Over the last 18 months Covid-19 has changed the way we work, the way we interact and the way we do business. Remaining connected will help NZ business navigate through.
2degrees is in the business of connection, as a full-service telco offering mobile, broadband and other technology experiences. This focus on connection manifests itself in a few different ways at 2degrees, says Chief Business Officer Andrew Fairgray, and that’s through providing customers with a strong and reliable network, by building meaningful external partnerships, and by continuing to provide products and services that businesses want and need.
“We’re all about Fighting for Fair for Kiwi Business, and we see these three things as critical to supporting that purpose, as well as NZ Inc,” he says.
The 2degrees network:
Business connection, in or out of lockdown, starts with a strong network says Andrew, and in the Bay of Plenty region 2degrees has had consistent network coverage for some time, with 96% of the region where kiwis live and work covered by 2degrees’ 4G network.
The $1 billion spent on the network in recent years hasn’t gone unnoticed by customers either, with 2degrees taking out the Canstar Blue Small Business Telecommunications Most Satisfied Customers award for 2021. The award recognises a range of different drivers which contribute to customer satisfaction, including network, and 2degrees scored 5 out of 5 stars in this category, the most of any telco included in the survey results.
Meaningful partnerships:
2degrees has also made strong connections with external partners, particularly those with shared values of backing Kiwi businesses to thrive. One of these is Manaaki, a company started as a SME advice tool in the first nationwide lockdown last year. It has grown into a community that’s engaged with more than 300,000 New Zealanders to empower them with advice from business experts, content to upskill and grow, and networking opportunities.
“Prior to lockdown, we partnered with Manaaki to develop Kōrero with Manaaki, which gives business owners the opportunity to catch up with a Kiwi business expert to have a chat and learn from their insight and expertise,” says Andrew. “Once the country moved back to level four, we worked with Manaaki to get Kōrero out to more businesses, giving them expert advice when they most need it, on us.”
Providing business with products and services to keep them connected:
A recent iteration of the 2degrees Shaping Business Study highlighted that it was strong and reliable broadband, correct technology set-up and cloud security for protection that would keep business operating and connected through lockdowns and beyond. So, 2degrees business has been launching timely and relevant new products to market including an out-of-the-box software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) solution called Insight Network that simplifies the management and operation of a business’ WAN.
Insight Network provides organisations with network control and visibility, insights, data safety, and application prioritisation.
“We know more than ever before that businesses are exploring their options when it comes to the cloud and the opportunity SD-WAN brings. This solution is fully scalable and delivers what we know our customers are looking for, business efficiency, convenience and simplicity” Andrew says.
“Everything we do and deliver at 2degrees is so businesses can focus on what matters most, staying connected and doing business, whether in lockdown or not.”
Read: 2degrees network comes of age
