
world-leading connectivity via the Spark Network.
- Spark Wholesale will be the new name for Telecom Wholesale, utilising the
Spark Network to provide a range of wholesale products to telecommunications
retailers.
Spark Ventures will be the new name for Telecom Digital Ventures,
accelerating the company's future focus and pace of innovation, and
delivering new services and businesses such as WiFi, Internet TV and Smart
Data analytics.
The names of some other business units and brands will not change: these
include Revera (business Cloud services); Skinny (mobile); Bigpipe
(broadband); Qrious (data analytics); Lightbox (Internet TV); and Telecom New
Zealand International.
Key market information in relation to the name changes of Telecom's listed
entities, and information on some of the other companies within the Telecom
Group that are also making the change to Spark, is outlined below.
For more information on the transition to Spark, visit the Spark is Coming
website at www.spark.co.nz
KEY MARKET INFORMATION
- Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited intends to become Spark New
Zealand Limited effective on 8 August 2014:
NZSX
Existing
Company name: Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited
Ticker code: TEL
ISIN: NZTELE0001S4
New
Company name: Spark New Zealand Limited
Ticker code: SPK
ISIN:Remains unchanged
ASX
Existing
Company name: Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited
Ticker: TEL
ISIN: NZTELE0001S4
New
Company name: Spark New Zealand Limited
Ticker: SPK
ISIN: Remains unchanged
OTC
Existing
Company name: Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited
Ticker: NZTCY
ISIN: NZTELE0001S4
New
Company name: Spark New Zealand Limited
Ticker: Remains unchanged
ISIN: Remains unchanged
- TCNZ Finance Limited intends to become Spark Finance Limited effective on 8
August 2014:
NZDX
Existing
Company name: TCNZ Finance Limited
Ticker codes: TCN490, TCN520, TCN550
ISIN for TCN490: NZTCND0028S9
ISIN for TCN520: NZTCND0031S3
ISIN for TCN550: NZTCND0034S7
New
Company name: Spark Finance Limited
Ticker codes: SPF490, SPF520, SPF550
ISIN for TCN490: Remains unchanged
ISIN for TCN520: Remains unchanged
ISIN for TCN550: Remains unchanged
Luxembourg Stock Exchange
Existing
Company name: TCNZ Finance Limited
Ticker codes: GBP 125m May 18, GBP 150m April 20
ISIN for GBP 125m May 18: XS0168222056
ISIN for GBP 150m April 20: XS0216258177
New
Company name: Spark Finance Limited
Ticker codes: Remain unchanged
ISIN for GBP 125m May 18: Remains unchanged
ISIN for GBP 150m April 20: Remains unchanged
OTHER TELECOM GROUP COMPANIES' NAME CHANGES INTENDED TO BECOME EFFECTIVE ON 8
AUGUST 2014
Existing: Telecom New Zealand Limited
New: Spark New Zealand Trading Limited
Existing: Telecom Retail Holdings Limited
New: Spark Retail Holdings Limited
Existing: Telecom Data Centres Limited
New: Spark Data Centres Limited
Existing:Telecom Trustee Limited
New: Spark Trustee Limited
-ENDS-
For media queries, please contact:
Andrew Pirie
General Manager Corporate Relations +64 (0) 27 555 0275
For investor relations queries, please contact:
Mark Laing
General Manager Corporate Finance +64 (0) 27 227 5890
End CA:00252284 For:TEL Type:NAME Time:2014-07-01 10:54:33