2degrees and One NZ plan network

Radio access networks to merge in wholesale joint venture2degrees and One NZ say they plan to merge their radio access networks in a jointly-owned wholesale business.The transaction will be subject to approval from the Commerce Commission and the Overseas Investment Office. If they get the go ahead the companies aim to complete the project in the first half of 2027.A new company will manage shared physical assets like antennas and base stations. Both carriers will then buy network capacity back from the business.However, both companies will remain retail competitors. Each carrier will keep control of its own radio spectrum, core networks, fibre backhaul and satellite partnerships.Building on earlier relationshipThe deal builds on an earlier partnership. In 2020, 2degrees and Vodafone (now One NZ) signed a landmark infrastructure sharing agreement. That deal allowed 2degrees to run its radio equipment on roughly 200 of One NZ’s rural towers, ending national roaming in those areas.In…