2degrees

Big news from 2degrees. Today we announced a proposal to establish a joint venture with One New Zealand to combine our radio access networks (RAN). Why? Because building networks in Aotearoa isn't easy, and sharing infrastructure where it makes sense means we can invest more efficiently and deliver: 📶 Better coverage, especially in rural and regional NZ 🚀 Faster rollout of 5G and future tech 💪 A stronger, more resilient network We have lodged an application with the Commerce Commission to establish a network infrastructure joint venture with One NZ, combining our mobile radio access network infrastructure into a jointly owned entity. This will support more efficient investment in mobile infrastructure, helping deliver better coverage, more capacity, faster rollout of new technologies like 5G, and a more resilient network for New Zealanders. Importantly, 2degrees and One NZ would continue to operate as fully independent mobile network operators, competing strongly in retail and wholesale markets. Our CEO Mark Callander said: “New Zealand can be a challenging country in which to build mobile networks. Sharing the infrastructure where it makes sense means we can deliver even more of the things that matter to customers: better coverage, greater capacity, stronger resilience and faster access to new technology. “This is about 2degrees building an even better mobile network for New Zealand and further enabling strong competition across the industry. 2degrees and One will remain independent businesses, competing hard for customers on price, products, service and innovation.” You can read more about the proposal in our press release here: https://lnkd.in/eeEbUgdT

Six months ago, in a field in Marton New Zealand, we started building a ground station that would communicate with AST SpaceMobile satellites more than 500km above us. Yesterday we officially opened the facility. We also recorded the construction - here's six months of hard work distilled to two minutes. Enjoy!

Just days ago, I made one of the first test calls through this site from Marton. This week, I was back to officially open the 2degrees Marton Satellite Ground Station. It was a special moment to see something that has been many months in the making come to life — through a significant investment by @2degrees, the hard work of our teams and partners, and a shared belief that New Zealanders should be able to stay connected in remote areas. The AST SpaceMobile technology works directly with the 2degrees network, opening up new possibilities for connectivity in places where traditional mobile coverage can be difficult to deliver. A big thank you to the Honourable Paul Goldsmith Minister for Media and Communications and Minister for Space, Ngāti Apa for the warm welcome and blessing of the site, Mayor Andy Watson, and everyone across AST SpaceMobile and 2degrees who has helped bring this to life. Proud of what we’ve achieved together — and even more excited about where it could take us next. Let's keep pushing.

Today, we celebrate the official opening of the 2degrees Marton Satellite Ground Station – one of the first commercial AST SpaceMobile ground stations in the world. This marks a major step toward us offering 2degrees satellite connectivity. Behind this milestone is significant work from our teams and partners. We’ve invested in locally supported, in-country infrastructure at Marton and integrated it with the global AST SpaceMobile network and our own. We have successfully made voice calls, video calls, and sent SMS and used data over the service, and are excited about what this will enable for our customers. We’re preparing for a future where customers can move easily between terrestrial and satellite networks - extending connectivity to remote roads, farms, backcountry, communities and workers where conventional infrastructure has been difficult or uneconomic to deploy. We’re proud to be among the early movers globally - because it’s only fair that more Kiwis can stay connected, wherever they are.

We’re proud to celebrate Xuanyi （Vicky） Wang, winner of the Innovation Award at the Women @ 2degrees Awards. Vicky is a Senior Business Intelligence Analyst who partners closely with teams across the business to turn complex data into insights that support better decision-making. “I enjoy working at the intersection of data, analytics, and people,” she says - a space where problem-solving is grounded in real business outcomes. Her interest in tech grew from a love of logical thinking, but it was seeing data influence day-to-day decisions that truly shaped her career. “Seeing insights influence decision making and drive meaningful change sparked my passion for building solutions that are both technically robust and highly relevant to real business challenges.” Along the way, Vicky has also learned that technical expertise alone isn’t what creates impact. “Even in highly technical roles, understanding the business is just as important as technical expertise. You’re not just working with data, you’re working with people.” That perspective has shaped how she approaches her work and how she thinks about representation in tech. Reflecting on recognition like this, Vicky hopes it helps tech feel more accessible to others, especially women early in their careers. “I hope recognition like this helps make tech feel more visible and attainable,” she says, noting that the way people learn and grow in tech is changing. “By leveraging AI, it has become easier to learn on the job, test ideas, and bridge skill gaps without needing everything figured out from day one.” A true example of what it means to Be Bold. Congratulations, Vicky!

