• Netlinkz signs an agency agreement with New Zealand government-owned Kordia
  • Deal is for sale of Netlinkz security platform and Starlink internet transponders for New Zealand and Pacific markets
  • Netlinkz has built and continues to building similar Starlink/ NaaS partnership as it pursues growth strategy

 

Global network solutions vendor NetLinkz has inked an agency agreement with New Zealand government-owned Kordia for the sale of its security platform and Starlink internet transponders for the New Zealand and Pacific markets.

Netlinkz (ASX:NET) entered a reseller agreement in November 2022 with SpaceX to sell its Starlink satellite-based high-speed, low-latency broadband internet in 72 countries.

Kordia oversees and operates New Zealand’s communication infrastructure, encompassing fibre optic networks and transmission towers.

Previously a prominent radio and television broadcaster at the national level Kordia currently delivers free-to-air television services while also offering advisory solutions to enterprises and governmental bodies, including network design and cybersecurity.

NET says the deal opens the way for Kordia to bring business grade, high speed, low latency satellite communication services to its customers.

It says it will complement Kordia’s existing managed WAN services, and help the company provide better rural coverage to improve communication options for remote sites.

Under the agreement Kordia customers can acquire Starlink terminals, installation services, first level support, reporting and billing.

Customers can also access NET’s Starlink services and support through the Kordia network.

The agreement also provides priority support and in-country spares for rapid restoration when needed with Kordia able to provide both fixed, mobile, and maritime plans as well as professional installation option as part of the service.

 

Growing partnership list

NET’s agreement with Kordia complements similar Starlink/NaaS partnerships the company has including with Spark NZ, ALT Communications of Bangkok, HGC Global of Hong Kong and Philippines-based PT&T Corp.

The company in September launched a $12 million capital raise to restructure debt and fund its projects as it enters a “significant revenue and profit growth phase”.

NET head of satellite Stuart Dasler says Kordia’s 60-year history has given it deep customer relationships.

“It is an approved supplier to government in both New Zealand and Australia,” he says.

“We can definitely add value to Kordia’s role in a joint venture developing what may be a globally unique Public Safety Network.”

Dassler says initially the goal is securing 450 emergency service sites, but potentially this umbrella network will secure inter-operable communication across other front-line agencies like fire and police services, extending to other agencies and volunteers.

“Given our history of floods and bushfires, we Australians understand the critical importance of reliable communication in saving lives and property when natural disasters hit,” he says.

Kordia’s head of product Murray Goodman says the company is excited to offer NET’s Starlink business to its customers, especially those with operations in the more remote parts of New Zealand, and those that require mobile data options.

“Over the past year, extreme weather conditions have also demonstrated the value of additional access options to support business continuity, especially for mission critical communications,” he says.

Goodman says addition of Starlink to its existing network options, encompassing ultra-fast broadband, digital microwave and cellular data, means that Kordia customers now have access to unsurpassed coverage for business grade access, failover and diversity.

“Kordia’s Netlinkz Starlink service can provide primary access to areas where there is no ultra-fast broadband, and mobile coverage is poor for high-speed diversity and failover options,” he says.

Goodman says this opens new opportunities for industries that were previously held back by bandwidth limitations.

“Similarly, the usage is not restricted to land. We’re already discussing the use case for customers with maritime operations, for example adding connections for ferries or ships,” he says.

“There is also flexibility for short term use, such as in events, or in emergency situations, as well as a failover option for critical sites when other services are down.

“With weather conditions and natural disasters providing risk around communications, many of our customers with critical operations are eager to look at failover options that don’t rely on ultra-fast broadband or cellular.”

Goodman says as long as power is available, you can easily turn on Starlink to get communications up and running again in an event where other services are experiencing outages.

” Similarly, if you need pop-up internet for events, for example to run security cameras or Eftpos machines, or event management you can look at mobile options that will allow temporary access to Starlink for as long as you need it,” he says,

“The benefit of Kordia’s Netlinkz Starlink Business service is the better antenna technology which sees more satellites, the prioritised data and the management and support provided by Kordia and Netlinkz, compared to the residential service web-based support model.”

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Netlinkz, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

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