Clearance sought for 2degrees & One NZ to form joint venture to operate radio ac…
The Commerce Commission has received an application relating to a proposed joint venture that would own and operate the Radio Access Network (RAN) assets currently owned by Two Degrees Mobile Limited and Two Degrees Networks Limited (together, 2degrees) and One New Zealand Group Limited (One NZ).
The proposed joint venture would be jointly owned by 2degrees and One NZ.
2degrees and One NZ both operate mobile networks across New Zealand. These networks enable each of them to provide mobile and broadband services to retail and wholesale customers. The infrastructure that 2degrees and One NZ use to operate their respective mobile networks requires RAN assets. At present, 2degrees and One NZ own and operate their own RAN assets. However, under the proposed joint venture, these assets would be jointly owned and operated by 2degrees and One NZ.
The Commission has today published a statement of preliminary issues in relation to the application. The statement outlines the key competition issues that the Commission considers important in deciding whether to grant clearance to the proposed joint venture.
The Commission invites interested parties to provide comments on the likely competitive effects of the proposed joint venture. Submissions can be sent by email to registrar@comcom.govt.nz with the reference ‘Proposed RANCo JV – 2degrees/One NZ’ in the subject line. Any submissions should be received by close of business on 15 October 2026.
The Commission is currently scheduled to make a decision on the application by 23 November 2026. However, this date may be extended with the agreement of the applicants if the material before the Commission at that time does not allow it to be satisfied that the proposed acquisition will not have, or would not be likely to have, the effect of substantially lessening competition in a market in New Zealand.
The Statement of Preliminary Issues and a public version of the application can be found on the case register on our website.
Background
RAN assets comprise the physical equipment that is installed on cell towers and primarily includes antennae, cables, remote radio equipment, power equipment and base station equipment. All mobile network operators use RAN assets to connect their end-users to the services they provide using their radio spectrum allocations and core networks.
We will only give clearance to a proposed merger if we are satisfied that the merger is unlikely to have the effect of substantially lessening competition in a market.
Further information explaining how the Commission assesses a merger application is available on our website.