One New Zealand has disclosed plans to launch EonFibre later this year, a fibre business dedicated to wholesale customers, including hyperscalers. The company aims to enhance the connectivity experience for businesses across New Zealand by optimising its fibre network and investing in technological capabilities.
CEO Jason Paris discussed the rationale behind this initiative: "With digital technology underpinning most of our everyday lives, there is strong demand for our fibre assets. EonFibre will be set up as a dedicated fibre business, to enable the new company to better serve our wholesale business fibre customers through further investment in its network and operational capabilities, and increased independence from our retail business."
EonFibre is designed to be a high-performing, cost-effective, secure, and resilient fibre service. Paris emphasised, "It'll have the technology and backing of One New Zealand, but will be focussed on delivering services to wholesale business customers."
One New Zealand's fixed digital infrastructure currently includes 11,000 km of fibre, a core backbone network, and metro fibre rings. This infrastructure provides connectivity to all leading data centres. Additionally, the company offers international connectivity through three fibre cables—TGA, Hawaiki, and Southern Cross—and domestic connectivity via Aqualink.
Richard Mooney, the incoming General Manager of EonFibre, highlighted the growing importance of telecommunications and connectivity infrastructure. "Telecommunications and connectivity infrastructure is now essential to everyday lives, connecting people and businesses, and Aotearoa to the world—particularly in an age where AI is becoming prevalent," he noted.
"Having greater independence from One New Zealand will enable us to maximise our fibre utilisation and valuation in a world where data consumption continues to skyrocket. The majority of New Zealand's internet traffic is delivered over fibre network infrastructure," he added.
Mooney elaborated on the company's goals: "Once operational, we want EonFibre to be NZ's leading fibre provider for the technology and wholesale business sector. EonFibre will operate and sell services via wholesale arrangements to other businesses including hyperscalers. It will encompass high-performing yet simplified products and digital tools, built for businesses not consumers."
The launch of EonFibre reflects One New Zealand's strategic commitment to strengthening its position in the wholesale fibre market. By establishing a dedicated fibre business, the company aims to better serve wholesale customers, including hyperscalers, with enhanced connectivity solutions. This move is poised to play a crucial role in supporting the increasing demand for reliable and high-performing fibre networks across New Zealand.
Although the exact operational date for EonFibre remains uncertain, it is anticipated to be launched before the end of 2024.
