Media company Fairfax New Zealand is branching out to launch an internet service provider business called Stuff Fibre.
Fairfax, which owns the country's biggest news website Stuff and major newspapers including the Dominion Post, is joining forces with New Zealand Fibre Communications, of which it owns 51 percent. The rest of the company is owned by Giant Management, which sports several telecommunications industry veterans.
Fairfax Media managing director Simon Tong said the new service would offer uncapped ultra fast broadband, unlimited data, and no fixed term contracts.
Fairfax is entering the broadband market. Photo: 123RF
"There is room for a fibre retailer that does things differently, and it makes sense to help solve problems faced by large pockets of our audience," Mr Tong said
Stuff Fibre is expected to launch within three months and details of consumer plans and pricing will be revealed in the next few weeks.
The company will not offer copper-based broadband or serve businesses, focusing instead fibre-optic ultrafast broadband for homes.
Stuff Fibre will be competing against ISPs including Spark and Vodafone.
Fairfax owns Christchurch newspaper The Press, a host of regional newspapers and an array of magazines, including Cuisine and TV Guide.
It is currently planning a merger with another major media group, APN News & Media, which owns the New Zealand Herald, and the Newstalk ZB radio network.
The merger is being considered by the Commerce Commission.
RNZ has a content sharing agreement with Stuff.
