NZ Telecom plans a $220 million switch project.(Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Ltd. changing telephone lines to internet protocols by forming joint venture with Compagnie Financiere Alcatel)(Brief Article)

Asia Pacific Telecom, October, 2005

New Zealand Telecom is planning to change all its telephone lines to Internet protocol platform within seven years. At the beginning of 2007, households will be on the new network, and all customer lines (1.7 million) will be switched onto the new platform by 2012. This $220 million project is a major step towards a $1.4 billion system conversion plan that will offer a combination of data, video, and voice services.

Alcatel and Telecom have formed a joint venture for VoIP network development. According to Telecom, the new voice service will modernize the telecom network in New Zealand as a conclusion of the five-year plan. According to Simon Moutter, CEO of Telecom, it will also decide the technology direction for Telecom.