Get new starters connected, faster.   Have a new starter? 2degrees Flex speeds up their mobile connection setup, so their device is ready to go from day one. In just a few clicks, businesses can order phones, accessories and SIMs, choose plans, set up a new number or bring an existing one across, all in one platform. And with templated setup options, repeat orders become even faster, so new hires spend less time onboarding and more time getting to business. Save time. Get to Business. https://lnkd.in/et2GZwCb

A sea of blue at Go Media Stadium 💙 At our first Black Ferns match since becoming an official sponsor of New Zealand Rugby, we were proud to showcase the SupportHER Line at the Black Ferns v Wallaroos game, bringing our message of positive sideline support to thousands of rugby fans. Fans walked the SupportHER Line on entry, shared their favourite messages of encouragement at our photo booth, saw the blue line wrapped around the field and joined us in backing the Black Ferns on a memorable day for women's rugby. The SupportHER Line is about helping supporters understand the difference between encouragement and pressure, and the important role they play in creating positive sporting environments for girls. Because when girls hear the right messages from the sidelines, they're more likely to enjoy sport, build confidence, and stay involved. #FightingForFair

This week, we had the pleasure of welcoming students from Southern Cross Campus to 2degrees for ShadowTech Day. Run by Tech Women New Zealand, ShadowTech gives secondary school students the opportunity to experience what a career in technology can look like by connecting with people working across a wide range of roles and disciplines. As part of Tongan Language Week, we were also grateful to have a special welcome and introduction from Fay Taumoepeau, with Jason Reti-Thompson, helping set the tone for a day focused on learning, connection and opportunity. The students heard from four of our incredible women in tech, Siying Huang, Cara Talbot, Xuanyi （Vicky） Wang Wang and Samantha Toia Ineleo , who shared their career journeys, lessons learned along the way, and honest advice about building confidence, embracing new opportunities, and finding your own path in technology. The discussion highlighted that there is no single route into tech, and that curiosity, resilience and a willingness to keep learning can take you a long way. As one student reflected after the day, "It felt refreshing learning new things in a work environment. I would love to come back and learn more." In the afternoon, students explored our Tech Expo, where teams from RAN, Data & AI, Software, Testing, Platforms, Business, Marketing Insights, SNOC, Consumer, and Network DevOps showcased the work they do and the impact technology has across our business We wrapped up the day with a keynote from Varsha Chandkapure on the opportunities and potential of AI and how to use it ethically. A big thank you to TechWomen New Zealand and everyone across 2degrees who shared their time, knowledge and passion throughout the day.

We have implemented the Malware Free Networks service run by the National Cyber Security Centre, to further help keep our customers safe online. The service offers automatic, network-level protection that blocks connections to known malicious sites before customers reach them. The NCSC identifies malicious domains, web addresses and IP addresses targeting New Zealanders and shares them with partners such as 2degrees, who then block them on their own networks. For 2degrees customers, the protection is on by default (provided you are using 2degrees DNS). There is no sign-up, no app, no settings change and no extra cost. 2degrees GM Security Ivan Reutskiy says the service adds a practical layer of protection for customers. "Security shouldn't be a premium product or something only the tech-savvy get, so we've turned this on for everyone by default,” says Reutskiy. “We want to protect all our customers, particularly those most at risk who are usually the least equipped to spot a convincing scam. If one of our customers taps a known malicious link in a scam text or email, this threat intelligence can often stop the connection before any damage is done." He notes that like any protection mechanism, it is not a substitute for staying alert, and encourages customers to learn more about cyber security at https://lnkd.in/gtYt6eqf.