Telecom New Zealand (TNZ) is likely to decide the future of its...

Telecom New Zealand (TNZ) is likely to decide the future of its Australiasubsidiary AAPT by early March 2006. Spokesman Philip King has played downsuggestions that the NZ telco could exit the Australian market completely,saying it has many options for remaining in the market. While TNZ has indicatedthat at present it is not looking to sell AAPT, its options are believed toinclude an outright sale or an alliance with another telco. King adds that TNZhas received several "unsolicited inquiries" about AAPT, and hebelieves that rationalisation at the smaller end of the Australian market islikely

Telecom New Zealand (TNZ) is likely to decide the future of its Australiasubsidiary AAPT by early March 2006. Spokesman Philip King has played downsuggestions that the NZ telco could exit the Australian market completely,saying it has many options for remaining in the market. While TNZ has indicatedthat at present it is not looking to sell AAPT, its options are believed toinclude an outright sale or an alliance with another telco. King adds that TNZhas received several "unsolicited inquiries" about AAPT, and hebelieves that rationalisation at the smaller end of the Australian market islikely

Telecom New Zealand (NZ) is reviewing the future of its Australian subsidiary,AAPT. AAPT has struggled to make headway in the Australian market, with profitsfalling $A19 million to $A3 million in 2004-05. A number of potential suitors,such as Optus and Soul (formerly SP Telecommunications), are understood to haveheld discussions with Telecom NZ. Telecom NZ is being advised on the possiblesale, merger or business alliance by Citigroup

Telecom New Zealand (TNZ) is likely to decide the future of its Australiasubsidiary AAPT by early March 2006. Spokesman Philip King has played downsuggestions that the NZ telco could exit the Australian market completely,saying it has many options for remaining in the market. While TNZ has indicatedthat at present it is not looking to sell AAPT, its options are believed toinclude an outright sale or an alliance with another telco. King adds that TNZhas received several "unsolicited inquiries" about AAPT, and hebelieves that rationalisation at the smaller end of the Australian market islikely


Telecom New Zealand (TNZ) will review its troubled Australian business, AAPT.The uncertain global telecommunications market will be a factor in a review,making it unlikely that TNZ will sell all of the Australian operations. Chieffinancial officer, Marko Bogoievski, said that other options, such as mergers,business alliances and retention of assets, are more likely outcomes. AAPT has abook value of $A1.4 billion, but the estimates of analysts range between $A900million and $A256 million

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