Woolworths wants to become a 'full service' telco

Woolworths is gearing up to become a major telco player, revealing plans to offer fixed-line services and a desire to break into the “content services” space.

The supermarket giant said in a recruitment advertisement it is “now in the process of substantially growing [its] telecommunications presence in the Australian market”.

“Woolworths Mobile is … well on the way to becoming a full-service virtual network operator (VNO) that will offer a range of fixed and mobile services,” the company said.

“Customer service and loyalty will be enhanced through integration with Woolworths’ highly successful ‘Woolworths Rewards’ program and it is anticipated that at a later time content services will also be offered.”

Woolworths Mobile is presently a mobile virtual network operator on Telstra's network. It offers Woolworths-branded services on either a prepaid or postpaid basis.

A Woolworths spokesperson declined to comment to iTnews on whether the fixed line services it is “well on the way” to offering would cover NBN, ADSL or fixed voice services.

“We continue to enjoy a strong relationship with our partner Telstra and are constantly looking for further ways to bring great telco products to the market for our customers,” the Woolworths spokesperson said.

A Telstra spokesperson was unable to comment on whether Woolworths had sought an expanded partnership with the carrier to cover the resale of fixed-line as well as mobile services.

One potential avenue for an NBN wholesale service could be NBN Co directly. It was rumoured last year that NBN Co was working on a way to make it easier for Woolworths and other potential new entrants to offer NBN services.