Another of New Zealand's largest ISPs, Voyager, is about to close its doors in New Zealand.
An announcement is expected today.
IDGNet understands Voyager's parent company, Australia-based OzEmail, will cease to support its consumer customer base as of December 31. OzEmail will continue to support its corporate customers, however. OzEmail is in turn owned by UUNet, a division of US-based WorldCom.
Voyager general manager Bob Davis was unwilling to comment, saying he could neither "confirm nor deny" rumours at this stage.
"You're about three or four hours too early," says Davis.
Telecom's ISP, Xtra, will extend an offer to Voyager consumer customers to join Xtra.
"Xtra's made arrangements with Voyager's parent company which mean those customers who choose to join Xtra will get to keep their Voyager email address for the next six months," says spokesperson Matt Bostwick.
"That's not to say they have to join Xtra, that's entirely up to the customer. We're just saying we will have this special offer with the email address."
Bostwick says the terms of the agreement between Voyager and Xtra are confidential.
IDGNet understands the Voyager consumer staff will all be laid off in the move.
OzEmail did not immediately return IDGNet calls.
Asia Online, New Zealand's oldest ISP, was sold last month following the decision by its US-based parent company to cease funding. The Australian and Hong Kong divisions were also sold off.