Vodafone New Zealand chief executive Tim Miles says it would be technically possible for TelstraClear to continue to use Vodafone's mobile network, but add its own intelligence and service platform.
However, he says, "the issue is would it be commercial?".
TelstraClear plans to issue a tender later this week for a possible new mobile network, which it would operate following the ending of its existing reseller arrangement with Vodafone in 15 months' time.
TelstraClear chief executive Rosemary Howard says a full new network is only one option and alternatives include partnering or leveraging off an existing mobile network.
Offering a full, seamless service covering fixed line and mobile has long been a goal of TelstraClear, which presently offers mobile services by reselling Vodafone's, using numbers with the 029 prefix.
Vodafone's Miles says the day when TelstraClear might end the reseller arrangement "is a long time out; there's a lot of water to go under the bridge yet".
If TelstraClear does choose to build its own network, or leverage off Telecom's, "we'd be disappointed, but it wouldn't be cataclysmic.
"We have a very large consumer customer base that TelstraClear plays a limited role in.
"They're very active in the corporate market, but not the SME [small to medium enterprise] one."
TelstraClear's Howard says the request for information is "less prescriptive" than many tender documents and the intention is to see what's available in terms of stand-alone networks and working with other network operators.